
Our Story
Many years ago, Gibson Farms was a dream of two brothers, Marion and Ken Gibson, who started up a business of their own known as Gibson Brothers, circa 1938. Gibson Brothers grew apricots, walnuts, prunes, and varied row crops such as tomatoes, onions, and sugar beets. They were the first in San Benito County to have a sprinkler irrigation system and a forklift. Most of their produce was sold to cannaries, plus some fresh markets. With the apricots, the emphasis was on the fresh produce, not the dried.
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A few years after the passing of Ken Gibson, Marion's son Mark started up Gibson Farms in 1975, as a new family owned and operated business dealing with the production of apricots and walnuts. Mark Gibson took over his father Marion Gibson's farming business and, through time and patience, expanded it into processing and packing dried apricots and shelled walnuts. In 1983, Gibson Farms began shelling walnuts, and this operation has grown over the years to about 2000 tons in shell. About 30 years ago, Gibson Farms became involved in growing walnuts organically and now, along with other organic growers, provides great organic walnut kernels to all parts of the United States.
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To this day, Gibson Farms is adhering to the fine quality that was established for apricots and walnuts many years beforehand, when Marion Gibson passed his "secrets of the trade" to his son. And it is this fine quality that we present to you today, and for generations to come.

Ken and Marion Gibson, original founders of Gibson Brothers

The Perfect Climate
Hollister's mild summer climage offers an ideal environment for growing the rare and delicious Blenheim apricot. The Blenheim is the best variety for drying due to its high content of natural sugar - which is evident in its sweet taste and bright orange color. However, the Blenheim does not travel well and cannot tolerate extreme heat, making this apricot a rare treat!​​​​
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This mild climate is also perfect for growing high quality walnuts. Walnuts are very sensitive to extreme temperatures and become discolored when exposed to heat. This condition affects quality and taste. Hollister walnuts are known for their exceptionally light color, kernel fullness, and exceptional flavor. Customers often tell us these are the freshest walnuts they have ever tasted!​​
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Pictured: Mark Gibson, Owner of Gibson farms
