Meet Manzanita Manor Organics

At Narrative Food, each of our gifts is designed to tell a story. We have worked with hundreds of vendors over the years, listening to their stories and sharing them with you. In this new series, we are honored to spotlight a few of our favorite small-batch makers in their own words. 

Walnuts that protect our watershed one tree at a time

We've been sourcing from Cynthia Douglas and Jutta Thoerner at Manzanita Manor Organics for over a decade, dating back to our farm-to-table home delivery days in Los Angeles. What impressed us then (and still does) is their commitment to regenerative agriculture and soil health that sets them apart from conventional walnut growers.

When Cynthia and Jutta founded Manzanita Manor Organics in 1997, they weren't just starting a walnut farm – they were embarking on a mission to show that farming can heal the land rather than deplete it. Their focus on soil health led them to embrace dry-farming techniques that work with natural systems rather than against them. Since 1997, they've been growing organically certified walnuts using only rainwater – never irrigation – which creates intensely flavored walnuts while actively protecting precious water resources for future generations. 

"What that means is whatever rain comes down from the sky is the water that they're getting," explained Jutta in an interview with KQED. This isn't just about crossing fingers and hoping for rain – it's a proven agricultural practice that was standard across California just 50-60 years ago, before intensive irrigation changed farming forever. 

The process requires careful soil preparation, strategic tree spacing, and precise timing. Starting in November with seeding the orchard with an  organic covercrop, which feeds the soil and is a habitat for pollinators.  This “green manure” gets tilled under in April, being the only natural fertilizer for the walnut trees the farm uses. Using a ring roller, a "dust mulch" is created – essentially sealing moisture into the soil by smoothing the surface. All the walnut trees are spaced 30-40 feet apart, so they don't compete for water or nutrients.  The varieties of walnuts planted are heirlooms: Hartley and Franquettes. hardy, deep-rooted stock that can withstand the dry months from may-november better than the newly bred varieties. Did we mention that they also taste delicious?

The dry farmed method is tough on the trees now that we are seeing more drought years in California. As Jutta explains, "In years when we are not getting more than 10-14 inches of  rain fall,  the moisture in the soil is not enough to sustain our trees through a 6 month dry season." The farm has lost trees and seen reduced harvests – their walnut crop goes  down by  up to 30% in drought conditions. 

But rather than abandon their principles, Cynthia and Jutta have doubled down on innovation. They protect vulnerable grafted branches with chicken wire cages covered in shade cloth ("It looked ridiculous but it worked," Jutta notes), and they continue planting new trees next to the stumps of those lost to drought. 

Why? "We really love the farm and  the surrounding California woodland untouched for hundreds of years. Our customers’ appreciation for the products, the letters, e-mails keep us going. We believe farming organically, sustainably is the right thing to do." 

Their dry-farmed walnuts are smaller than irrigation-grown varieties, but what they lack in size they make up for in flavor – a concentrated, buttery taste that is beloved by their customers.

Beyond the walnuts, Manzanita Manor Organics runs on solar power and believes in giving back by donating their walnuts annually to local food banks. 

Our Walnuts for the Watershed 

We've been sourcing from Cynthia and Jutta for over a decade because their commitment aligns perfectly with our mission to support small-scale makers who prioritize environmental stewardship. Our Walnuts for the Watershed celebrate not just the superior taste of dry-farmed nuts, but the farming practices that protect water resources for entire communities. Available now in Ready-to-Ship Gifts, Build-Your-Own Boxes, and Custom Projects.

Sources: Manzanita Manor Organics website and "In Face of Drought, San Luis Obispo Farmer Advocates Dry Farming" by Lisa Morehouse, KQED, 2015