While this year’s Stanislaus County Fair is celebrating and honoring the nut industry with their theme, our very own Stewart and Jasper has a celebration of their own going on. Sixty years ago, Romain Stewart and Lee Jasper started their longtime partnership by forming Stewart & Jasper Poultry, Inc. and went into business by raising turkeys and later planted walnut and almond trees.

Nut hulling and processing was added through the years and the company today, simply known as Stewart & Japer, has many facets – Stewart & Jasper Orchards, Stewart & Jasper Marketing, S & F Farms and Stewart & Jasper Company Store to name a few. Growing, hulling, processing, further processing, marketing and retail sales are all now part of the day to day operations. Their products are truly “From the Ground Up.”

The company today is run by Lee’s son Jim and grandson Jason.

In celebration of their 60th Anniversary, the company hosted a magnificent event for their growers and business associates in one of their facility warehouses. From the absolutely phenomenal decorations, to the food and wonderful music provided by Ernie Bucio’s Little Big Band, not one single detail was overlooked. Those attending were delighted to enjoy an “Almond Martini” developed especially for the evening and took home commemorative gifts as well.

To my delight, I was offered an invitation to attend this wonderful event and quickly volunteered to be the photographer for the evening. It was certainly a great deal of fun to capture the event from behind the camera. I can honestly say that I believe everyone who attended has a fabulous time.

Jim and Jason both have always claimed that the success of their company comes through the efforts of all of their staff. That was very evident on Saturday evening as many employees expressed their gratitude for working for such a wonderful company and caring employers. The ladies of the office certainly outdid themselves, as they were all dressed in 40’s attire and worked like busy little bees to help make the event the success that it was.

Though they give much credit to their employees, Jim, Jason and their families, are people that your certainly don’t mind being kind and dedicated to. Down to earth, kind and unassuming are qualities that best describe them.

Our community is certainly lucky to have such a great employer and company like Stewart & Jasper in our midst. Through the years they have been extremely supportive of educational, sports and civic projects.

We wish them many congratulations on their 60th Anniversary!

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