Pistachios of Newberry Springs
Newberry Springs’ economy has been agriculturally based since the earliest years. Apricots, alfalfa, chickens, turkeys, and even catfish were all commercially grown here on a large scale. In 1979, with the fall of the Shah of Iran, the world’s supply of pistachios became a concern. The U.S. pistachio industry expanded to meet the demand for this healthy, nutritious nut. Native to Persia, now Iran, it was a logical crop to grow right here in Newberry Springs.
The first pistachio seeds were brought to California in the 1850s. It was in the 1880s that the first pistachio nuts were imported to sell to Persian immigrants. To hide the generally poor quality of these imports, the nuts were dyed red. As the popularity of the pistachio grew, so did the interest in producing them here. It was a long process of testing varieties and methods of growing and processing. A very long process. The first commercial crop was produced in 1976. Ninety-eight percent of U.S. pistachio production is in California, primarily in Kern and Fresno Counties.
In the early 1980s, a lot of people planted pistachios here in Newberry Springs. The trees are planted as root stock. Later, male or female pistachio trees are grafted to this root stock. The male trees are strategically located in the orchard. Pollination is done by the wind, much like corn. Big Al, of Big Al’s Pistachio Farm was one of the first growers here. He performed grafting services for the growing number of producers. His processing equipment was used by many of the small growers to ready their crops for market. The first Pistachio Festival was held at his barn in 1998.