Almond Journey

Craig Duerr joined the Almond Journey Podcast to talk about marketing almonds around the world. Duerr has over 25 years of experience in marketing almonds, first with the Almond Board of California, then with Campos Brothers Farms where he currently serves as vice president of global marketing and sales. This discussion explores the past, present and future of growing the demand and value of California almonds. “ The more we can sell that is involved in what we grow on an almond tree, the better off we're all going to be. We'll keep pushing for innovative ways to use almonds sliced, slivered, diced, meal, and flour and I think we need to push for ways to utilize the hull and the shell and anything else that we can.” - Craig Duerr In Today's episode:Meet Craig Duerr, vice president of global marketing and sales at Campos Brothers Farms and the current chair of the Almond Board's Global Marketing Development CommitteeUnderstand the history of expanding the volume and value of the global market of almondsDiscover the strategy in promoting almonds as an ingredient to ensure market stabilityLearn about shifts in consumer perception of almonds and the value the industry can get from collecting retail dataThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In April's Marketing Bulletin, Laura Morin of the Almond Board of California shares the story behind the Board's first major food service collaboration—a spring promotion with Smoothie King, the world's largest smoothie chain. Currently running around the country from March through May, the partnership positions almonds as a go-to ingredient, promoting exercise recovery and offering customers the option to add almonds to any smoothie. Morin explains that food service trends play a big role in how consumers adopt new foods at home, and ABC saw this as a timely opportunity to highlight current almond messaging. “Smoothie King was an amazing partner to help tell our exercise recovery story,” Morin says. “They already have a health and wellness focus, and when we brought them our nutrition research, they saw real potential in the recovery space.” The collaboration is not only aimed at boosting visibility and volume, but also at gathering insights on consumer behavior to inform future promotions.

Mallorie Hayes joined the Journey to discuss the importance of storytelling, outreach, and education to consumers, legislators, and key stakeholders. During this conversation, she shares her journey into the almond industry and her role in advocating for almond growers. Hayes highlights the industry's efforts in sustainability, legislative engagement and the significance of building strong relationships to advance the industry.“ Tell everyone about the almond industry: the good work that we're doing, the wonderful product that we have…The more we can get our story out there and be the ones to tell it, I think the better off we will be and the more success we will have.” - Mallorie Hayes In Today's episode:●Meet Mallorie Hayes, government and public affairs manager at Blue Diamond Growers●Discover the efforts being made by Hayes and others to advocate for the almond industry and reach out to key stakeholdersUnderstand the importance of grower involvement in advocacy for the almond industryConsider key challenges and opportunities ahead in 2025 and beyond.The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In this episode of the Almond Byte, the Almond Board of California's Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team highlights two major regulatory developments shaping almond exports.First, a major milestone for U.S. almond trade with Japan: USDA and Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare have signed a voluntary aflatoxin pre-testing protocol. Years in the making, this agreement significantly reduces Japan's inspection frequency for protocol participants, helping streamline exports and reduce costs. The episode discusses how handlers can participate and what to expect from implementation.Then, we shift to the European Union, where the European Commission recently unveiled its “Vision for Agriculture and Food.” In response to last year's farmer protests, the EU is moving toward tighter import controls — emphasizing mirror clauses, food safety, pesticide regulations and sustainability requirements for imported goods.

Chuck Fleck joined the Journey to discusses the latest in almond genetics and variety development. Fleck is the director of horticulture research at Sierra Gold Nurseries. During this conversation, he shares his journey into breeding almonds and almond rootstocks, what's driving his breeding program and what excites him about the future of almond genetics. Fleck also discusses a project with Ohalo using gene editing technology to create a self-fertile nonpareil almond tree. “Nonpareil is the industry standard, but what if other items can come along and create a new industry standard, giving growers more options and not just different versions of the same old options they've got.” - Chuck Fleck In Today's episode:Meet Chuck Fleck, the director of horticulture research at Sierra Gold NurseriesDiscover the process of evaluating different rootstocks and the amount of time it takes to produce resultsExplore the advancements being made to create a self-fertile nonpareil almond tree Check out the Almond Variety Considerations Page as a resource for picking the best variety for your operation and register for the Regional Variety Trial Field Days coming up in April and May. The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

March's Almond Byte brings you the latest insights from the Almond Board of California's Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team. This month, ABC made waves at Gulfood 2025, connecting with key buyers and exploring future opportunities in Dubai's expanding trade landscape. Meanwhile, new tariffs on Chinese imports are impacting the global almond market, with retaliatory duties adding more challenges for exporters. On the opportunity front, Morocco's booming almond demand is creating exciting prospects for U.S. growers, while an upcoming exploratory trip to Turkey aims to strengthen ties with major processors. Stay tuned for more details on these industry-shaping developments.

