History-- N.O. Farms began in 1981 and is still today owned and operated by
Benton and Jan Owsley. In 1991 they were married, prior to that Jan's maiden name was
Newlee, thus the name N.O. (Newlee-Owsley) Farms. Jan is the artist of the couple, doing the art work
of these labels, where Benton generally thinks of the whimsical idea of the N.O. Farms labels.
They both started collecting the citrus labels in the mid 80's and quickly grew fond of
them.
Benton's grandparents started an orange ranch in Ojai, California in 1913. (then known as Nordhoff, Ca. -
but during World War I changed it's name to Ojai -rather than a German-sounding name.)
And his father (George Owsley) was foreman for Sunkist Lemons in Ventura, California after his return from World War II.
Jan's artwork doesn't stop at citrus label designing. She is also a potter and runs N.O. Farms
Ceramic Works, and Benton owns and operates Rock-it Radio an online 50's Rock and Roll radio station and
syndicated radio show. For more information on these go to our main N.O. Farms site linked at the bottom of this page.
The Beginning of the N.O. Farms Label-- Having a very limited production of Citrus, in 1989 Jan and Benton thought they would produce their own label with a whimsical style like the old labels of the past that they collected and enjoyed. The first label was "Nice Pair", a pear label for our Bartlett pear's here at N.O. Farms. Due to the fact that some might interpret this as a rather risque label, when they decided to enter it in the local county fair, Jan made Benton register the label in his name eventhough she did the artwork on it. But it was obviously his idea of the design (being a man and all). The result was the original, a pencil drawing, won 1st place in the 1989 Ventura County Fair in it's "whimsical" division. Though a few months later the actual N.O. Farms pear production was wiped out by a bad case of fireblight, The labels were limitedly produced for family and friends and collectors ever since.
Limited Production of the Label and Price -- The N.O. Farms Label wants to remain collectable
for collector's and friends of N.O. Farms. That is why no more than 120 copies of any label of
N.O. Farms will ever be produced. Some will actually have less production. Beginning in 2003,
all N.O. Farms labels will be signed on the back by the artist Jan Owsley before being sold and will
be individually numbered, as this year we just began the N.O. Farms Ebay Store, making these labels now available online, throughout the world!
special Note to past purchasers-- We have kept records of every label that has been sold,
but prior to 2003 these are not numbered, if you have an N.O. label and wish it to be numbered and
signed, please e mail us for a set up for this to be done.
Nice Pair Brand -- N.O. Farms 1989 -- Production Limit= 120 copies: Copies Sold -- 40.
This is our very first label featuring N.O. Farms Bartlett Pears. Features 2 pears being cupped by hands in what might
be considered suggestive??? You be the judge. This label
is currently offered in our Ebay Store. And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Superior Growth Brand -- N.O. Farms 1990 -- Production Limit= 120 copies: Copies Sold -- 24.
This is N.O. Farms Second label. This whimsical label shows a huge orange tree next to an outhouse...
with the subheading of "Grown Without Commercial Fertilizer". If you look carefully there is even an old Sears & Roebuck
catalog next to the outhouse for proper country hygiene use.
This label is currently offered in our Ebay Store. And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Quake Brand -- N.O. Farms 1992 -- Production Limit= 120 copies: Copies Sold -- 34.
Quake Brand - Commemorating the 1992 Northridge earthquake (that was felt here in Ventura) in a 1920's style label
The label has a whimsical saying of "Our oranges are faultless, and they fall naturally from the tree". Also in the background
out the window you can see a man picking up oranges as they fall off the tree onto the ground.
This label
is currently offered in our Ebay Store. And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Pussyfootin' Brand Catnip -- N.O. Farms 1992 -- Production Limit= 100 copies: Copies Sold -- 17.
Pussyfootin' brand -- The Only catnip label of N.O. Farms. And states it is from the "kitty herb division" of N.O. Farms.
And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Holy Cow Brand -- N.O. Farms 1993 -- Production Limit= 120 copies: Copies Sold -- 43.
The HOly Cow master painting won first place in its division at the Ventura County Fair in 1993 and remains our
most popular label. The label shows a dairy cow eating a pail full of oranges...and being milked.. the surprise comes
when orange juice is coming out of the udder. Sub heading reads on label "The Trick is in the Squeeze".
Full Moon Brand -- N.O. Farms 2000 -- Production Limit= 120 copies: Copies Sold -- 28.
