Meet the Farmers Growing Your Morning Orange Juice

Gless Ranch, a family-owned citrus farm in California, spans over 10,000 acres and specializes in various fruits, including Navel oranges, Valencia oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, and lemons.

Why it matters
Historic Roots: Established in 1958 by John J. Gless and his wife Janet, Gless Ranch blends traditional family values with advanced agricultural practices. John S. Gless, Vice President and son, shared his early involvement, "I started getting into the business when I was just 14. It was a choice between pursuing motocross and helping my father with the citrus business—it was a decision I’ve never regretted.”

Global Reach: Gless Ranch’s fruits are shipped across the United States and worldwide, reaching destinations like China, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. "Our goal is to have the best fruit available globally," says Gless.

Innovative Techniques: Utilizing cutting-edge irrigation and weather monitoring systems, Gless Ranch prioritizes crop health and water efficiency. "We’ve been doing this for so long that we know our land well, but we’re always looking for ways to improve," Gless shared.

Equipment Quality: Gless Ranch switched to John Deere equipment over 20 years ago. They currently have 20, 5115-M tractors. Gless emphasized the critical role of machine reliability and dealer support, noting, “Our machines run full throttle... 12-13 hours a day” for various tasks like spraying, shredding, blading, discing and skirting. He shared how important his dealer relationship has been to the upkeep and maintenance.

Looking ahead: Gless Ranch is dedicated to maintaining high standards of quality and sustainability, striving to keep their citrus among the world’s favorites. To do this, they adopt innovative growing and harvesting methods and ensure that every piece of equipment meets their needs.

Read More