“We really try to concentrate on soil health so that the plant is as healthy as possible to fight off any diseases and pests,” Etchepare said. “We are almost 100% solar for all our electrical usage. We use natural gas or propane, if not electricity, to power most of our irrigation pumps. We use mating disruption to combat insects, helping us reduce our pesticide usage by over half. We ensure we use the right amount of water, through sensors in the ground and micro sprinklers and drip on everything— nothing’s f lood irrigated. We take tissue samples from the trees every month so we know the right amount of fertilizer.” While farming is hard work and can be stressful, Etchepare says growing food is in his blood—and he loves it. “Every day’s a new challenge. Every year is a different year, which makes it fun and interesting,” he said. “You’re also creating food and people enjoy food a lot. We obviously need food to live, but food is also something that brings us all together. We can have meals together and we can share recipes and it brings a lot of joy to people.” Great for health nuts He also knows he’s growing a nutritious food. Walnuts are rich in protein, fiber and magnesium, and
Growing the walnuts Running Wellnut Farms and Nutopia Foods would keep Etchepare busy enough, but neither is his primary occupation. Etchepare’s great-grandfather, an immigrant from France, was an indentured servant to a sheep rancher and later started his own herd of sheep with his brothers. The ensuing generations continued farming, eventually shifting to rice and row crops. In the mid-1990s, the family started planting walnuts and almonds. Now, the combined orchard is 5,000 acres, with about 60% walnuts. Called Emerald Farms, the farming operation is now owned by Etchepare, his dad and his aunt. They decided this past fall to stop growing row crops, in part because many employees quit during the pandemic and they needed the remaining workers for the orchard. “I’ve gone more away from doing the daily tasks on the farm to more management since I’m now in charge of a large farming operation, a co-packing facility and a retail brand,” Etchepare said. “But at least one day a week, if not more, I try to get out and walk the orchards.” Etchepare says taking a sustainable approach to farming helps offset challenges for farmers, who face rising costs, pests, crop diseases, fires, smoke, regulations, drought andwater restrictions.
Walnuts are rich in protein, fiber and magnesium, and may help control appetite and contribute to gut health. But they are especially acclaimed for their healthful fatty acids.
Joanna Malson, Wellnut Farms’ director of sales and marketing, works with farmer Leon Etchepare, who co-owns the walnut butter retail brand with his business partner Kevin Amator, not pictured.
Powered by FlippingBook