In 1984 Bert and Angie Hayes purchased their 404HA wheat and sheep property, affectionately referred to as “the farm” and soon after commenced improvement including planting a large number of farm trees on the property. This constituted the search for a tree that could withstand the harsh climatic conditions that exist in the West Australian Wheat-belt and also had the potential to provide future income.

After much research and a Tree Crop Course at The Bentley Technical College, they settled on the pistachio nut tree. However as there was very little information and assistance available in Western Australia – it was a long hard road getting started with some disappointments and set-backs in their first few years.

As with all success stories involving hard work and determination, today the Hayes’ have a pistachio orchard of approximately 2700 trees, a pistachio tree nursery supplying grafted trees to growers and retail nurseries and a small pistachio processing plant

After more than 20 years of dedicated work building up a pistachio empire, Bert and Angie have handed over their established business, that has received international recognition, to their daughters, son in laws and grandchildren. It is now a family-run business. Bert and Angie still remain involved in the business as consultants. WA Pistachios are the biggest pistachio growers in Western Australia.

[from wapistachios.com.au]