Producer
Maisie Janes, CHICO
Address: 3764 Hegan Lane CHICO, CA, 95928
County: BUTTE
Phone: 530-809-2436
Website: maisiejanes.com
About Us
How The Farming All Began
It started with Natalie’s son, Bernard “Big Ben” Bertagna, who inherited his father’s green thumb and passion for farming. By age twelve, he was already volunteering in neighboring almond orchards. At seventeen, he purchased his very first twenty acres of almond trees—a bold step that set our family firmly on the path of almond farming.
Big Ben dedicated his life to the orchards. Farming almonds is labor-intensive, but deeply rewarding, and he poured his energy into expanding and nurturing the land whenever he could.
A New Generation Takes Root
Together with his wife, Carmen, Big Ben raised three sons—Ben Jr. “Lit’l Ben” (Maisie Jane’s father), Nick, and Andy—who grew up surrounded by orchards. From an early age, they learned the rhythms of farming life. Ben Jr. fondly remembers driving a tractor as a child, before he could reach the pedals: “My dad would just stick wood blocks on the pedal to work as extensions of my short legs.”
Those early lessons built a strong work ethic and a deep respect for the family’s farming tradition. The three brothers carried that legacy forward, joining their father to form Bertagna Orchards, Inc., ensuring the family passion for almonds continued to grow.
It started with Natalie’s son, Bernard “Big Ben” Bertagna, who inherited his father’s green thumb and passion for farming. By age twelve, he was already volunteering in neighboring almond orchards. At seventeen, he purchased his very first twenty acres of almond trees—a bold step that set our family firmly on the path of almond farming.
Big Ben dedicated his life to the orchards. Farming almonds is labor-intensive, but deeply rewarding, and he poured his energy into expanding and nurturing the land whenever he could.
A New Generation Takes Root
Together with his wife, Carmen, Big Ben raised three sons—Ben Jr. “Lit’l Ben” (Maisie Jane’s father), Nick, and Andy—who grew up surrounded by orchards. From an early age, they learned the rhythms of farming life. Ben Jr. fondly remembers driving a tractor as a child, before he could reach the pedals: “My dad would just stick wood blocks on the pedal to work as extensions of my short legs.”
Those early lessons built a strong work ethic and a deep respect for the family’s farming tradition. The three brothers carried that legacy forward, joining their father to form Bertagna Orchards, Inc., ensuring the family passion for almonds continued to grow.
Practices
A Legacy That Keeps Growing
From those first orchards, the Bertagna family’s love for farming in Northern California has flourished across four generations. That same dedication eventually inspired a new chapter—Maisie Jane’s.
The vision for Maisie Jane’s began to take root when a 17-year-old Maisie sold her FFA sheep project and invested in almonds from her family’s orchard in 1993. What started as a simple dream—to share healthier, dry-roasted almond snacks—slowly blossomed into a business. With recipes inspired by her mom and determination all her own, Maisie began selling at farmers markets and local stores.
More than 30 years later, with the invaluable contributions of Maisie’s husband Isidro, that vision has blossomed into a thriving family business—sharing California sunshine, wholesome nut products, and thoughtful gift baskets with homes nationwide.
Today, Maisie Jane and Isidro continue the farming tradition—growing almonds, running the business, and raising their three daughters with the same love for agriculture that has shaped the family for generations. At Maisie Jane’s, farming and food will always be personal. Behind every product is a hardworking team—and at the heart of it, a family.
From those first orchards, the Bertagna family’s love for farming in Northern California has flourished across four generations. That same dedication eventually inspired a new chapter—Maisie Jane’s.
The vision for Maisie Jane’s began to take root when a 17-year-old Maisie sold her FFA sheep project and invested in almonds from her family’s orchard in 1993. What started as a simple dream—to share healthier, dry-roasted almond snacks—slowly blossomed into a business. With recipes inspired by her mom and determination all her own, Maisie began selling at farmers markets and local stores.
More than 30 years later, with the invaluable contributions of Maisie’s husband Isidro, that vision has blossomed into a thriving family business—sharing California sunshine, wholesome nut products, and thoughtful gift baskets with homes nationwide.
Today, Maisie Jane and Isidro continue the farming tradition—growing almonds, running the business, and raising their three daughters with the same love for agriculture that has shaped the family for generations. At Maisie Jane’s, farming and food will always be personal. Behind every product is a hardworking team—and at the heart of it, a family.