Once harvested, popcorn is either immediately processed or stored in temperature- and moisture-controlled grain bins to maintain its quality throughout the year.
In 2010, TomSills passed away at age 94. Today, Ed,Wynette and each of their three adult children have had a hand in the family business. Their daughter Kate is a computer programmer who helped develop the online inventory system for Pleasant Grove Farms. Son Andrew worked on the farm during summer breaks from college before joining the military in 2018. He plans to return and take on a managerial role after his military career. Younger daughter Jessica has worked on the farm full time since 2014, managing the office, including bookkeeping and client contracts. Although she studied mathematics at California State University, Sacramento, and was on track to become a teacher, she found herself missing the farm and the memories it held. She decided to return to her roots. Now in his mid-60s, Ed Sills sees himself eventually stepping back and leaving the management of the farm to the next generation. “I don’t think I’ll ever retire, but I would like to pull back a little as I get older and have my kids run more of the business,” he said. “It’s a really good family environment, the farm is.”
Kate Gonzales and Jolaine Collins cbmagazine@californiabountiful.com
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