Santa Barbara County growers are diversifying their crops by adding agave plants, creating a new agricultural opportunity.

"Aren't they just gorgeous!" said Ane Diaz, Agave Council board member.

Diaz knows agaves well. Since 2019, she has grown more than 20,000 plants on 11 acres that once grew avocados. Her farm focuses on seven varieties, with a practical approach to selection.

"Mostly we concentrated on the agaves that we like to drink," Diaz said.

Agave spirits rank as the world's second-most popular alcohol, but the plant offers more than just a drink.

"We learned about the power of the agave as a fire retardant. It's not like it's going to stop your fire, but it holds the fire," she said.

Diaz is one of more than 100 farmers statewide who have planted agave in the last five yea

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