Justin Morehead, Christine Gemperle and Darren Rigg all joined the Journey to share about their involvement with the Almond Board of California (ABC). These industry leaders discuss why they've decided to stay engaged with ABC over the years, and how their perspectives have changed since becoming involved with committees, work groups and board leadership. “It's your industry, and if you want to guide where your industry goes, the best way to do it is to be involved. So you've got to get into the game.” - Christine GemperleIn Today's episode:Meet Almond Board Directors Justin Morehead, Christine Gemperle and Darren RiggExplore their journeys in getting involved with the Almond Board of California through serving in committees, work groups, and on the board of directorsUnderstand the benefits of getting involved with the Almond Board like influencing the future of your industry, building relationships and discovering new opportunities to bring back to your businessLearn more about the ABC Board of Directors Election: www.Almonds.com/Elections Learn more about ABC Committees: www.Almonds.com/CommitteesThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Fourth-generation farmer James Chinchiolo grows primarily cherries and walnuts in Linden, California. He has two blocks that he's looking to re-plant and he is considering planting almonds. In this episode, Chinciolo walks us through his thought process for how he's approaching this decision and shares his framework for determining the best tree crop he should plant next. “This is kind of like my framework: consumer demand, talk to the salespeople directly, look at the regulatory environment, and then think about my capital expenditure going into them.” - James Chinciolo In Today's episode:Meet fourth-generation Linden farmer James Chinchiolo who grows primarily cherries and walnuts.Explore the thought process Chinchiolo is using to evaluate whether almonds will be the next crop he plants or notUnderstand the many factors he must consider including water access, labor costs, market trends, regulatory policy, consumer demand and capital frameworkThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In this episode of Almond Byte, highlights from the February Global Update breaks down the America First Trade Policy memo, new tariffs on major U.S. trading partners, and what this could mean for the almond industry. With Canada and Mexico negotiating last-minute tariff postponements and China implementing targeted retaliatory measures, how will global almond trade be impacted? Plus, we bring you the latest updates on aflatoxin rejections in key export markets. Tune in to stay ahead of the curve on trade developments that could shape the future of U.S. agriculture.

Laura Morin is the director of marketing for North America and China at The Almond Board of California. She joined the Journey to talk about some of the latest marketing initiatives by the almond industry to boost the relevance, value and of course the demand for California almonds. Morin explains the partnership with Deon Sanders (AKA Coach Prime), some advances in almond marketing in China, and a recent partnership announced with Smoothie King. “Where almonds once really stood out among the competition. Now we're just one in a sea of many. So, we have to try harder and harder to stand out and to get people to think about almonds and notice us in this highly competitive landscape.” - Laura Morin In Today's episode:Meet Laura Morin, the director of marketing for North America and China at the Almond Board of CaliforniaDiscover the new and innovative ways ABC is spreading the word about the many benefits of almondsExplore future endeavors ABC is pursuing in both domestic and international markets to expand the almond industry's reachThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

What happens when one of the biggest names in sports takes over one of the biggest stages in marketing? In the January Marketing Bulletin, we dive into Coach Prime Deion Sanders' powerhouse presence at Radio Row ahead of the NFL championship game. Representing California almonds through the Own Your Prime campaign, Coach Prime isn't just talking football — he's sharing the recovery benefits linked to almonds with top-tier media outlets and lifestyle influencers. From ESPN to TikTok, hear how this dynamic partnership is leveraging influencer marketing and turning almonds into the ultimate game-day snack. Don't miss this inside look at the big game buzz, as we unpack how authenticity, strategy and a star-studded spokesperson create marketing magic.

