Blain Farms is the largest grower and processor of pecans in California. Our orchards are located in the fertile San Joaquin valley, the food basket of the U.S. Our state-of-the-art processing plant is centrally located in Visalia, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
History
The Blain family is proud to have been one of the first settlers of California, arriving in Visalia in 1867. The first Blains in California were primarily cattlemen, but the last three generations have grown tree nuts, specializing in walnuts and pecans. Our first pecan orchard was planted in 1975, one of the first in the state. Our pioneering spirit has continued to this day as we continue to improve our orchards and develop new methods to improve the quality of America's favorite nut.
Organization
Blain Farms was organized as a pecan growing operation by Albert F. Blain (now deceased), and his son Brian Blain. It continues to be a family owned and operated company, with Brian's two sons, daughter and nephew now also involved. The company employs 80 people during the peak harvest season, and operates orchards in 2 counties.
Pecan Shelling
Brian Blain designed and built the first pecan shelling facility in California in 1983. Blain Farms sold its interest in that company in 1988, but continued growing pecan orchards. In 1998 we built our new pecan shelling facility in Visalia, designed and built by Brian and his son Brody. Our facility processes over 80% of all the pecans grown in California, and ships them under the 'Blain Farms' label to pecan users all over the world.
Farm Fresh Quality
Very few pecans are both grown and processed by the same people. Most pecans are shelled and processed by companies who purchase pecans from hundreds of different growers throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Blain Farms is one of the few 'Grower-Shellers' who control the quality of our pecans all year long, until they are harvested, shelled and delivered to our customers.
California Pecans
California is the only state in the U.S. where the ideal weather and fertile soil promotes the growing of every type of tree nut. Pecans are joined by Walnuts, Almonds, Pistachios, Macadamias, Filberts, and even Chestnuts, in a true California cornucopia of edible tree nuts. Our mild weather produces a distinctly fresher flavor and lighter color compared to pecans grown in other states.
Blain Farms, Inc. is an active member of the California Pecan Growers Association (CPGA). For more information about CPGA, click here.
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