Thomas Schoenberg arrived at Rancho Cielo Thanksgiving weekend 1986, with his dog Lady by his side. His love for the land, the trees, the avocados, the bees and the water that runs through this mountain side is unparalleled.
Tom knew early in his life the outdoors is where he was the most content. The third of 6 children, Tom spent many of his childhood years outdoors with the Boy Scouts where he learned about the land and how to care for it. Stewardship is the forefront of everything he does.
He graduated from St John's University with a degree in Biology and was accepted into the Wildlife Management Program at the Colorado State University, Fort Collins where he completed a 2-year study on Sage Grouse. When the decision needed to be made, 'do I go onto a PhD program or start working'? Tom knew his days of sitting at a desk under fluorescent lights was not the route for him. He took a job on a 100,000-acre cattle ranch at 8,000 feet in Kremlin, Colorado where he tended to 2,500 cattle for 4 calving seasons.
In the late summer of 1986 an avocado ranch in Montecito, California was in need of a leader. Not familiar with Santa Barbara or avocados, Tom could see this was an opportunity like no other and accepted the position of Rancho Cielo, Manager. The heartbreak of leaving the cattle ranch was led by the goodbye of his beloved horses, Oh Yeah, Lickety-Split & Yeah Who.
The dedication to ranching is also met by his colleagues. Tom along with his senior team have 140 years' experience in avocado ranching. Growing avocado trees on the side of a mountain is not for everyone, but they do it, brilliantly! They bring knowledge and mentorship to the younger generation. They have planted over 30,000 trees and run miles of irrigation. Creating ranch roads, cycad gardens, cactus gardens and so much more are all examples of Tom's contributions to the ranch. Tom is a studious record keeper; he has collected 40 years of data that we still review and compare. His work is unprecedented.
Tom and his wife, Christine, raised their children at Rancho Cielo, and they are now a proud "Papacado" & Mimi to their grandchild. His dear Mother had hoped that Tom would become the family doctor, but we are so proud and grateful to call him our Avocado Tom.
Thank you Tom.