Our Story Begins in 2001
Patterson Nut Company, Inc., was founded in 2001 by brothers Kirk Jensen and Mark Jensen, when they purchased an existing walnut processing facility located just south of Patterson, California.
The Jensen Bros. are fourth generation farmers, farming on the west side of Stanislaus and Merced Counties outside of Gustine. The Jensen Family farms approximately 1,800 acres of walnuts and almonds.
Kirk Jensen and Mark Jensen bring a unique blend of skill sets to Patterson Nut Company. Kirk Jensen spent about 15 years working for a large almond and walnut farmer and processor that farmed a diverse mix of nut and fruit crops in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced Counties, as well as operated processing and marketing facilities for almonds, walnuts, fruits and more. It was this hands-on experience farming a wide variety of crops and exposure to marketing and processing different commodities that provided the foundation upon which Patterson Nut Company was built. Within a couple of years of purchasing the plant and starting Patterson Nut Company, Inc., Kirk went to work full-time farming the Jensen Family ranches and operating Patterson Nut Company, Inc.
Mark Jensen is a practicing attorney and a partner in Jensen & Jensen, Attorneys at Law in Modesto, California for over 30 years. Mark represents clients who work in all areas of business and agri-business. His practice involves primarily business law, real estate transactions, and estate planning. Mark brings a solid business background to the company, handling all record and bookkeeping, as well as contributing his extensive experience complying with the ever-growing regulatory environment. The ability to separate these important areas of concern from the actual plant operation, allows the production facility to focus on its main function, which is to process walnuts.
Patterson Nut’s facility has been in continuous operation as a walnut processing plant since the early 1970’s. Since the Jensen’s took over, the plant has been significantly improved, modernized, and expanded. Patterson Nut Company, Inc., now purchases walnuts from over 100 California walnut growers. The business has grown steadily over the years, based on a very simple philosophy of loyalty, honesty and hard work, while making every effort to be worthy of the trust placed in Patterson Nut Company by growers to efficiently process and market their crops.
