A Family Legacy
The Jura family has been farming figs in California for four generations. More than 100 years ago, their great-grandfather immigrated from Italy to Fresno, where he began working in the newly established California fig industry. Over time, he planted his own orchards, and years later, his son and grandson founded San Joaquin Figs, Inc.
Today, the family farms over 1,500 acres of conventional and organic figs and almonds. At their processing facility, they produce dried figs for retail under the NutraFig brand, as well as value-added products such as diced figs and fig paste, which is used in fig bars. They also process and package other dried fruits—including prunes, apricots, raisins, and walnuts—into pastes, diced pieces, trail mixes, and fruit bars.
Through USDA Agricultural Marketing Service contracts, San Joaquin Figs partners with growers across the Central Valley to supply dried fruit and nuts to schools and food banks nationwide.
Understanding Agriculture
Over the past two decades, San Joaquin Figs has steadily expanded, increasing both the acreage they farm and the volume they process. To keep pace with this growth, the company has relied on new sources of financing to cover farming expenses and ensure timely payments to third-party growers as crops are marketed and sold throughout the year.
Fresno Madera Farm Credit has been an invaluable partner in this process, offering a deep understanding of agriculture.
As technology evolves and new dried fig products are developed, the Jura family has made significant investments in facilities and equipment to support innovation and efficiency. Fresno Madera Farm Credit has supported these efforts with flexible lease and purchase options that help keep the operation moving forward.
Looking ahead, the family plans to continue expanding with new properties, plantings, and equipment—and they are confident San Joaquin Figs will remain strong for generations to come with Farm Credit as a trusted partner.
This article was originally published by Fresno Madera Farm Credit.
