More than 50 years ago, brothers Rodney and Don Stackhouse started farming together in the fertile San Joaquin Valley in California. Second generation orchardists, they grew up on their farm and have spent their whole lives growing only the very best quality fruit and nuts. Stackhouse Orchards is family owned and operated and has a personal, family farm approach that ensures premium quality and consistency. It is truly a family run operation. Rod can be found out among his trees every day, while his daughter and grandson, Kristi and Nick, and the rest of the family manage and work the markets.
The brothers decided to begin growing almonds in the late 1970s, while continuing the family tradition of growing cannery peaches. A cannery strike in the early 1980s was the catalyst for Stackhouse to start selling at farmers markets for the first time. They now sell their seasoned and spiced almonds, fresh and dried fruit at more than 30 farmers’ markets along the Central Coast.
With over 250 acres of orchards between Hickman and Hughson, California, Stackhouse Orchards has honed the art of growing and harvesting. They use pheromones and oil to control pests, have a special method of mowing to keep weeds at bay, and use compost to improve the quality of the soil. They rely on natural predators to protect the almond trees without using harsh pesticides. Letting grasses grow between trees encourages the natural predators such as spiders, lacewings, and wasps to flourish.
Almonds, some sweet, some spicy and some just as Nature made them.
