. >> so the couple learned as they went along, everything from soil science to irrigation techniqu. and before they knew it, they had developed a thriving avocado orchard along the way. they now have 8,500 avocado trees, trees that have come to mean more to the couple than they ever could have imagined. >> we like to think that we have 8,500 employees working for us here at the facility on our area. and we like to thinkf every tree as really an individual with its own personality. >> my husband calls them employees, but they're kind of like my babies. and anytime anything happens to them we feel horrible. and you see when a tree is stressed and you have to take care of it. and if any of them die, ycu feel bad. you feel really bad. so you want to take care of them as best you can. >> and those 8,500 employees continue to work hard for linda and mark who continue to dote on them. they hope to harvest about 15,000 pounds of fruit per acre this season alone. ea@h avocado is handpicked, making sure the stem is trimmed off so it doesn't scrape or bruise other avocados when it is packed. a

lessons in irrigation, planting techniques and creating a business plan. >> plants and i go together. >> if we can help one person be better off than he was before, mission accomplished. >> reporter: archie's acres helped nearly 100 combat veterans plant the seeds for a better future, no longer fighting for our country, but working to feed it. miguel almaguer, nbc news, california. >>> that is our broadcast on a thursday night. thank you for being here with us. i'm brian williams. of course, we hope to see you back here tomorrow evening. good night. >>> good evening, thanks for joining us on this thursday. i'm ran math thigh. >> i'm jessica aguirre. >>> fallout tonight following an exclusive report from the nbc bay area investigative unit. today, san jose employee unions filed a formal ethics complaint against high-ranking san jose officials, including the mayor. >> our watchdog reporter exposed the story last night and the tonight there are a lot of

lessons in irrigation, planting techniques and creating a business plan. >> plants and i go together.lp one person be better off than he was before, mission accomplished. >> reporter: archie's acres helped nearly 100 combat veterans plant the seeds for a better future, no longser fighting for our country, but learning to feed it. miguel almaguer, nbc news, california. >>> that is our broadcast on a thursday night. thank you for being here with us. i'm brian williams. of course, we hope to see you back here tomorrow evening. good night.