Evelyn (Smith) Long helping her father plow the fields in South Dakota (1915)

Hazel and David Jones

Our Story

James's great grandparents, David and Hazel Jones, were pioneers who arrived in Dairyville in 1913. They initially farmed grain crops and then planted prune orchards, establishing a tradition of agricultural work that has endured for over a century. Their commitment to the land and their crops set the stage for future generations to continue their farming legacy.

Similarly, Kathy's grandparents, Charles and Evelyn Long, became part of the Dairyville farming community in 1945. They embraced the cultivation of walnuts and prunes, contributing to the rich agricultural heritage of the region.

Throughout the years, both families have passed down their farming traditions and techniques from one generation to the next. Their dedication to the land and their commitment to growing high-quality walnuts and prunes have stood the test of time. With over 110 years of combined farming history, James and Kathy embody the continuation of their families' agricultural heritage in Dairyville, California.

James’s Legacy

David and Hazel Jones were pioneers who left their homestead in North Dakota and ventured to California grains and prunes as their livelihood.

Thelma Jones, their daughter, graduated from Chico State in 1930 and pursued a career in teaching. Eventually, she married Andrew Brandt, and together they continued farming in the Dairyville area. In addition to farming, they operated their own prune dehydrator, adding value to their produce.

Thelma and Andrew were blessed with three sons, with the oldest being Robert, who later became James's father. Robert, following his father's untimely passing in 1950, completed his high school education and then joined his mother in running the farm.

From a young age, James developed a deep love for farming, which continued to grow as he matured. At the tender age of 6, Robert tied wooden blocks on James’s feet so he could reach the pedals and begin to drive tractors and other farm equipment. James spent many prune harvests driving the shaker side of a prune harvester. After attending UC Davis, James returned to the family farm to work alongside his father, furthering the farming legacy. For many years, during the month of September, James took 20 employees south to the Madera area to commercially harvest pistachios. 

Tragically, in 2017, Robert passed away, leaving James to assume the responsibility of managing and operating Brandt Orchards, the family farm that had been passed down through the generations.

Andrew and Thelma (Jones) Brandt

Andrew with his sons Robert and Steve (1943)

Thelma and Robert Brandt

Robert and Patsy Brandt

Childhood pictures of James Brandt helping on the farm

Charles Long taking a break from pruning the orchards.

Dudley and Marylin in the walnut dryer (1990)

Kathy’s Legacy

In 1965, Charles and Evelyn's only child, Dudley, along with his wife Marilyn, took over the family business, now known as Long & Long Orchards, Inc. Under their management, the farm expanded to cover an impressive 800 acres, demonstrating their commitment to growth and progress. Besides farming Long & Long Orchards owned and operated an almond huller and a walnut huller and dryer. In 1991, Dudley passed away unexpectedly in a car accident and Greg, one of Marilyn and Dudley’s sons, took over the farming part of the operation. 

Kathy, Dudley and Marilyn's youngest child, grew up intimately involved in the farming operations. From the tender age of 4, she began participating in prune harvest, starting with picking up prunes behind the prune frame at a wage of $0.05 per bucket. As she grew older, Kathy took on additional responsibilities, such as driving tractors, as bin carriers had not yet been invented and operating the receiver side of the prune frame. Her hands-on experience and hard work shaped her understanding of the agricultural industry.

While Kathy had a talent for basketball and played at Pepperdine University, she also pursued her academic interests and obtained a degree in history. In 1992, Kathy began her teaching and basketball coaching career at Red Bluff High School. However, she soon discovered her true passion lay in coaching rather than teaching, prompting her to transition to a college coaching career.

Her coaching journey took her to various institutions, including CS Fullerton and San Jose State. However, Kathy's desire to be closer to her then-boyfriend, James, led her to take up a coaching position at Chico State, a decision that allowed her to balance her love for coaching and her personal life.

James and Kathy’s Story

In 1975, James and Kathy, who both came from farming families, began their educational journey at Lassen View School when they started kindergarten. With their shared love for the outdoors, they instantly formed a strong bond and became close friends. Their friendship continued throughout their school years, even being boyfriend/girlfriend in the 5th grade for a brief stint before transitioning back to being great friends.

As they progressed to high school, James and Kathy attended different schools and followed separate paths in college. However, in 1995, James's mother, Patsy, reached out to Kathy's mother, Marilyn, and suggested reuniting the two at the Farm Bureau dinner. The reunion was reminiscent of their childhood connection, and it sparked a rekindling of their relationship. After three years of dating, James and Kathy tied the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony held in Lake Tahoe.

In 2001, James and Kathy made a significant decision to establish Julia's Fruit Stand, a venture aimed at building a college fund for their daughter, Julia. Starting with a modest selection of fruits and vegetables, they gradually expanded their offerings as their farm flourished. Presently, they operate a 50-acre farm specializing in garden and stone fruits, with a particular focus on heirloom tomatoes and peaches. Their dedication to providing high-quality produce reflects their passion for farming and their commitment to securing a bright future for their family.

They have developed a loyal customer base, and attend 15 farmers' markets a week to sell their produce. James and Kathy take pride in their farming heritage, and they strive to uphold the traditions and values passed down by their ancestors. Their commitment to farming has not only provided for their family, but also helped to sustain the farming community in Dairyville for over a century.

James and Kathy Brandt

Julia posed in front of a tractor (2003)

Julia and her grandfather Robert (2003)

The Brandt Family: Kathy, James, Julia, Jayne and Jordan

Current front of Julia’s Fruit Stand

The Brandt family featuring Jefe

Farming in 2024

The challenges and hardships of sustaining a farming business have become increasingly difficult over the years. While the walnut and prune crops have been instrumental in supporting the fruit stand, the economic realities have taken a toll on profitability. In the most recent year, walnut buyers paid a meager rate of $0.42 per pound for walnuts, just barely higher than what James's grandmother, Thelma, received for her walnuts back in 1960.

Considering that the cost of growing and processing walnuts amounts to approximately $1.25 per pound, it becomes evident that the financial viability of the farm is severely compromised. The economics simply do not align, making it nearly impossible to sustain operations solely through walnut and prune farming.

As a result, there has been a shift in the farming interests of James and Kathy. They are now relying on the fruit stand to generate sufficient revenue to support the walnut and prune farm. The hope is that the fruit stand can provide a viable source of income to sustain their farming business.

They invite and encourage people to visit and enjoy the diverse range of produce available at the fruit stand. By supporting the fruit stand, customers can contribute to the preservation of the walnut and prune farm, helping to sustain their farming legacy in the face of mounting challenges.