Limoneira Ranch recently sponsored a Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA) mixer attended by members and their guests. Special guest was Peter Foy, Chairman of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

Limoneira Public Relations Director John Chamberlain hosted the mixer that was designed for VCEDA members to develop a deeper understanding of the businesses and their industry. VCEDA Chair Ellen Brown of Volt Workforce Solutions told guests about its mission to advocate for businesses in Ventura County and help them in any way with legislative matters, permitting and outreach.

Agromin President and CEO Bill Camarillo spoke, sharing his company’s plans for a biogenetic energy park that will convert food waste into renewable energy. Agromin, which currently operates a 9.6-acre facility at Limoneira where it tests new soil amendments processed from yard waste, recently submitted an application to expand the facility to 40 acres, Camarillo told approximately 60 attendees.

Camarillo added the proposed project with strategic partners Limoneira and Harrison Industries will increase landfill diversion from the current 80,000 tons per year to 140,000 tons a year. It also will assist the County of Ventura and cities in the county to achieve a 75 percent recycling rate, Camarillo said, and comply with the mandates of Assembly Bill 32 that requires cities and counties to reduce greenhouse gases by 29 percent by 2020.

In addition, Limoneira’s Chamberlain discussed the ranch’s plans for a new master-planned community on approximately 500 acres that in addition to 1,500 homes will include services, schools, hiking trails and athletic facilities.

Peter Foy talked to the crowd about what was happening in the county and also gave a thumbs-up for the new County Chief Administrative Officer Mike Powers. Foy said Powers is effectively dealing with economic vitality in a business friendly way – helping new and concerned businesses through the many government processes. Foy stayed to individually talk to VCEDA members and to answer questions and concerns.