Sierra Orchards, Winters, CA (Solano County)
Can you tell us about your background and how you got into farming?
I am a second-generation walnut grower in Solano County. I grew up on our family farm, Sierra Orchards, and now work here fulltime, alongside my parents and one of my brothers, Sean.
The farming operation began with my parents. In 1980, they purchased land and transitioned to orchard farming, starting Sierra Orchards. Although I didn’t initially plan to become a farmer, my career path led me back to agriculture. After earning a degree in environmental science and policy from Brown University, my first post-grad job was for an ag tech startup where I traveled throughout California’s expansive and diverse farmland. That experience not only gave me a deep appreciation for California’s agricultural economy and for family farms but also allowed me to realize how special Solano and Yolo County are and the importance of my own family farm. I later earned a master’s degree in environmental management and Ecosystem Science from Duke University, graduating in 2020 and returning to the family farm that year.
What crops do you currently grow, and how is your acreage divided?
Our farm, Sierra Orchards, is 450 acres in total, including 267 acres of walnuts and 80 acres of almonds. We also lease about 12 acres for fruit trees and have an acre of olive trees. We rotationally graze our sheep throughout our orchards, and our walnut and olive operation is certified regenerative organic.
What’s your role as part of your operation?
Because it’s a family farm, I wear many hats. My parents remain involved in the farm, as well as my brother, Sean, who is the farm manager. Both Sean and I have stepped into more active management and administrative roles over the last several years. I also lead efforts to diversify sales channels and promote the farm’s regenerative organic practices.
I lead marketing and branding for the farm to try to find more markets through which we can reach our customers and diversify our product streams and market avenues. For the last 45 years, we always sold our organic walnuts to a larger distributor who then distributes them to stores like Costco and Trader Joe’s. During the pandemic, I helped the farm pivot to include direct-to-consumer sales, partnering with GoodSam Foods as their sole walnut supplier. We also sell to local boutiques and restaurants, while still maintaining a strong relationship with our distributors.
What drives your passion for agriculture, and how has your experience shaped your work on the farm?
My passion is rooted in my family’s legacy and my academic background and experiences. While with California Safe Soil, I fully realized the special and unique aspects of our farm and what my parents have created in the last 45 years. Over the last decade, I’ve built a broader perspective on sustainability, which I now apply to the farm. Farming alongside my family and our incredible farm team gives me a strong sense of purpose, and I truly couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.
Have you implemented any innovations or changes in your operation? Sustainability practices? Organic?
Yes, Sierra Orchards is a pioneer in organic walnut production, having transitioned to organic in the 1990s. Today, we are certified regenerative organic and were one of the first walnut operations to obtain this certification. I am also involved in researching and implementing more sustainable irrigation techniques and monitoring irrigation and water use. We work closely with CAFF and UCD as well as other public and private institutions to support research and scientific education. At any time, we have several research projects taking place on the farm. Aside from irrigation efficiency and solar, we also rotationally graze sheep through our orchards which reduces deiseal use and manual labor.
What’s next for Sierra Orchards?
We meet twice a week as a little family farm unit, and the question of the future is always at the forefront of our agenda. We are constantly thinking about strengthening our resiliency to a changing climate market volatility. We are exploring additional value-added goods and how we can more fairly share our land and resources with our community. Always, we are committed to balancing proper land stewardship with financial sustainability so that we can continue to thrive and farm with sustainable practices, while ensuring our farm team is supported and that we continue to give back and feed people with high-quality, nutrient-dense foods.
How do you see the next generation of farmers in your family?
My husband and I are raising our daughter on the farm, and my brother and his family live on the property too. While it’s too early to know our children’s futures, we are actively planning for long-term succession with our parents. We have participated in succession planning and are working with professionals to ensure a smooth transition for future generations.
Any other thoughts you would like to share?
Don’t forget to refrigerate your walnuts for a longer lasting, high-quality taste!
