Nestled in the heart of Chico, California, Maisie Jane’s stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of family farming and sustainable agriculture. 

The California Grown team recently visited this fourth-generation family business to discover how a teenage entrepreneur’s passion for almonds grew into a thriving enterprise that celebrates the bounty of Northern California’s agricultural heritage. 

From its commitment to sustainability to its diverse product line, Maisie Jane’s is a must-visit destination for food lovers and agricultural enthusiasts alike.

From Farm to Family Legacy

Maisie Jane Hurtado’s journey into entrepreneurship began at 17 when she started experimenting with roasting nuts in her family kitchen. What began as a Future Farmers of America project blossomed into Maisie Jane’s California Sunshine Products, which embodies the farm-to-table movement through its commitment to quality and sustainability.

The roots of Maisie Jane’s run deep in Chico’s agricultural history. Maisie Jane’s great-grandfather settled in Chico from northern Italy, where he was a gardener by trade.

He learned about almond trees, which John Bidwell, the founder of Chico, introduced to North America. This agricultural legacy continued through the generations, with Maisie Jane’s grandfather buying his first piece of property at 15.

A Family Affair

Today, Maisie Jane’s is truly a family operation. Alongside Maisie Jane, her husband Isidro manages 80 acres of Northern California almonds and oversees the manufacturing facility. The business has deep family roots, with Maisie Jane’s mother, Mary Jane, and Aunt Bobby serving as senior basket designers in their gift shop.

“It’s a real joy to be still connected with my family members, my siblings and my dad, who are all almond farmers,” Maisie Jane shares. “We buy from my siblings their nuts, and also some of the nuts that they do custom farming for. So it’s a constant communication and partnership with my siblings and my father.”

Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture

Maisie Jane’s success is based on its dedication to sustainable farming practices. The company’s approach to agriculture reflects a deep respect for the land and future generations. 

Maisie Jane explains, “Sustainability is conserving the land for future generations. And, you know, being a passionate farmer, you naturally will do that. You are going to take care of the soil; you’re going to take care of your trees so that they are healthy and can provide the most bountiful crops for the current generation and generations to come”.

“We strongly believe in earth-friendly practices that start on our family-owned and operated orchards,” explains Maisie Jane. “We use organic farming practices and continue using all-natural ingredients with no preservatives or GMOs.” Maisie Jane’s implements various sustainable practices, including:

• Using organic fertilizers like chicken manure instead of synthetic fertilizers
• Maintaining a sustainable bee program with plantings around orchard perimeters to encourage native bee pollination
• Employing water conservation techniques, such as micro-sprinklers, probed straight to the roots, saving about 27% of water
• Practicing integrated pest management instead of using pesticides

Product Excellence

Maisie Jane’s offers an impressive array of products that showcase the best of California’s agricultural bounty:

Premium Nut Products

• Hand-crafted single-ingredient almond butter
• Specialty nut butter
• Natural and flavored nuts
• Unique gift baskets for every occasion

One of their most successful product lines is nut butter. Maisie Jane explains, “We really take great pride in producing premium single-ingredient nut butter. Since we are farmers, we realize that there are over 30 different almond varieties. I like to compare them to wine grapes. They all really do have a special, unique flavor profile and oil content.”

Their attention to detail extends to their roasting process. Maisie Jane’s uses fire roasting instead of deep frying, which means no oil is added. This method contributes to the robust taste profile of their products.

The Gift Shop 

The Maisie Jane’s Gift Shop offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the company’s full product line. Located in a charming historic building just minutes from downtown Chico, the shop features a selection of locally grown goodies and gifts.

“I love having our gift shop because it’s an opportunity to connect with the consumer directly,” shares Maisie Jane. “That is what brings me the greatest joy, which is seeing the joy in our customers’ faces and hearing how they enjoy eating our products.”

Collaborations and Community Connections

Being located in Chico has allowed Maisie Jane’s to collaborate with other fantastic food entrepreneurs. One notable collaboration is with Sierra Nevada Brewing, also based in Chico. Maisie Jane’s has supplied roasted almonds for inclusion in specialty beers and has even created a packaged specialty “beer nut” for the brewery.

A visit to Maisie Jane’s offers more than just shopping—an opportunity to experience California’s agricultural heritage firsthand. Visitors can explore the store’s extensive product line, sample nuts and nut butter, and learn about sustainable farming practices.

“Chico is such a vibrant area that we offer many commodities, and it’s more of a small farm feel,” explains Maisie Jane. “It’s not like the corporate large-scale farms that are necessarily here. And it’s very diverse, you know, ’cause again, we do have the Four Seasons”.

The Importance of Supporting Small Farms

Maisie Jane emphasizes the importance of supporting small farms and family agribusinesses: “When you decide to support a small brand or small family farm, you know that you’re going to be getting superior quality and, more importantly, you know, a food product that there is a lot of passion and history and good energy into the food.”

By supporting businesses like Maisie Jane’s, consumers can purchase high-quality products and help preserve agricultural traditions and sustainable farming practices.

Looking to the Future

As Maisie Jane’s celebrates its 30th anniversary, the company continues to grow while staying true to its roots. With about 40 employees and a full-blown operation of roasting and flavoring their products, Maisie Jane’s has come a long way from its humble beginnings in a family kitchen.

The legacy of Maisie Jane’s continues to grow, rooted in family tradition and sustainable practices. From its humble beginnings as a teenager’s dream to its current status as a beloved California brand, Maisie Jane’s represents what local, family-owned agriculture can offer. As you plan your next trip to Northern California, include a stop at Maisie Jane’s in Chico—a true hidden gem in California’s agricultural heartland.

Planning Your Visit

Maisie Jane’s Gift Shop welcomes visitors to its Chico location. Whether you’re a resident or just passing through, the shop offers a perfect opportunity to bring home a taste of Butte County’s agricultural bounty. If you can’t visit real life, you can also shop at their online store.

More Agritourism In The Area

Maisie Jane’s is a shining example of Northern California’s rich agricultural traditions, offering high-quality, sustainably grown almonds, walnuts, and pistachios. 

Check out our agritourism guide to Butte County and the surrounding region to discover even more local gems. From U-pick orchards to wine tasting and farmers’ markets, this guide showcases the best ways to experience the agricultural heart of Northern California.

Article by Aida Mollenkamp. Photography by Hilary Rance.