Harris Ranch

The Harris family’s commitment to agriculture spans over 100 years, four generations, and four states, from Mississippi to Texas, to Arizona, and eventually into California. The Fresno County farm has been under continuous family operation since 1937. Since its founding, Harris Farms has grown into one of the largest agribusinesses in the nation.

In the late 1880s, the Harris family moved from Mississippi to Texas. In 1916 J.A. Harris and his wife, Kate, arrived in the Imperial Valley to establish one of California’s first cotton gins as well as other cotton-related businesses. They later farmed in the San Joaquin Valley in the 1920′ s and moved up to the Sacramento Valley where their only son, Jack Harris, graduated from Chico High School in 1932, prior to attending Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.

In 1937, their only son, Jack, and his wife Teresa, began what is now known as Harris Ranch, starting with a previously unfarmed 320 acres of desert land on the Valley’s Western edge. With vision and determination, Harris Ranch has grown into the most integrated, diversified, and one of the largest agribusinesses in the United States.

Beginning with cotton and grain, Harris Ranch now produces over thirty-three crops annually, including lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, onions, melons, oranges, lemons, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and wine grapes. Harris Farm’s thoroughbreds are raised and trained to compete internationally.

Under the leadership of Jack’s only child, John Harris, the Harris name has probably become best known for producing the finest beef, which retails under the Harris Ranch Beef label and brand. In 2018, Harris sold its highly acclaimed beef operations, including Harris Feeding Company and Harris Ranch Beef Company.

Harris Ranch Beef Holding Company, which operates a beef slaughterhouse and packing plant in Selma and a cattle feedlot in Coalinga, has been sold to Hanford-based Central Valley Meat Holding Company.

“Brian and the Central Valley Meat Company team share our view that employees are our company’s most valuable asset and that customers should be treated as partners, if not as family”

“We have known and respected John Harris and Harris Ranch Beef for decades, and I am pleased to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to continue the business’ family-owned legacy and pursue its tremendous potential for growth here in the Central Valley,” wrote Coelho, whose father founded his company in 1993.

“The Central Valley has long served as the home of some of the finest beef sold around the world. Today’s announcement cements a future for two family-owned beef operations to continue to thrive,” Harris Farms owner John Harris said in the April 9, 2018 sale announcement.

The Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant continues to provide Harris Ranch Beef in our restaurants. All Harris Ranch Beef is processed and overseen by highly trained Quality Assurance Staff and the USDA. This ensures the beef is processed according to the highest food safety standards. Look for the Harris Ranch Beef label found only in the West’s best markets, or take some home from the Harris Ranch Country Store in our iced travel packs – a thoughtful and welcomed gift.

Another part of the ranch that we particularly enjoy is the state of the art Horse Farm, which breeds, trains, and races thoroughbred horses. Horses raised and trained at our ranch are campaigning successfully at tracks throughout the United States.

Our family’s philosophy is to provide only the best products, care, and service to customers in every part of our company. It is with great pride that our restaurants serve only Harris Ranch U.S.D.A. Choice and Prime Beef* and Harris Farm fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables. In addition, we bake all of our own bread, pies, cookies, and pastries each day from only the finest and freshest ingredients in our bakery. Everyone on the Harris Ranch team welcomes you and hopes you will visit us again soon!