Building a Family Business
In a sun-drenched valley near the U.S.-Mexico border, palm trees wave in the breeze and pickup trucks line the parking lot at a pecan nursey that has taken root in southern New Mexico. Peña’s Pecan Nursery is a family business that started when Isidro Peña Sr. saw an opportunity to start a business of his own.
“I used to work on farms, and I learned how to graft the trees,” Isidro said. “When I started to grow the trees and put my little nursery in, I still worked part time at the farm until I could get the first crop.”
Today, Isidro is still very involved in the business he helped start in 1959. His daughter, Martha Orta, is the CEO while his son, Isidro Peña Jr., manages plant operations to clean, pack and sell pecans, along with custom harvesting.
“Our father was happy to be here because it was the American dream,” Martha said. “He learned how to work the land and how this land gives to you.”
‘Mother Nature at her Best’
The secret to growing pecan trees is a combination of location, time and commitment. The trees take five to seven years to reach maturity. Once they are established, they can produce nuts for over 100 years.
In the scenic valley along the Rio Grande, you can find pecan trees in every corner – many of which started at Peña’s Pecan Nursery.
“This is Mother Nature at her best,” said Martha. “This is her gift to us, and we just have to know how to take care of it. My dad loves the land. He loves taking care of it.”
For the Next Generation
One lesson that Isidro Peña Sr. passed along to his children was the value of hard work. As a Bracero Program worker in the 1950s, he understood the meaning of a hard day’s work. Today, his children are stewarding a family business with their children and grandchildren in mind.
“What motivates me is to try to do the best we can,” Martha said. “Now that I have grandkids, you just want to leave a legacy behind for them.”
American AgCredit has partnered with the Peña family for several years.
“When you have the next generation already involved, it makes my job a lot smoother,” their loan officer said. “I know that the operation has some sustainability and has a future to look to.”
This article was originally published by American AgCredit.