Full Moon brand after a 7 year loll of no new N.O. labels came out in 2000. This label shows a somewhat disgusted moon
in the sky as someone bends over to pick up some oranges and well appears to be not wearing a belt. (despite what some people have stated - This is not Benton bending over)
Sub heading reads "Picked by the light of the moon" - This label
is currently offered in our Ebay Store. And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
A-peeling Brand -- N.O. Farms 2001 -- Production Limit= 120 copies: Copies Sold -- 22.
This label features a blonde girl pointing to a 1/2 peeled orange pointing to the peel, thus the title -- a peeling. This label is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Bright Ass Orange Brand -- N.O. Farms 2001 -- Production Limit= 100 copies: Copies Sold -- 22.
Bright Ass Orange shows an ass happily munching on an orange as he figures out the theory of Relativity. Afterall, he is
a bright Ass! This label was designed for friends Katie and Dennis Sines in Bozeman, Montana, who are long time N.O. good friends!
This label is currently offered in our Ebay Store. And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Catapult Brand -- N.O. Farms 2001 -- Production Limit= 120 copies: Copies Sold -- 18.
Catapult Brand features 2 cats -- one high up in a tree throwing down some oranges to the other cat, as he
puts them in a homemade catapult (the catapult was made out of "Fluffy's" food bowl) to launch at the dog next
door looking over the fence. Sub heading reads "N.O. Farms -- Utility
Grade Oranges -- These oranges are best for pelting!" This is also the first label to dawn our N.O. Good Oranges logo.
This label is currently offered in our Ebay Store. And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Franky's Frog Brand -- N.O. Farms 2001 -- Production Limit= 90 copies: Copies Sold -- 12.
Franky's Frog was actually a custom order job originally for Franky's Place (restaurant) in downtown Ventura to promote
their orange basil dressing showing the Franky's Frog Logo of the restaurant. The label shows a frog flicking away a fly
as it would much rather prefer an N.O. Farms orange instead. This label states "Some things just can't compete".
This label is currently offered in our Ebay Store. And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Pride of Pixley -- N.O. Farms 2001 -- Production Limit= 80 copies: Copies Sold -- 20.
Pride of Pixley -- Well she might not be the cutest thing in the San Joaquin Valley but she has spunk! If she could
just do something about that fly buzzing around her head! Sub heading for the N.O. Utility Grade Orange "Not much too look at, but
sweet and juicy on the inside".
This label is currently offered in our Ebay Store. And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Moonstruck Brand -- N.O. Farms 2002 -- Production Limit= 120 copies: Copies Sold -- 15.
Moonstruck Brand shows a witch that has accidentally flown into the man on the moon, poking him in the eye with her broomstick.
The subheading reads "Avoid the scurvy twitch... pick Moonstruck ... like the witch!"
This label is currently offered in our Ebay Store. And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Juicer Brand -- N.O. Farms 2003 -- Production Limit= 80 copies: Copies Sold -- 10.
Our latest creation that just finished completion on September 21st, 2003. This is one of our most favorite labels
so far of the N.O. Farms Satire Label creations. Shows a dog that is properly trained and can juice your oranges for you!
This label is currently offered in our Ebay Store. And is in stock still at the introductory Price.
Bitch N Ass Brand -- N.O. Farms 2008 -- Production Limit = 300 Copies: Not yet for sale.
After a 5 year absence designer Jan Owsley has come up with a new Satire Fruit Crate Label. Showing a dog and jack ass next to each other - thus the term Bitch N Ass. Much like the 80s term for something awesome. So, was the N.O. Farms Citrus for this year.
No Link as yet has been set up for sale but will be soon!
Bloody L Brand -- N.O. Farms 2008 -- Production Limit = 125 Copies: Not yet for sale.
After a 5 year absence designer Jan Owsley has come up with a new Satire Fruit Crate Label.
Bloody L Brand features a rather devil like character smiling and holding a nice cool glass of Blood Orange Juice and stating 'mmm it's heavenly!'. This is the first label for N.O. Farms Blood Oranges and for hopeful import to the UK market.
No Link as yet has been set up for sale but will be soon!
Also, if you have any questions or comments on our labels we would be thrilled to hear from you.
Click here to Contact N.O. Farms.
Click here to Return to the N.O. Farms Main Webpage.
this site was last updated on 3 March, 2010.
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