In the early 1960’s, Judd Ingram became interested in growing kiwifruit in the San Joaquin Valley of California. In 1966, with the help of the California Department of Agriculture, he obtained a permit to import 20 kiwifruit plants from New Zealand, which he immediately potted into five gallon cans. After he saw their successful growth, Ingram ordered 200 more plants, which he planted directly into the field in 1967. 

Judd Ingram started his own kiwifruit nursery and sold plants for many years throughout the San Joaquin Valley. He packed his own fruit since there were no other packers to do it. The 1980’s saw an increase in overall California kiwifruit production, and quality has become competitive with the best kiwifruit in the world.