Our Growers

The unique micro climate in the Bard Valley with its high water table from the Colorado River, intense heat and low humidity and the absence of pests makes it the ideal location to grow Medjool Dates.

But what really makes Bard Valley Medjool Dates so special is the care and attention lavished upon them by our growers. Read about each grower’s unique approach to producing the most delicious Medjool dates in the world.

• Imperial Date Gardens

  At Imperial Date Gardens, “heritage agriculture” is a way of life. Isabel Nunez came to Bard Valley in 1958 as a farm laborer working for a pioneer medjool grower. Fueled by the passion and wonder of this fascinating crop, he worked hard to create his own operation. Nearly 40 years after acquiring Imperial Date Gardens, Isabel still works in the date gardens, but now he is assisted by his children, Gus, Ramon and Mari, and his grandson, Brandon. Imperial Date Gardens has matured into being the largest Medjool Date producer in Bard Valley. This is a true American success story!close

• Nelson Bros

  Dave Nelson embodies the character of a dedicated farmer. His passion for Medjool dates, the soil and the purity of farming run deep. As a teen, Dave worked for a Bard Valley date ranch, and in doing so he developed a love for this charming yet mystical crop. In 1975, using Dave’s car as collateral for a loan, he and his brothers scraped together a down payment for their own date grove. Understanding the power of teamwork, Nelson Bros. was one of the founding members of the BVMDGA . Today, Dave does double duty heading up sales activity with Date Pac, the largest packer of Medjool Dates in Bard Valley.close

• Vandervoort Date Ranches

  Glen Vandervoort is in his element when he stands looking across his baby tree nursery. Minimizing impact to the environment is a mission at Vandervoort Date Ranches, from grinding up waste and prunings to return to the soil instead of burning to using biodegradable string and twine; as well as a decided effort to minimize any agrichemical use. Glen is not only one of the larger organic growers in Bard, but he also brings his Earth friendly philosophies to his job as manager of operations at Date Pac, the largest packer of Medjool Dates in Bard Valley.close

• Winterhaven Ranches

  Combining their impressive farming and business acumen, Jim Freimuth and Chris Nielsen founded Winterhaven Ranches in 1983. Embracing organic technologies early on, Winterhaven Ranches became a certified organic grower under California's Organic Code in 1989 and in 1997 the historic Oasis Date Gardens was purchased. Today, Winterhaven Ranches and Oasis Date Gardens produce approximately two million pounds annually of the highest quality USDA Certified Organic Medjool Dates.close

• Bard Date Company

  Bard Date Company is owned by the highly innovative Jessen family. The Jessen’s have deep roots in agriculture around the globe, primarily in their crop protection business. Taking advantage of the “Bard Valley” micro climate that extends some 40 miles south along the beautiful Colorado River, the Jessen's partnered with the Bustamante family, adding over 200 acres of Medjool Date trees to their stable. This innovative approach to crop development has resulted in a year over year increase in Medjools, allowing more consumers in the U.S. to experience this uniquely delicious yet good for you treat.close

• Royal Medjool Date Ranch

  The historic Royal Medjool Date Ranch was purchased in 1968 by the Shadle, Choules and Keddie families. The ranch is the oldest of the large date growing operations in the Bard Valley and has the distinction of being the site where the first ever vertical lifts and sorting tables were built. More recently two more farms, Southwestern Date and Sun-Gardens, were added to the fold. Sun Gardens hosts six stately Medjool date trees which represent the original stock which was brought to the area from Morocco. Ranch managers Steve McCollum and Ron Hill each bring a lifetime of farming experience to these diverse operations, which are distinguished by their high fruit yields and their delicious coconut and almond date rolls!close

• Southwestern Date Growers

  Southwestern Date Growers was purchased from the Vandervoort family in 2004, and is now managed by Steve and Scott Shadle. This operation has a large number of very old trees, but also encompasses a nursery shoot farm to accelerate production. Combining organic farming into their operation has given Southwestern Date Growers more diversity in their product offerings and adds to their commitment to advancing the Medjool industry.close

• Sun Garden Growers

  Sun Garden Growers was purchased from the McCollum family in 2003. Located in Bard, California this date ranch is home to the very first Medjool date trees to come to the Valley. In 1944, 24 offshoots were taken from the original Medjools that were brought from Morocco and planted at this location in Bard. Six of those elderly trees remain on the Sun Garden property, towering over the younger plantings near them. Sun Gardens is managed 100% Organic by Steve and Scott Shadle, and produces several different date varieties besides Medjools. In addition to their production operations, Sun Gardens also has a retail store for local sales of their varied and delicious products.close