From the rice fields of the Sacramento Valley to vegetable farms in the Imperial Valley, California agriculture runs on timing. Harvest windows do not wait, processing plants do not pause, and a missed load can quickly become costly. For more than six decades, Valley Farm Transport has served farming and processing organizations in the critical “first mile” of crop transport.

Founded in Dixon in 1963 by Robert “Bob” Nickum, the family-owned company has grown from an early grain-hauling operation into one of California’s premier bulk agricultural commodity carriers. The legacy remains personal: members of the Nickum family, including Bob’s son and CEO David Nickum, remain involved today. Along with VFT employees, they carry forward Bob’s belief that reliable service, hard work and long-term relationships are the business’ foundation.

Today, VFT operates about 300 trucks and 2,100 trailers across six terminals in Dixon, Arbuckle, Orland, Stockton, Firebaugh and Bakersfield. It serves customers year-round throughout California and into Nevada, Oregon, Arizona and Idaho.

Its cargo reflects the breadth of California agriculture: tomatoes, rice, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, pomegranates, corn, wheat and more. During harvest, VFT connects fields, storage sites, processors, ports and markets — an essential, often unseen link in the food supply chain.

That work requires more than a large fleet. It depends on dependable equipment, knowledgeable dispatchers, experienced drivers and a deep understanding of agricultural rhythms. Perishable commodities cannot wait out a scheduling glitch. VFT has built its reputation on meeting that reality through efficient operations, specialized equipment and practical service.

VFT’s specialized trailers are designed for bulk agricultural loads and its terminal network allows it to respond across California’s diverse growing regions. The company is also a leader in clean-truck operations, using biodiesel through its Rolling Green sustainability program.

For agricultural businesses, transportation is not simply the final production step; it is part of the operation itself. Valley Farm Transport combines the scale to serve major producers with the relationship-driven sensibility of a company built in farm country. In an industry where every hour counts, VFT keeps California agriculture moving.