Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Wighton.
Hi Amber, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Ojai, California, surrounded by Valencia orange groves, where I developed a deep appreciation for agriculture and the hard work that goes into growing exceptional citrus. That early connection to farming inspired me to continue the tradition with my own family through Wighton Family Farm on California’s Central Coast.
Today, we are a family-run farm specializing in Valencia oranges grown in our unique coastal climate, where cool ocean breezes and mild temperatures produce incredibly sweet fruit. From harvesting every orange by hand to carefully packing each box and shipping it directly to customers across the country, our family is involved in every step. What began as a childhood surrounded by citrus has grown into a passion for sharing the taste of the Central Coast while preserving the values of family farming.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No it took a lot of trial and error with patient customers to figure out the best shipping service and boxes to use to ensure the fruit wasn’t damaged upon arrival! It also took a lot of time to figure out the best harvest times. I learned that if I harvested early in the morning, the fruit would hold up much better in shipping because it was cold. We don’t refrigerate, because the fruit loses so much flavor and nutrients. I figured out that harvesting while the fruit was cold was a natural way to preserve its integrity so it would arrive perfect to the customer.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Wighton Family Farm?
Wighton Family Farm is a family-owned citrus farm on California’s Central Coast specializing in premium Valencia oranges. Our unique coastal climate produces exceptionally sweet, juicy fruit that ripens later than in many other growing regions, allowing the oranges to develop outstanding flavor while remaining naturally tree-ripened.
What sets us apart is that our family is involved in every step of the process. We grow, hand-harvest, pack, and ship our oranges the very same day they’re picked, ensuring they arrive as fresh as possible. By shipping directly from our farm to homes across the country, we deliver a true farm-to-door experience and a taste of California that most people can’t find in a grocery store.
We’re especially proud of preserving a piece of California’s citrus heritage. As Valencia oranges become increasingly rare on the Central Coast, we’re committed to keeping that tradition alive while delivering exceptional quality and personal service. Every box represents our family’s dedication to freshness, hard work, and sharing fruit we’ve grown with our own hands.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I see myself as taking a risk each time a box goes out because it’s going to reach the actual consumer. I’m not a third party farm that can hide under a larger brand, it’s just us and our family. If our fruit doesn’t arrive perfect and if I don’t pick the best of that days harvest, that customer might not return.
Pricing:
- $43 for a 5 lb box of Valencias
- $46 for a combo box of organic hass avocados and valencias
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Wightonfamilyfarm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wightonfamilyfarm?utm_source=qr
