Key Takeaways
- Limoneira and Agromin have finalized definitive agreements for a 50/50 joint venture to build a 70-acre commercial composting facility in Santa Paula, California.
- The facility will be the only permitted commercial composting center in Ventura County and is projected to process approximately 295,000 tons of organic waste annually.
- Operations are expected to begin in the second half of fiscal year 2027, with revenue from gate fees, compost sales, and site lease income.
- The project supports California's Senate Bill 1383 mandates for organic waste diversion and greenhouse gas reduction.
- The joint venture is expected to divert roughly 75% of Ventura County's landfilled organic waste to the new facility.
Limoneira and Agromin Seal 50/50 Joint Venture
Limoneira Company (Nasdaq: LMNR), a diversified lemon and avocado grower, has signed definitive agreements with California Wood Recycling, Inc., doing business as Agromin, to form a 50/50 joint venture. The agreement follows a letter of intent announced in April 2025 and represents a significant step in Limoneira's diversification strategy.
The joint venture will develop a 70-acre commercial composting center on Limoneira-owned land in Santa Paula, California. The facility expands on an existing 15-acre green waste composting operation to create a comprehensive organic recycling center — and, notably, the only permitted commercial composting center in Ventura County.
Limoneira Site to Process Nearly 300,000 Tons Annually
At full capacity, the facility is projected to process approximately 295,000 tons of organic waste per year, including both green waste and food waste. Operations are expected to commence in the second half of fiscal year 2027. Revenue streams will include gate fees paid by waste haulers delivering organic material, as well as proceeds from compost sales to agricultural buyers.
Limoneira will lease the 70-acre site to the joint venture for approximately $560,000 annually, with the agreement also providing 89 acre-feet of annual water supply to the facility.
Addressing California's SB 1383 Compliance Challenge
The facility is designed to directly support California's efforts to meet Senate Bill 1383 targets for organic waste diversion and greenhouse gas reduction. The permitting process for handling both green and food waste took 15 years to complete. The joint venture is expected to divert approximately 75% of Ventura County's landfilled organic waste to the new site over the next 50 years.
“The completion of this joint venture agreement represents a transformational milestone for Limoneira as we execute our diversification strategy and build new platforms for scalable growth,” said Harold Edwards, president and CEO of Limoneira Company.
Agromin Brings Statewide Recycling Expertise to Limoneira Partnership
Agromin currently recycles organic waste for more than 200 cities across California. Bill Camarillo, CEO of Agromin, said the partnership combines Limoneira's agricultural expertise with Agromin's organic recycling capabilities to create a facility demonstrating how agriculture and waste management can work together.
Edwards noted that the arrangement allows Limoneira to put underutilized land and conserved water to productive use while supporting regenerative agriculture through compost and mulch produced on-site.