People from around the industry joined the Almond Journey Podcast at The Almond Conference 2024 and were asked to share what's on top of their minds headed into 2025. In this episode, you'll hear highlights from Craig Duerr, Mallvinder Kahal, Rob Kiss, Michelle Penney, Bobbie Williams, Mallorie Hayes, Scott Hermann, Kabir Tumber, Chris Chavez and Clarice Turner.“ That's something that we, as processors and growers, everybody just wants it to stay balanced and healthy. So I'd say that's really what we're all looking for.” - Michelle PenneyIn today's episode:Highlight the hopes for the new year from around the industryAppreciate ten different perspectives of almond leadersDiscover what's on the mind of the industry, including grower economics, marketing opportunities, water and much more! The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In this episode of the Almond Journey Podcast, we revisit some of the insights captured on this show over the past year. You'll hear highlights from Nav Athwal, Alicia Rockwell, Tim Jackson and Michael Kelley. These interviews highlight the vast array of almond-related topics covered monthly on the Almond Journey podcast. These year-end reflections cover topics ranging from business strategy, marketing, pest management, stewardship, hulling, and shelling.“ We just need to keep doing what we do best, and that is promoting all the great forms and ways that people can enjoy almonds around the world.” - Alicia RockwellEpisodes featured in today's reflection include: Episode 64: Farm Business Strategy With Nav AthwalEpisode 61: Almond Stewardship with Alicia RockwellEpisode 57: Navel Orangeworm Damage with Michael KelleyEpisode 56: Australian Almonds and the Carpophilus BeetleVideos of the sessions from The Almond Conference 2024 will soon be posted here: www.almonds.com/conference The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Highlights from December's Global Update by the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of California details ABC's participation in the U.S. Ag Trade Mission to China, where ABC staff joined a large team of U.S. Ag Trade Associations at the China International Import Expo. ABC CEO Clarice Turner presented on California almonds during the US-China Agricultural Trade Forum, and the team engaged in media interviews and field visits with major companies like Starbucks China and PepsiCo. Additionally, we cover the USDA and FDA's joint Request for Information on food date labeling and provide an update on Alternaria mycotoxins for EU shipments. Tune in for all the latest insights.

UC Cooperative Extension Tree Crop Farm Advisor Franz Niederholzer joined the Journey to provides a practical overview on best practices for spray operations in an orchard. Trained as a soil scientist, Niederholzer started with Cooperative Extension over 20 years ago. Over the past couple of decades he has developed and shared expertise on spray-related topics like coverage, drift, nozzle selection, technology, calibration, ground speed and more. He emphasizes that the best equipment and most expensive products will never be as effective if there are errors made in the application process.“An effective job, an efficient job, and a safe job. All of those things have to come together for a successful spray application. Paying attention to your spray program is a big part of successful farming.” - Franz Niederholzer In Today's episode:Meet UC Cooperative Extension Tree Crop Farm Advisor Franz NiederholzerUnderstand the importance of protocols including focusing on the efficacy, safety and technique of the applicationExplore the many variables to be considered before and during an applicationThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Dan Lawson is a licensed Qualified Applicator and the Huller Manager at Treehouse California Almond. Lawson joined the Journey and shares about his job as a huller manager, what they've seen come in from the orchard these past couple of years, and how he keeps current in his continuing education efforts to stay up to date on best practices.“Navel Orangeworm, and some of these other types of serious damage, seems like they can be spread out across the crop as a whole. This year, there were a few fields that had brown spot and they had it in very high percentages in the 20% plus range.” - Dan Lawson In Today's episode:Meet Huller Manager at Treehouse California Almonds and Qualified Applicator Dan LawsonDiscover the continuing education Dan is required to complete in order to maintain his Qualified Applicators LicenseLearn about his experience with the ABC Almond Learning Hub ABC Update: At this year's CAPCA Conference, The Almond Board of California unveiled this new Almond Learning Hub. ABC's Taylor Hillman and Jenny Nicolau share about the learning hub, who it's for, and why people like Dan Lawson are finding so much value in it. “This is a free online site for growers, pest control advisors, certified crop advisors, and really all other almond industry professionals. The new site really helps the Almond Board to extend how we serve the industry.” - Jenny Nicolau, Associate Director of the Industry Relations and Global Communications Team at the Almond Board of CaliforniaThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry. ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Highlights from November's Global Update from the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of Californian dive into key international developments impacting the almond industry. Get updates from ABC's recent EU meetings, where staff members engaged with European trade and regulatory bodies to address critical issues affecting almond exports. Hear about their efforts to maintain quality standards and smooth supply chains, including meetings in Italy to reinforce collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Health and build confidence in California almonds. Plus, this episode has the latest on post-election dynamics in the U.S. and explores how new EU labeling requirements, effective January 2025, will impact almond shipments.

