Sunkist® stories, articles & musings

From Montana cattle country to California citrus groves — four generations rooted in the land.

If you ask Warren Lyall how his family ended up growing citrus in Pauma Valley, he’ll tell you it started long before he was born — with a bold move, a little intuition, and a lot of faith in unfamiliar ground.

A New Kind of Farming

The Lyall story begins in 1931, when Warren’s grandfather left Montana, where he had been a cattle rancher. Always searching for the next place to build a life, he traveled west, eventually making his way into northern San Diego County.

When he reached Pauma Valley, something clicked.

The hills reminded him of home.
The quiet felt familiar.
And the land — though new to him — seemed full of potential.

So in 1933, he moved the family to the valley full‑time, despite not knowing a thing about citrus. The learning curve was steep, but the Lyalls stuck with it. Over the decades, they built a grove that has now supported four generations of the family.

Today, the ranch grows Navel oranges, Cara Cara Navels, and Valencia oranges, continuing the work begun nearly a century ago.

A Passion Passed Down — Carefully and Naturally

When Warren and his wife were raising their two sons, Andy and Tim, they didn’t assume the boys would follow in their footsteps. Farming is a demanding life, and passion can’t be forced.

“We knew we couldn’t expect our sons to feel the same way about farming that we did,” Warren says. “But watching that passion develop in both of them has been a real blessing.”

Growing up in the grove, Andy and Tim learned the rhythms of the seasons — checking irrigation lines, watching for ripeness, working beside their dad. What began as chores slowly turned into genuine commitment.

Today, both sons share Warren’s belief that the land is something to enjoy, but also something to care for, protect, and pass forward.

It’s not just work.
It’s stewardship.

Community Roots, Global Reach

Pauma Valley has its own close‑knit community of growers — people who understand the ups and downs of the land, the long days, and the deep rewards. But being part of Sunkist gives the Lyalls a broader sense of connection.

“We enjoy the camaraderie here in Pauma Valley,” Warren says, “but we also love that we’re part of something bigger than just this valley.”

As Sunkist growers, the Lyalls contribute to a legacy shared with thousands of other family farms across California and Arizona. Their fruit travels far beyond local markets — feeding people across the country and around the world.

For Warren, Andy, and Tim, that collective purpose matters.

“We’re all working together to produce the best quality fruit we can,” Warren says, “to help feed people around the world.”