GROWINGTHEGOODNESS
Farm-to-City: An Interview with Tricia Paoluccio
Tricia Paoluccio knows it’s a privilege to be an almond
farmer. Even though her family has a small orchard,
they still feel very proud to be part of the farming
community. Currently living in New York City, she
doesn’t know how many people in The Big Apple have
a true understanding of what it is like to work on the
land, grow a crop and be a responsible caretaker.
The editor of Almond Facts caught up with Tricia to
discuss successfully bridging farming life with city life.
AF: How did your family get their start in almond
farming?
TP:
My parents wanted to raise their kids in the
country with chickens, a garden and fruit trees. In 1976,
they purchased a six-acre almond orchard, that soon
expanded to 40 acres, on Kiernan Avenue in Modesto.
Farming was extremely new to my parents. My dad
was a practicing mechanical engineer and inventor
focusing on environmental innovation and my mom – a
former teacher – is an antique collector, authenticator,
wildlife habitat naturalist, and gardener (she’s won first
prize or best of show at the Stanislaus County Fair for
her sweet pickles). Our family was grateful for all the
help and guidance they received over the years. The
Regusci family and other neighbor friends were quick to
provide a tractor and to cut the orchard grass before it
was three feet tall. Living on an almond ranch is a huge
source of pride for our family.
AF: How would you describe yourself?
TP:
I have always loved acting, singing, the arts. Even
though I live in New York City, I consider myself a
farm girl at heart. Whenever possible, I come home to
Modesto and visit my parents; it’s my favorite place to
be. I love to can fruit every summer, and make jams and
jellies. I love to make soap and candles with my sister-
in-law. I love farm chores and taking care of animals
and working in the yard. Now that I am a mom to two
young boys, I feel it’s one of my top priorities to teach
them how to live and work on a farm and balance out
their city life in New York. They definitely want to live
in Modesto when they grow up.
AF: What was it like growing up as a farming family
and on an orchard?
TP:
I loved my childhood growing up in Modesto and
on a farm. I have been through our 40 acres – to
the canal and back – so many thousands of times,
with dogs, on a gator, on bikes, a four wheeler, with
family and friends and now my own kids. Our almond
orchard means so much to me and I never want to see
it go. My husband and I were married in the middle
of the orchard, in a chapel my brother built. Growing
up, I loved that there was space to roam around with
such freedom. It is ironic that I now live in Midtown
Manhattan in a small apartment!
AF: Do you have any favorite childhood memories or
traditions?
TP:
We used to have talent shows, neighborhood BBQs
and family reunions in our barn. My parent’s property
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A L M O N D F A C T S
