ROSEVILLE, CA - Behind every California prune are the farmers and farmworkers whose knowledge, skill, and dedication make each harvest possible. As California Farmer & Farmworker Month draws attention to the people who sustain the state's agricultural industry, it also offers an opportunity to recognize the expertise, hard work, and contributions of those who bring premium quality California prunes from orchard to tables around the world.
Generations of farming families in California now produce virtually all the nation's prunes and a significant share of the global supply, with approximately 400 growers farming more than 40,000 acres across the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. These orchards reflect a rich agricultural heritage built on experience, innovation, and a shared commitment to quality.
Producing California prunes requires year-round attention and a deep understanding of the land. From winter pruning and spring bloom to orchard management, irrigation and harvest, each stage of production depends on careful planning and hands-on expertise. Farmers and farmworkers play a vital role throughout this process, helping maintain healthy orchards and ensure each crop meets the industry's high standards.
“California prunes are the result of an extraordinary amount of hard work, knowledge, and care from the people who grow and harvest them,” said Kiaran Locy, VP of Brand Strategy & Communications for the California Prune Board, in the recent release. “Our farmers and farmworkers bring extensive experience, specialized skills and a tremendous sense of pride to their work. California Farmer & Farmworker Month is an opportunity to recognize their contributions and celebrate the people who make our industry what it is today.”
Women are an important part of California's agricultural success, contributing their knowledge and expertise across orchard operations, farm management, and industry leadership. This year's California Farmer & Farmworker Month also falls during the United Nations' International Year of the Woman Farmer, bringing additional attention to the contributions of women who help sustain agricultural communities and shape the future of farming.
As California Farmer & Farmworker Month recognizes the people who make the state's agricultural success possible, the farmers and farmworkers who grow, tend, and harvest California prunes remain at the heart of the industry. Their expertise and dedication not only shape each year's crop but also help carry California's prune-growing heritage forward for generations to come.
For additional information about California prunes, visit CaliforniaPrunes.org.
