Maureen Cottingham, Camlam Farms

Maureen Cottingham is part of the sixth generation of family-owned and operated Camlam Farms, in Camarillo, CA. She grew up on the farm, where her family grows avocados and lemons. Although she didn’t intend to return to the family fold after college, she’s back in the fertile Santa Rosa Valley and is poised to take the reins of the business when her uncle and father retire.

Q: Tell us about growing up on the farm, your college years, and early career.

I attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Agri-Business. Then, moved to Sonoma Valley to work for the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance, a marketing and educational trade organization.

Q: What was your planned career path? What made you decide to return to the family farm?    

I cannot say I had an exact path laid out, but I always pictured myself being in agriculture. My family invited me to be a part of our family business as they began developing a succession plan.

I was absolutely humbled and honored to be asked to join our family’s operation. My husband and I were expecting our third child at the time we moved from Sonoma. We were so grateful for the opportunity to raise our children closer to immediate family and to be in Camarillo, where our roots run deep.

Q: What were your initial goals after coming back to the farm? How have they evolved a few years in?

My goal is to learn as much as I possibly can within the first five years of being on the ranch—to be a sponge and soak in every piece of knowledge I can from my uncle, my dad, our ranch foreman, and all of our guys.

I want to try everything at least once. There are still a few things I haven’t done yet—I haven’t driven a tractor and I haven’t pruned an avocado tree, but I will soon!

Q: What skill, trait, or mindset is most important in running a family farm?

Have patience, be a good listener, and then a good communicator. Think outside the box. Success comes from intentional action. The families that thrive across generations plan with intention and purpose and adapt when needed.

My uncle recently quoted my grandfather, saying, “A farmer’s footsteps are the best fertilizer.” It’s a reminder that life on the ranch is beautiful, and getting out of the office and into the groves is essential. It truly makes all the difference.

Q: What do you find most challenging as you approach taking over?

We have the same challenges any agricultural family in California faces, including keeping our operation in production while continuing to be fiscally sound.

We have to constantly make room in our day-to-day to keep an eye on continuous improvement and not getting bogged down by all the regulations and paperwork all farmers must face. Our family is proud of our farming tradition, but to keep that tradition alive, we must remain profitable.

Q: Do you know many women in similar roles? Do you think it’s more difficult for women to succeed in farming?  

I have many female friends in similar roles throughout Ventura County and across California. I don’t believe it’s more difficult to succeed as a woman in farming.

For me, it’s about waking up every day with a genuine passion to farm and to continue our tradition of growing California avocados and citrus. Anyone, male or female, who has a passion for their career is positioned well to succeed.

Q: How would you describe your leadership style? What’s the best way to motivate others when things get tough?

Running a farm presents unique challenges daily, making effective leadership essential. We face unpredictable weather, fluctuating market prices, and evolving regulations—all of which require us to constantly shift priorities and adapt.

I consider myself a passionate leader committed to our long-term vision as a family operation. Each day, I work alongside our team to achieve our goals, ensuring we stay aligned with our management principles to boost productivity and profitability.

I also recognize that farming is hard work, and I believe it’s important to celebrate our successes and acknowledge the contributions of those involved—many with over 40 years on our ranch.

At the end of the day, it’s important to remind ourselves: “Teamwork makes the dream work!” for both Team Lamb Family and Team Camlam Farms. We work together to make it all happen.

Q: As a grower of lemons and avocados, what types of seasonal or annual goals do you set?

As California avocado and citrus growers, we’re committed to growing the best quality avocados and citrus every step of the way by focusing on responsible, sustainable farming practices, the well-being of our workers, and supporting our local community.

Each season, our primary goal remains the same: to grow a healthy and delicious crop we’re proud to send to market. We work to maximize our yields while achieving profitability.

Annually, we focus on implementing effective management practices—optimizing our irrigation and nutrient application, controlling pests and diseases, and maintaining healthy, well-pruned trees.

Throughout the year, we stay responsive to both market demands and the challenges (or opportunities) presented by Mother Nature.

Q: Camlam Farms currently grows Hass, Lamb Hass, and GEM avocados, how often do you collaborate with universities or others to trial new varieties?

Right now, we’re not trialing any new varieties; however, we are trialing new rootstocks with the University of California, Riverside.

We have a long history of being a cooperator with the university, which is where the Lamb Hass, GEM, Sir Prize, Luna, and BL1058, as well as others, were developed.

Q: Does the farm do the same thing with lemons?

No, we don’t do a lot of work with universities with our citrus. In the citrus world, much of the work is being done with private nurseries. As a result, there’s not a huge need for growers to be involved in research like we are with avocado field trials.

Q: How do you measure the productivity or longevity of a lemon or avocado tree? How do you help an ailing tree?

Avocado and citrus trees have a long production life if they’re well maintained. The life of the orchard is assumed to be 40 to 50 years.  

By consistently monitoring fruit yield and observing each tree’s overall health and vigor, we can track productivity levels by tree count and spacing to get an average yield per acre. We keep our trees in production by using fertilizers to maintain nutrient-rich soil, pruning regularly, and closely monitoring irrigation schedules.

We really view our family as stewards of the land and use agricultural practices to ensure the longevity of our land and help produce premium quality, locally grown fruit.

Q: How often is the wind machine used to protect trees from frost or freezing temperatures?

We use our wind machines every year. Frost season typically starts in November and may last until March, depending on the year. Typically, there will be at least 10 days we use wind machines during those months, and each time the machines will be used on average 6 to 8 hours.

Q: Does the Santa Rosa Valley area struggle with the availability of water like other parts of California?

Yes, we struggle with water. Fortunately, we have multiple sources, though some are very expensive.

Our groundwater here at Camlam Farms is extremely high in chlorides and not always ideal for avocados. Tertiary effluent water is another source of water we buy from the water district. Rain helps recharge our groundwater basins, and we’re hopeful we can continue to rely on them as a source.

Q: What’s most challenging when growing lemons or avocados: weather, water, labor, or the cost of inputs, packing materials, and shipping?

All of the above! Each factor presents its own challenges. That said, we can typically plan around water availability and labor—developing a strategy and sticking to it as closely as possible.

The rising costs of inputs, picking, and packing all contribute to the complexity and difficulty of growing specialty crops in California. However, weather can be the most unpredictable and difficult to manage, especially in Ventura County, where drought and extreme temperatures are common.

Q: What are your goals for Camlam Farms for the next five years? Is there a possibility of expansion, such as agritourism or u-pick days?

In five years, I hope we’re embracing technology as well as still being able to prioritize sustainable farming practices that allow us to be a top producer in a thriving California avocado industry.

We aim to plant additional areas as we see the opportunity. As far as agritourism or u-pick days, the economics don’t pencil out for our farm, but…never say never.

Q: What’s your favorite dish with lemons? Avocados?

This is the hardest question of all! My mom makes the best lemon meringue pie in the world and dad and any of the Lamb family members make the best guacamole, of course. My sister and aunt make the best lemon bars.

But to top all of that, my favorite avocado is the one cut open in the middle of a California avocado grove, scooped out with my pocketknife.

Q: Where do you see yourself in a decade?

Standing in the middle of Camlam Farms amongst the thriving avocado and citrus trees alongside our growing, healthy family in Ventura County, California.

Q: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Agriculture matters! It matters today and for all of our futures. Buy California!

Editor’s Note: A special thank you to the California Avocado Commission BB #:145028 and Curious Plot for hosting an amazing tour of Camlam Farms back in April, which inspired this interview and even more love of avocados!