The article is not very clear, Passanisi is the "new guy", that started planting avocados in 2001, whilst Continella is his "mentor" (he is - unless there is an

The article is not very clear, Passanisi is the "new guy", that started planting avocados in 2001, whilst Continella is his "mentor" (he is - unless there is an homonymy - an actual Professor at the University of Catania, seemingly specialized in cultivation of tropical or sub-tropical plants): http://www.di3a.unict.it/docenti/alberto.continella http://www.di3a.unict.it/docenti/alberto.continella and this latter's father started the avocado business in the '60s. Again, unless it is a case of homonymy, a relative (possibly the father) of the professor is (was) also a Professor at the University: https://www.freshplaza.it/article/100112/Prospettive-per-i-frutti-tropicali-In-Sicilia-sono-presenti-fin-dal-1957/ https://www.freshplaza.it/article/100112/Prospettive-per-i-f... They are all from the same small area (Giarre, near Catania) which actually has a very warm micro-climate (long before any possible measurable effects of climate change) though I believe it is border-line in winter due to the effect of snow on the Etna, it seems like Mr. Passanisi, besides the actual cultivation, is dedicated to the "brand" siciliaavocado.