From orchard management to innovation, women across California’s prune sector are helping shape the future of the industry
California produces virtually all of the prunes grown in the U.S., nurtured by generations of passionate farmers and industry leaders. Since the beginning, women have shaped the growth of this crop and community, and as International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, the California Prune Board is celebrating the more than 45,000 women producers across the state and the vital role they play in California’s agricultural landscape.
This International Women’s Day is particularly powerful because 2026 is also the International Year of the Woman Farmer. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 45,244 women producers operate across the state, managing 11.5 million acres of farms and ranches that contribute $22.2 billion in agricultural sales. The invaluable expertise and leadership of women in the industry have driven innovation, helping sustain the industry’s position as the world’s leading producer of premium-quality prunes. Today, California produces virtually all prunes grown in the United States and supplies a significant share of the global market.
“Women are deeply involved at every level – from orchard management and research to marketing and global trade. Their leadership helps ensure the long-term success of our industry,” said Kiaran Locy, Director of Brand & Industry Communications for the California Prune Board.
Women Carrying Forward Orchard Leadership
For many growers, agriculture is both a livelihood and a long-standing commitment to the land and community. Behind that are generations of women farmers and industry leaders who have spent decades caring for orchards, investing in sustainability and helping the industry evolve.
Sandra (Sandie) Mitchell, a prune grower in Yuba City, farms alongside her family on a multi-generation operation that includes prunes, walnuts and other crops. Her work reflects the hands-on stewardship required to manage orchards year-round – from irrigation and soil care to harvest and drying operations.
Mitchell says a commitment to quality is central to how growers approach their work.
“Women are very quality-oriented,” she explains. “When it comes to our families, we want the best – and as California prune growers, we’ve dedicated our farming operation to producing a premium product for consumers.”
Through involvement in agricultural organizations and related committees, growers like Mitchell represent the industry while championing the nutritional benefits of prunes, including the research behind their effects on bone health.
Sisters Connecting Agriculture and Innovation
Advancing the reach of California agriculture beyond traditional markets are women who are looking beyond the crop to innovate and expand opportunities for the industry.
The Taylor sisters – Allison, Jacqueline and Elaine – grew up on a fourth-generation Northern California prune farm before launching Le Prunier, a skincare brand inspired by ingredients derived from their family’s orchards. What began as an effort to repurpose discarded plum seeds has grown into a business that highlights sustainability, agricultural heritage and innovation.
Their work reflects a broader movement of women in agriculture creating new pathways that connect consumers more directly to farms and farming families.
Similarly, in California’s Central Valley, sisters Hilary Porter, CEO of Erick Nielsen Enterprises (ENE), and Heather Nielsen Reed, Hospitality and Social Media Manager, are among the many women helping lead and evolve the prune industry Through their operational leadership, the sisters oversee custom orchard services across the state, including mechanical pruning, harvesting, brush shredding and orchard floor preparation – providing growers with specialized equipment and expertise that help orchards operate efficiently and remain competitive.
By serving both their own acreage and farms throughout the Central Valley, Porter and Reed maintain a close connection to the evolving needs of California growers. Their team has played a role in advancing harvest techniques and improving processes that support the delivery of premium California prunes to processors and markets worldwide.
Looking Ahead
The role of women in California prunes’ agricultural history and future is vital, and supporting women in agriculture will remain key to maintaining strong farming communities and a resilient food system.
That’s why the California Prune Board is committed to sharing the stories of these inspirational women in agriculture and inspiring the next generation of women to lead the industry into the future. Through features on CaliforniaPrunes.org and other digital channels, the Board has and will continue to spotlight women growers and industry leaders and the impact they have across the California prune sector.
“The women in our industry are driving change, and the California Prune Board is investing in progress through them as they accelerate sustainability, innovation and food security for all,” Locy said. “When consumers choose California prunes, they are supporting women who are growing a future for the next generation.”
For additional information about California prunes, visit CaliforniaPrunes.org.
