Haley was 7 and Hank was 9 when they launched the College Fund Nut Co. in 2012, above. Working with their parents, right, they have learned all aspects of the business: harvesting, buying, processing, packaging and sales.
Co. products are one exception. “They are great kids,” said Brandt, who coached Haley in basketball and counts herself as a family friend. “When they started doing this and we found out, we wanted to help them. They have developed a work ethic that so many other kids don’t have a chance to do.” Lessons learned Today, Hank spends more time in the field, while Haley devotes more hours to packaging and customer service. Mary helps her daughter with the business side of the company, while Hank soaks up the ins and outs of pruning, irrigation and more from his father. He’s also in f light school to become a private pilot, like his dad. “I’m proud of him,” Tyler said. “This year, he really took an interest in the operation and he was truly helpful. I try to show him things that are interesting and keep his attention a little bit. At the same time, he has to pay some dues.” Hank absorbs farming lessons while also paying attention to people and business skills. “You’ve got to interact with a lot of people and make good choices—and not get caught up in the baloney,”
he said of running a successful business. “Meet ing new people i s super impor t ant in business and in life,” Haley added, ref lecting on the lessons she has learned. “The business has definitely helped me make a better connection with someone by having a f i rmer handshake and mak ing eye contact—stuff like that.” As for the actual college fund, it’s fairly modest. Family members compare the venture to raising an animal for 4-H or the fair. Neither Hank nor Haley have a precise number for savings, but both agree they are well short of paying for their degrees. “College is expensive these days,” said Hank, who plans to pursue a degree in agricultural business at California State University, Chico, and then return to the ranch. Haley is thinking about a business degree and a career in dermatology. Sti l l, she plans to remain connected to the family ranch and perhaps continue running the fruit and nut company after college. She added: “We’d have to find another name.”
Cyndee Fontana-Ott cbmagazine@californiabountiful.com
MORE ONLINE Get to know the Christensen family in a California Bountiful TV segment: californiabountiful.com. Also, find out how they’re a multigenerational example of the American farming tradition.
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November/December 2020
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