I was introduced to commercial farming as a kid in the 1960s, when my father and his partner bought two pieces of property in Fresno County. A few times a year the family would pile in the car to visit their two orange groves in the Central Valley.

I grew up to study plant science and agriculture at the University of California Davis and graduated in 1976 with a degree in International Agricultural Development. And in the late seventies, I worked in a soils lab at Cornell University. Little did I know how useful this science background would be later in life.

In 1988, I bought my first ranch—20 acres of navel oranges near Exeter California.  Today, with the invaluable—and I mean invaluable!—help of my farm managers, I grow and manage several citrus varieties in Tulare and Fresno Counties. 

Since the mutation of the little limb was discovered in 2009, I have relied heavily on my citrus field experience and plant science background. Since 2014, I have been doing hands-on testing of the experimental blocks of Rosy Red—and now of the commercial blocks. This study of the tree characteristics has given me an understanding of the Rosy Red tree and fruit during every stage of growth. I have been delighted by the unusual and unique characteristics of this one-of-a-kind new variety. Based on my research locally, in the U.S., and overseas, I am convinced that  the Rosy Red Valencia is truly in a class of its own.

It has been quite a journey and I’m thrilled that it’s finally time to bring this unique new orange—the Rosy Red Valencia—onto the marketplace and share this gift from Mother Nature with the world.

—Nancy Lange