How we got here.

I came to the United States in 1978 from Central Mexico. I was a young kid, and we had relatives who lived and worked here in the Central Valley. I was fortunate enough to find a job with a local citrus grower, and he taught me all about growing citrus. The more I learned, the more I knew I wanted to one day work with my own citrus. I eventually planted my first orange tree in 1992, and now own about 100 acres of citrus.

The next generation.

My parents were farmers in Mexico, and I have three daughters, ages 13, eight, and four. They love to be out here in the citrus groves, helping me to check the water lines or to keep an eye on the trees for pests or disease. The girls are still small, but hopefully someday they’ll continue the tradition. When I see how much they enjoy it, I have to believe that at least one of them will take over and become a citrus farmer.

What I love about being a Sunkist grower.

From the moment I started growing citrus, I fell in love with everything about it. I love Mother Nature, and being outdoors all day. I love grafting and planting the trees and watching them grow. Citrus is such a beautiful tree, the color, the blossoms, the aroma. That’s what got me into it, and that’s what I still love today.

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