Independence Almond Gaining Popularity

In Fresno County, father and son Ben and Steven Barra, inspect 20 acres of their recently planted Independence almonds.  They went this route, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars, after years of struggling in the stone fruit business.

“It’s hard going, but I think once these catch on we'll be all right,” said Ben Barra of Barra Farms.

Von Hotzakorgian manages some older Independence trees.  He harvested his first crop last year.

“It’s got sweetness to it and kind of a buttery type of taste,” said Von Hotzakorgian of Romagnoli Farms.

Almonds were Fresno County’s number two crop in 2010.  They generated an astonishing $619 million.

Simplicity is what makes the Independence so special.

“You don't need to plant another tree to pollinate, you harvest one time,” said Hotzakorgian.

Buds don't need bees in order to blossom either, which is significant since beekeepers continue to deal with a shortage of colonies.

“Renting those becomes very costly,” said Hotzakorgian.

Zaiger Genetics of Modesto scientifically engineered this self-fertile almond in 2008. 

Dave Wilson Nursery holds the patent.  Sales rep art ruble says Independence won't replace the dominant Nonpareil variety, but they do have promise.

“It bears earlier, heavier.  So you watch in the next three or four years, if it keeps going like it is and we certainly expect it to, it will become an industry favorite,” said Art Ruble of Dave Wilson Nursery.

Dave Wilson Nursery distributes these genetic trees to certain nurseries in the Central Valley, which means homeowners can grow them too.

For a list of where to buy them, click the link above.