Mike Cassidy was the first to “find” the fourth $100 Manteca Bulletin virtual pumpkin hidden at Van Groningen & Sons.
The clues were:
*East of Manteca — The family farm is located 14631 S. Jack Tone Road (near Jack Tone Road and French Camp Road) where you will find a roadside produce stand complete with a pumpkin patch and fall decor items that is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
*Yosemite Fresh — Yosemite Fresh is the official label for Van Groningen & Sons watermelons.
*Four Corners — The Van Groningen operation is located just south of Four Corners where French Camp Road, Lone Tree Road, and Jack Tone Road intersect by the Santa Fe Railroad tracks.
*Lots of pumpkins — Van Groningen & Sons have a wide array of pumpkin varieties available. The pumpkin patch features 50 to 80 different varieties of pumpkins
Van Groningen & Sons is a continuation of a farming operation that started in California in 1922 by Henry Van Groningen Sr. Henry arrived in America in 1910 from the Netherlands. ‘
He first farmed in Minnesota but then moved to Hanford, California in the Fresno area in 1922. There he started a dairy.
In 1929 the family moved to Ripon, California. With the help of his four sons, Henry started another dairy and by 1939 began farming row crops. In 1945 Art and his brother, Henry, took over the family farm.
Thes partnership between Art and his brother lasted for 25 years. After this long and successful partnership between the brothers, it became clear the next generation was ready to get involved.
Art's two sons, Robert and Dan, returned from military service and were ready to step into the family business. After they joined the business it only seemed natural that the two younger brothers, John and Marvin, would follow.
For 30 years Art's four sons refined and expanded the family business successfully. With the new millennium Art's grandchildren began stepping in, all sharing their fathers' passion for the family business. Jason, Bryan, Ryan, and Paul have all joined Van Groningen & Sons, each bringing their own talents and expertise as well as their passion to continually improve this business that bears their name.
The Van Groningen name has now become closely linked to melons, sweet corn, fall decor, and almonds.
For more information go to the Van Groningen & Sons website.
Clues for this year’s fifth and final $100 pumpkin will appear in Saturday’s Bulletin.
