Growing the future: Women making an impact in the tree nut industry
Women across the tree nut industry are driving innovation, sustainability and leadership. Meet the individuals making a lasting impact.
Key takeaways
- Women are playing a growing leadership role across the tree nut industry
- Contributions span farming, research, processing and product innovation
- Sustainability and innovation are key themes across all profiles
- Multi-generation operations continue to evolve with new leadership
- The feature aligns with the International Year of the Woman Farmer
In orchards, processing facilities and research labs across the U.S., women are reshaping the tree nut industry. From innovating new products to leading family operations and advancing sustainable practices, their impact can be felt at every stage of production.
As 2026 is recognized globally as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, this spotlight celebrates the ingenuity, leadership and expertise women bring to farms, institutions and communities. By blending hands-on experience with new technologies and forward-thinking ideas, they are cultivating stronger operations and a more resilient agriculture industry.
This feature highlights a few remarkable women — some familiar faces, some rising leaders — who are making a difference across the tree nut industry.
Kortney Chase
PECAN FARMER, CHASE PECAN AND FOUNDER, PECANA
As a third-generation pecan farmer, Kortney Chase has taken her family’s operation to new heights. Growing up immersed in the orchard, she learned the business from the ground up, guided by her father and grandfather’s legacy as well as her own drive to grow something lasting. Today, she leads one of the nation’s top pecan operations, blending traditional farming practices with innovative approaches to marketing, processing and product development.
Chase has worked to expand the ways Americans consume pecans, showcasing them in smoothies, salads and now in plant-based dairy with her brand Pecana.
Reflecting on her experience as one of the few women in many industry events, she said: “I spent so much time looking around noticing I was the only woman in a lot of conferences and industry events. I feel like I wasted a lot of time instead of just proving I belonged there by showing my work ethic and my passion for the pecan itself.”
Chase blends her family roots with bold ideas, driving innovation across farming and product development while redefining how Americans enjoy pecans.
Christine Roth
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAZELNUT GROWERS OF OREGON
When Christine Roth stepped into the role of executive director of Hazelnut Growers of Oregon in 2025, she brought a bold vision for the state’s expanding hazelnut industry. Tasked with supporting growers, opening new markets and guiding the community through a period of rapid growth, Roth has quickly become a driving force in Oregon agriculture.
She works to help growers adopt innovative production techniques, navigate market challenges and strengthen the industry’s foundation for the future. With a focus on sustainability and collaboration, Roth is cultivating a resilient hazelnut sector that honors its roots while embracing new opportunities.
Nisha Baugher-Carrow & Rania Baugher-Heaney
CEO & PRESIDENT, BAUGHER RANCH ORGANICS
Responsible for roughly a third of California’s organic almonds, sisters Nisha Baugher-Carrow and Rania Baugher-Heaney lead Baugher Ranch Organics, a family business that has grown from a 135-acre farm into a fully integrated operation.
Reflecting on their parents’ early years, Nisha said, “In 1983, my parents converted 135 acres of conventional almonds into organic, and were shunned by my father’s family and neighbors. They stuck to their guns, continued to put their best foot forward, and started processing and farming organic almonds.”
Today, Baugher Ranch Organics invests in automation, solar energy and eco-friendly farming practices to expand the organic almond market while preserving a legacy of stewardship and family-driven values.
Maisie Jane Hurtado
FOUNDER, MAISIE JANE’S CALIFORNIA SUNSHINE PRODUCTS
Coming from a fourth-generation almond-growing family, Maisie Jane Hurtado has turned her passion for farming into a thriving business. At 17, she started her company using money earned from selling a flock of Suffolk sheep, eventually building Maisie Jane’s California Sunshine Products into a brand that sells almonds, nut butters, honey and gift baskets nationwide.
Hurtado balances growth with sustainable farming practices, partnering with UC Davis to study native bees and incorporating cover crops to support soil and pollinator health.
Hurtado noted, “We all want alive and fertile soils for future generations. Bridging the gap between consumer and farmers has always been at the forefront of our efforts.”
Her vertically integrated approach, from orchards to finished products, gives her insights that inform both innovation and sustainability in her business.
Mae Culumber
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SPECIALIST, UC ANR
Since joining University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) Cooperative Extension in 2016, Mae Culumber has been a trusted partner for Fresno County’s nut growers, tackling the practical challenges of orchard management and crop productivity. As a nut crop advisor, she conducts applied research and provides outreach on soil health, water management and nutrition strategies, helping growers implement sustainable practices that are feasible in day-to-day operations.
Culumber’s work is focused on keeping orchards productive, resilient and environmentally responsible. By bridging research and practical solutions, she empowers growers to enhance the sustainability and long-term viability of nut crop agriculture, ensuring that today’s orchards are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
FAQ
Why is 2026 significant for women in agriculture?
It is recognized globally as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
What roles do women play in the tree nut industry?
They lead farms, run organizations, conduct research and develop products.
What industries are represented in this feature?
Pecans, hazelnuts and almonds, along with research and extension.
What themes connect these profiles?
Innovation, sustainability, leadership and multi-generation farming.
Why highlight these individuals?
To showcase their impact and contributions across the industry.