Who, What, Where, and Why

Olive trees in their first year.

Thank you for visiting my website!  I’m Ty Ohanneson, and this is my story of love and chance. 

Born in December 1983 under a fortunate star, my luck was already trending up and I hadn’t even taken my first breath.  My biological mother was 19, and she turned an unwanted pregnancy and into the greatest gift I could ever receive by selecting Jeff and Cheryl Ohanneson from Bakersfield, California to be my adoptive parents.

A tough choice born out of love became a gift of even greater love.  This gift I was given has been a defining characteristic for me since my coming of age, and I owe my life’s work to proving that was the right decision.

Never underestimate the power of choices because they send ripples into the future that grow and evolve – whether or not we know where they came from. 

My family is a California farming family.  Located just a few miles west of Shafter, the Ohanneson farm is one of the few remaining family-run farms in the industry.  We grow pistachios, almonds, and olives for olive oil while striving to be good stewards of our land and community.

I aim to run the farm in a manner that does not put profits over human wellbeing and I am proud of the health and safety improvements that have been made in the 10 years I have been lucky enough to be managing. With the help of those around me, the farm and I are better for them. The future may be uncertain, but I have no doubt in our ability to do the work necessary for a prosperous one.

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

Marcus Aurelius

Bakersfield is home.  With some important waypoints along the journey at Stockdale High School, Bakersfield College, and Cal-State University Bakersfield – all of which I owe a debt of gratitude for the quality education and experiences – my hometown has helped me grow and mature into a community member willing and able to give back.

For this meaningful connection with my community, I am forever grateful and will do my best to pay it back tenfold.