One of the Trustees is a Director for the Colusa County Water District, which was named as the primary governing body in the original Will, a second is an almond producer, and the third is the County Director for the Colusa UC Cooperative Extension program. The Colusa County Pomology Farm Advisor, currently John Edstrom, coordinates the applied research and field activities occurring at the Estate and communicates closely with the Trustees. A Research Advisory Committee, composed of University researchers, meets annually to evaluate research proposals and to review the progress of ongoing projects at the facility. There are currently in-excess of 20 projects being conducted at Nickels. A part-time Farm Manager and full time assistant provide the labor to facilitate the ongoing research.
Additional labor is hired at key times such as harvest and pruning seasons.
As mentioned, the primary source of revenue to operate the facility is derived from sales of the almond crop grown there. The Estate is a member of Blue Diamond and sells the nuts through this venue. The salaries of the researchers conducting work at Nickels are paid by the University of California. The structure and support of Nickels is a collaborative effort bringing together the University, the Colusa County Water District and the almond industry. It is an arrangement that has worked well and which has allowed many almond production technology breakthroughs to occur.