Gena Nonini is the third generation of her family to farm and steward the Marian Farms property. Her grandfather came to Fresno in 1900 from the Northern Italian Alps where he was a dairy farmer and grape grower. His son was also a grape grower, a tradition Nonini continues. While working as an export commodity trader with a Fortune 500 company, Nonini often traveled the Pacific Rim. On one of her trips to Australia and New Zealand, she learned about Biodynamic agriculture; she was so impressed with the food grown using this method and people she met that she decided she wanted to farm Biodynamically. In 1990, Nonini set up her own company and started her transition to farming. Gena Nonini often teaches younger farmers about Biodynamics, helping to ensure that the next generation learns about this very sustainable, ecological method.

Marian Farms grows their organic oranges using stringent certified Biodynamic agricultural practices. Their oranges have been grown for over half a century on heritage heirloom rootstock. The oranges are hand-picked at perfect ripeness, when they are at their sweetest, ensuring that the customer receives a superior tasting orange. Their organic oranges are also unique in that they are never treated with gibberellic acid, commonly used on both organic and conventional oranges. Gibberellic acid is a plant growth hormone which is sprayed on oranges to stimulate growth and uniformity, but often at the expense of flavor. 

Many of their Biodynamic practices are a return to age-old farming methods. They make their own compost and preparations (homeopathic plant materials that stimulate plant growth and health), and they grow a diverse range of fruit and vegetables that thrive in the 12-month-a-year growing season of the Central Valley. Their commitment to Biodynamic farming involves a spiritual component and some serious elbow grease. They also use biodynamically inspired Festival sprays to honor the earth that supports us.