The Farms

Meet The Women Who Grow Sumo Citrus

In honor of International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who grow Sumo Citrus and their unique connection to this legendary fruit. Discover the inspiring stories of these amazing Sumo Citrus growers.

Although these aren’t the only women who grow Sumo Citrus, we’re inspired by their growing obsession. We’re also introducing you to the newest Sumo Citrus micro-farmer!

From honoring a loved one’s memory to leaving a legacy for the next generation to beginning a new backyard citrus-growing journey, these women inspire us with their commitment to cultivating and sharing the world’s most loved fruit. Read on for their stories.

Julie Imbimbo Grows Sumo Citrus to Stay Connected to Her Late Husband’s Dream

Paradise Acres is an appropriate name for Julie Imbimbo’s Sumo Citrus farm in southern California. Julie — an original Super Fan of Sumo Citrus — started growing the fruit with her husband, Al, about a decade ago. But, in 2015, shortly before their farm’s first large-scale crop was ready to harvest, Al passed away of cancer.

“It was extremely important to me that this was his legacy,” Julie says. So, though it broke her heart that Al didn’t live to see their dream come true, she knew she had to carry on.

“I made the decision,” she says. “This was going to be my life — and our life — and my connection with him.”

Every time Julie sinks her teeth into the juicy, seedless fruit, she remembers why she does this work. And the taste is pure perfection to her.

“Once you try them… I’ve got people hooked for life on Sumo Citrus,” she says.

Julie knows that it’s hard to stop with just one Sumo Citrus, and she loves that the season is a reason to celebrate (and stock up)!

“It’s not just going to be out there all the time, and you miss that flavor,” she says.

What a great reminder to live in the moment and celebrate joy when you find it!

Kellie Neufeld, First-Generation Farmer Building a Family Legacy

Six years ago, Kellie Neufeld’s family bought a plot of land in the rural San Joaquin Valley in California. The farmland was plenty fertile but completely bare. Today, groves of Sumo Citrus trees stretch as far as the eye can see. Kellie and her family are in the fields day in and day out, year round, tending to the trees long before their super-sweet and enormous fruit ripens.

For Kellie’s family, their Sumo Citrus harvest is the most exciting time of the year. She brings donuts and cookies for everyone, the kids stay home to help out — and everyone hand-picks and then carefully packs the fruit. The work and love that Kellie and her family put into growing Sumo Citrus are evident in every juicy bite.

“It’s great to see what we’ve done this year, and to see it all culminate to that point,” says Kellie.

Kellie grew up in Orange County, but she fell in love with working the land when she fell in love with her husband, who was raised on a farm. After college, the self-proclaimed city girl moved to the country to grow citrus with her sweetheart. And now? She’s a farmer for life.

“Sumo Citrus is what we’re leaving behind,” she says. “It’s what we’re leaving to our kids.”

Jenna Fischer, the Only Backyard Sumo Citrus Grower

It was love at first bite for Jenna Fischer, the actress best known for her role as Pam on The Office.

After Fischer, an avid baker and gardener, tried her very first Sumo Citrus, she was hooked on the super-sweet, juicy fruit. Then her annual habit turned into a full-fledged healthy obsession. Jenna pleaded with us to let her add a Sumo Citrus tree to her backyard citrus grove, where she and her husband Lee were already growing grapefruit, figs, kumquats, Meyer lemons and apples. A Sumo Citrus tree would not only be appreciated, she assured us, but also well-tended. Even better? She donates her excess fruit to food pantries so that nothing goes to waste!

Jenna Fischer

“We’re here,” she told us. “We’re waiting.”

Jenna’s patience paid off. We delivered Jenna her very own Sumo Citrus tree, along with careful instructions on raising this most delicate fruit and some coaching from expert grower Roger Smith. We love to watch it grow each year.

Julie, Kellie, and now Jenna exemplify the hard work and passion required of growing Sumo Citrus, and we have them to thank for bringing more of this enormously delicious fruit into the world. Their commitment to raising this special fruit is inspiring, and it’s safe to say, the world is sweeter because of their efforts.

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