A RICH HISTORY
The Limoneira Company was founded in Ventura County, California in 1893. Its founders were pioneers of spirit and vision that helped lay the foundations of a thriving California citrus industry. Their dedication and innovation in the agricultural industry helped found and develop many institutions that still exist (Sunkist Growers, Fruit Growers Supply and Diamond Walnut).
The formation of Limoneira Company had its beginnings when Nathan W. Blanchard and Wallace L. Hardison purchased 413 acres of land from J.K. Gries in 1893.
The company was named Limoneira, meaning lemon lands in Portuguese. The primary crops were lemons, Valencia oranges, and walnuts at that time.
Limoneira Company entered the new century with a growing work force and prosperity. The employment of C.C. Teague as the first General Manager in 1901 had a lasting impact on the development and success of the company. Teague’s leadership and innovation set the standards for farming practices. C.C. Teague went on to become Chairman of Sunkist and founded many organizations including Diamond Walnut.
Today, Limoneira is a global agribusiness and seller of citrus to grocery stores and food establishments everywhere. We also have multi-million dollar real estate and resource investments.
By the 1920’s, the company’s acreage under cultivation had quadrupled in less than 30 years and numerous building and expansion projects were underway. It was the solid base created in the previous 30 years and strong leadership that pulled the company through the Depression and the challenges of the 1940’s. Despite these difficulties, the company continued to grow. In the years to come, Limoneira Company would provide leadership and direction in the growing California citrus industry.
