Bakersfield grower support sends 65 kids to college
California growers and their organizations regularly provide scholarships for the youngsters of employees, and usually receive little recognition. But when a Kern County grower financed educations for 65 college-bound students, it got attention.
Grimmway Farms in Bakersfield, a company recognized by friends and locals for growing carrots “all over Kern County,” granted the scholarships early in April when it held its annual farm to table picnic honoring its 10,000 employees
Grimmway was founded by the brothers Grimm, Bob and Rod, in a roadside produce stand in Anaheim in 1968. Thirteen years later they moved the growing company to Kern County. As Grimmway grew to become the largest carrot producer in the world it occupied additional farm land in the Coachella Valley and Imperial Counties and along the coast in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.
Its production of large, bright, firm, tasty carrots and its packaging (or not) in easy to handle consumer packs has completely revolutionized carrot sales. The company’s dependence on a single commodity is somewhat unique, and the consumer acceptance of the common carrot somewhat surprising. The company’s growth to a giant employing 10,000 is nothing short of a wholesome and welcome agricultural fairy tale
The company’s scholarship program began on a somewhat smaller scale in 2008. Current CEO Jeff Huckaby said: “We are investing in the future success of our company, our industry and our community.”
The light soils and warm climate in Kern County’s Arvin-lamont area have suited carrot growth well. Carrots will grow in tighter, heavier soils and in nearly every climate, but to thrive and reach their greatest size, color, taste and nourishment potential they prefer lighter soils and extended warm temperatures.
As a rule, lighter soils require supplemental crop nourishment. The Grimms resolved that issue through careful research and experimentation. The early season warmth in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys extended the production window and led the way to year around planting, nurturing, harvesting, processing and sales.
In spite of the impressive size of individual carrots that the Grimms were able to produce, they also learned that the market appreciated smaller versions, finger food. So they developed or discovered equipment to whittle their norrnally larger vegetables into baby carrots, and later their many brothers and sisters: carrot chips, shredded carrots, “stixx,” crinkle cut coins, dippers and most recently. Rainbow Baby Carrots.
Enormous processing, packaging and handling facilities have been developed and built to accommodate Grimmway’s steady expansion. Competitor Bolthouse Farms, which began in 1915, has taken advantage of the same natural attributes in Kern County that Grimmway enjoys, grew to the enormous category and eventually sold to its current operator, Campbell’s, the soup folks.
Even at its gargantuan size Grimmway is decidedly family oriented. Three members of the family are directly involved in various aspects of management and operation, and employee benefits reflect the emphasis on family stability and values.
As if it were in the company’s genes, expansion continues as part of its basic philosophy. It takes its place as the world’s largest carrot producer with 135 products, including organic vegetables, grown entirely within the United States.
Fickle consumers who have delved into the production process of carrots have learned that only the carrot’s green foliage is above ground. The imbedded vegetable spends its entire protected life below ground, joining the atmosphere only after it is harvested.
Unlike the lowly carrot, Grimmway’s noteworthy scholarship program is helping project members of its employee family well into the world around them. For them education is the stick that holds the future well in front of them.