THE TRADITION OF MURRAY FAMILY FARMS BEGAN OUT OF HARDSHIP.

The Murray Family Farms barns will have you thinking you're seeing colors. You actually are—and if you're from the South Valley you've probably heard of them, too. This fifth-generation farming family is now led by Steve and Vickie Murray of Bakersfield, California. The family's agricultural history stretches as far back as the 1920s, when their prize-winning pigs were featured in Swine World Magazine.

The tradition of Murray Family Farms began out of hardship. The day Steve’s mother was born was also the day Steve’s grandfather passed away during a beekeeping accident; the family lost their farm. Annabelle Murray, Steve’s mother, continued to carry a passion for agriculture that she passed on to her son.

As a boy, Steve planted a miniature orchard with his father, experimenting with different cherry varieties. But again, tragedy struck: His own father passed away suddenly when Steve was a teenager. Forced from their riverside home and into government assistance, Steve took to the soil once more, planting a garden to help feed his family. Determined to pursue his agricultural dream, he worked his way through college with the support of public assistance and scholarships, ultimately graduating from the University of California, Riverside with a degree in Plant Science.

Steve’s dream began to take shape when he met Vickie, who brought her own passion for conservation and hospitality, along with a degree from the University of Idaho. Together, they shared a vision of building a life on the land. In 1983, they launched S.M. Apiaries, a venture that quickly grew to 300 beehives. That success gave them the means to purchase a 20-acre table grape farm just outside Bakersfield.

One day, an opportunity arrived that would forever change the trajectory of the Murray farm. They were asked to grow new cherry varieties. Remembering his childhood orchard with his father, Steve decided to take the chance. The risk paid off in extraordinary ways.

The farm’s unique location at the base of the Tehachapi Mountains created a microclimate that produced an unexpectedly early cherry harvest. Pairing these new varieties with traditional farming techniques, the Murrays discovered they were harvesting the first cherries in the world each season. International buyers from Europe, China, and Japan quickly took notice. With little more than determination and a commitment to freshness, the family shipped fruit directly after harvest. Their philosophy of “Pick Today for Tomorrow” set them apart and established their enduring promise: “Grown Ripe for You.”

That spirit of innovation remains central to the farm. Today, Murray Family Farms grows more than 350 varieties of fruit, including a remarkable collection of rare and exotic produce curated by Steven Murray Jr., who now manages the West Coast’s largest collection of unique crops. His work has brought attention from television and online platforms, introducing even more people to the Murray family’s pioneering efforts.

The farm’s success also allowed the Murrays to fulfill a dream: sharing the joy of farming with the public. Their first roadside stop, the Little Purple Barn, welcomed visitors off Interstate 5. But it was the opening of the Big Red Barn on Highway 58 that truly put them on the map. Families began arriving from near and far to pick fruit, ride tractors, and explore the farm. As the crowds grew, the Murrays added attractions to keep visitors entertained, from a giant bounce pillow to a playground. Today, the Big Red Barn welcomes a quarter of a million schoolchildren each year to learn about agriculture and pick their own produce.

“Vickie and I began the business with our babies in backpacks, selling fresh-picked ripe fruit at local farmers markets,” Steve shares. “That love of directly connecting with our customers and the affirmations we received about our unique fruit offerings motivated us to develop our family-oriented U-pick farm venues, markets, and off-site connections at farmers markets. Now, it’s something that employs our entire family.”

Over time, Murray Family Farms has grown into a destination full of activities, including a three-story slide, a swirling vortex tunnel, paintball, giant cannons, and Bakersfield’s first musical playground. The farm has even partnered with major brands such as Universal Pictures, Disney, and Electronic Arts to bring added excitement to seasonal events.

Still, their heart remains in tradition. “It warms my heart to see multigenerational Murray Family Farms fanatics returning year after year, creating fond memories and sharing precious time together,” says Steve.

To learn more about Murray Family Farms, visit one of their locations:

Big Red Barn: 6700 General Beale Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93307

The Little Purple Barn: 9557 Copus Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93313

661-330-0100

murrayfamilyfarms.org @murrayfamilyfarms