FEATURE STORY JACK BROS. A Founding Member’s Enduring Impact By Taylor Lauson, Communications Manager
Alex Jack (left), owner of Jack Bros. Inc., with his father, Neal, and his son, Russell.
As Western Growers marks its centennial anniversary, few milestones feel as significant as celebrating 100 years alongside the members who helped build it. In 2026, the organization stands as one of the most influential advocates for specialty crop growers, shippers and packers across California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Throughout its 100-year history, Western Growers has been a trusted source of guidance and support by the agricultural community. This can be attributed to the strenuous and persistent work of our members and employees who came before us, who continue to fight for the benefit of the farming industry. Among these members is one who has distinguished itself for unwavering dedication—Jack Bros., Inc.—one of Western Grower’s initial founding members. Established in 1914, the company’s origins trace back to a series of unlikely turns that would eventually reunite the brothers in the Imperial Valley. “My grandfather, Earl Jack, was almost 20 years younger than his brother, Alvin Jack,” explained Alex Jack, a third-generation farmer and owner of Jack Bros. Earl’s mother died in childbirth and his father remarried shortly after. When he was two, Earl’s father passed away, and his stepmother no longer wanted to care for him. “Alvin was out West when he got the news his brother was put into a foster home,” Alex said. “He reached out to his aunt, who lived in Texas, and she adopted Earl and raised him.”
The two continued to live separate, distant lives. At 16, Earl went off to serve in World War I. Meantime, Alvin was out panning for gold in the Colorado River in Yuma, Ariz. “It didn’t pan out for Alvin, no pun intended, and Earl had to come home at the end of his first year after he was shot in the leg,” said Alex.
Alvin Jack, co-founder of Jack Bros.
36 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com April – June 2026
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