Out In the Groves

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OUT IN THE GROVES

Bob McKellar created Farmer Bob's World to form a connection between consumer and farm through agricultural tours.

Words by Lifestyle Staff

Images provided by McKellar Family Farms

Tourism is arguably one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world. And agriculture is the primary industry in most of the Central Valley. Combine the two, and you find a common attraction in our area: agritourism. Some may not even realize their experiences fall under this category: farm stands, u-pick farms, farm dinners, farm-fresh food tastings, horseback riding, and farm tours are all forms of agritourism. It often tells the story of agriculture and food production while offering an engaging experience and education element. Just outside of Visalia, in the rural area of Ivanhoe, a working citrus farm offers agritourism through a real farm experience. They host orchard tours and educate guests about how oranges and mandarins are grown, protected, and harvested.

Bob and his sister Noreen

Visitors from Quebec, Canada with their fresh harvest

The walking tour allows time to pick your own oranges.

THAT’S WHERE FARMER BOB’S WORLD COMES IN. THEY AIM TO EDUCATE BY FOSTERING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FARMERS, FOOD, AND CONSUMERS.

McKellar Family Farms’ story began in 1927, when Hugh Angus McKellar and his wife, Vernice, along with Vernice’s father John Jordan, purchased the property in Ivanhoe. Over the years, they farmed many types of produce including Thompson grapes, olives, oranges, and mandarins. Their son and daughter, Bob and Norene, attended Visalia Union High School, and Bob went on to graduate college in 1953 at Cal Poly with degrees in Animal Husbandry and Ag Journalism. Hugh continued to farm up until his passing in 1972, and Vernice passed in 2002 at the age of 102. Bob and Norene were involved with helping manage the farm since their father’s passing. Bob was living in Oregon, where he owned and operated a public relations agency, but would make monthly visits to the Valley to keep the farm operating with the help of many loyal staff members (one of whom still works on the farm today). He would communicate with staff by fax machine and phone when not on the farm. In 2002, upon his mother’s passing, he permanently relocated back to the farm. Today, the McKellar legacy and working citrus farm continues through the leadership of Bob and his wife Ann, having evolved into many different offerings. These adaptations include beloved local event venue Historic Seven Sycamores, a CSA collaboration with other local farmers (Family Farm Fresh), and a farm stay in the 80-year-old McKellar family home. But there’s another farm venture Bob McKellar is fiercely passionate about: Farmer Bob’s World.

It could be assumed that living in the Central Valley surrounded by agriculture offers many opportunities for community members to see behind the scenes of operations. However, it’s not as accessible as one might think. That’s where Farmer Bob’s World comes in. They aim to educate by fostering the relationship between farmers, food, and consumers. Throughout the year, they host many different schools, families, businesses, community members, and travelers through farm tours. Farmer Bob’s World Executive Director Deanna Saldana shares, “We’ve discovered that consumers don’t have a clear understanding of where their food comes from. Farmer Bob aims to connect people to their food by giving them a chance to experience firsthand what being a citrus farmer is like.” Deanna says they’ve given tours to families from Florida and Alaska on the same day and have had bus tours of people from other countries like Germany, France, and Canada. “Providing an opportunity for people to learn about the Central Valley citrus industry has far-reaching benefits when appreciation grows for food and farming,” she shares. They also host local schools and families where children get the opportunity to meet Farmer Bob, tour the orchards in a tractor-pulled wagon, pick oranges, taste freshly squeezed orange juice, and visit with the farm animals.

Farmer Bob and his wife, Ann.

A young Bob McKellar at Cal Poly, circa 1967.

A group tour on a tractor-pulled wagon.

Bob McKellar has bigger dreams for Farmer Bob’s World. As a former member of the California Citrus Mutual Board, he believes it’s critical for the industry’s longevity to have a strong relationship with the public. He aspires to build an interactive exhibit that further educates the public about citrus farming. The key exhibits would feature:

» Raising awareness of global sales and local economical impact

» Water technologies and consumption

» Pest management and environmental impacts

» Research on pest and disease prevention

» Wind machine usage

» The importance of harvest workers

» Varietal breeding

BOB WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT HE LOVES FOR AS LONG AS HE CAN: WORKING AND LIVING ON THE FARM—A FARM THAT HAS TURNED INTO SOMETHING FAR BEYOND BOB’S PARENTS' WILDEST DREAMS.

At 92 years old, Bob hopes to see the exhibit come to fruition in his lifetime. Aside from educating the public about farming, he says the part of the business he appreciates most is "working alongside a group of dedicated, enthusiastic employees at McKellar Farms." One thing is for certain, Bob will continue to do what he loves for as long as he can: working and living on the farm—a farm that has turned into something far beyond Bob’s parents' wildest dreams.

A rendering depicts the future Farmer Bob's World exhibit.

LEARN ABOUT THEIR UPCOMING EVENT: DINNER IN THE GROVES

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 5:30PM-9PM

www.farmerbobsworld.com