As a kid growing up on her family's farm in San Joaquin County, Elisabeth Watkins won TV cooking competition Chopped Junior. Since that time, Watkins has dedicated herself to teaching others about agriculture through cooking. Today she continues to make regular media appearances, including recent appearances on several Sacramento TV station morning shows displaying almond-based recipes. In this episode, Watkins offers her perspective on how to communicate about agriculture to mainstream audiences.“We need to get back into education. We need to get back into schools and be at the top of everyone's minds when it comes to their health and wellness.” - Elisabeth Watkins In Today's episode:Meet agriculture marketing consultant and former Top Chef Junior champion Elisabeth Watkins from Linden, CaliforniaDiscover how Watkins surprised her parents with pursuing a Top Chef Junior competition she would go on to winExplore the different avenues commodity groups can take to better expose various industries to new ingredients and recipes to increase overall crop consumptionThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In October's Marketing Bulletin, we're diving into the Almond Board of California's (ABC) latest market expansion strategy: bringing California almonds to Mexican bakeries. Join us as we explore how ABC's recent tour of California's Central Valley hosted top Mexican chefs and bakers, offering an in-depth look at the potential of almonds as a key ingredient in Mexico's booming bakery sector. Led by ABC's Becky Jeffers, this initiative is reshaping perceptions and driving demand for almonds in Mexico's favorite sweet treats. Hear how cross-cultural exchanges and innovative recipes are sparking a delicious new chapter for almonds in Mexican pastries.

In this episode of the Almond Byte podcast, we dive into ABC's debut at World Food India, where almonds took center stage in discussions on food processing and health-conscious consumers. Hear about the key insights shared by the Ministry of Food Processing and how ABC is leveraging new connections to expand almond innovation in India. Plus, we'll cover the latest developments from the EU parliamentary elections and what they could mean for agriculture, as well as Japan's Ministry of Health's visit to California, which could lead to reduced inspections on almond imports. Tune in for the full scoop!

In this episode, Almond Board of California Directors Brandon Rebiero and Kelli Evans discuss the almond industry delegation that recently traveled to Washington, D.C. The trip was an opportunity to engage with key government and legislative offices, providing an update on almond industry issues. They also discussed market development and innovation activities, efforts to build demand, Board strategic priorities, and stewardship achievements.“Being able to be there and to back the staff and their requests or in their educating of facts is really powerful.” - Kelli EvansIn Today's episode:00:00 Introduction to the Almond Journey Podcast00:58 Meet Kelli Evans and Brandon Rebiero02:33 Insights from the Washington DC Trip05:55 The Importance of Grower Engagement07:32 Brandon's Perspective on his Second DC Trip18:21 The Impact of Data and Sustainability25:29 Final ThoughtsLearn more about the Almond Board of California committees.The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Kern County almond grower Bret Sill shares some of his experiences building the soil biology in his orchards through practices like integrating sheep into the orchard and planting cover crops. Sill also discusses his experiments with off-ground harvest and reflects on how this approach might fit into his overall system. Ultimately, Sill is looking to reach his productivity goals with minimal inputs while maximizing the value of every almond produced.“The things I've been thinking about is: how do we add more value (by) trying some of the regenerative practices. I can only cut out so much cost, and if I'm not adding value to that product, then how are we going to survive?” - Bret Sill In Today's episode:Learn about almond producer Bret Sill of Sill Properties in Kern CountyExplore the process Sill Properties is taking to try new practices to reduce inputs and encourage soil biologyDiscover Sill's approach to water management and recharging the groundwater in his areaThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In September's Almond Byte podcast, we dive into the recent visit of a Chinese Nut Delegation to California's Central Valley, hosted by the Almond Board of California (ABC). Learn how this delegation of 25 Chinese importers explored the almond industry and why this group is a critical partner for trade relations. We also discuss ABC's analysis of the Pre-Export Check (PEC) program amidst rising aflatoxin alerts in Europe, as well as new opportunities for U.S. ag products, especially nuts, in Morocco. Tune in for these key insights and more!

According to a report produced by a collaborative effort between UC Davis and UC Cooperative Extension, the fungal pathogen red leaf blotch (RLB) was first detected in California almond orchards on the border of Merced and Madera counties in late May 2024. Previously known for its impact on almonds in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, RLB's presence in California has understandably raised alarms. In this episode we are joined by UC ANR Associate Cooperative Extension Specialist, Dr. Florent Trouillas and Almond Board of California (ABC) Senior Specialist in Pest Management, Dr. Lauren Fann. Together they explore the latest on this disease, what impacts it may have on the almond industry and what growers can look for and do about its presence in California.“I'm actually quite surprised by how widespread the disease is already in this first year. The disease is definitely here to stay in California, which unfortunately brings another challenge for the industry here.” - Dr. Florent Trouillas In Today's episode:Meet UC ANR's Dr. Florent Trouillas and ABC's Dr. Lauren FannExplore the pathogenesis and symptoms of Red Leaf Blotch in California almonds and what growers can look out forDiscover the threat of the disease and what is being done to mitigate its risk now that it's hereFor more information, read this article from the Almond Board of California: “A New Threat to California Almonds: Red Leaf Blotch”The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In the August Marketing Bulletin, we dive into the exciting return of the Almond Board of California's "Own Your Prime" campaign, featuring NFL legend Deion Sanders for a second year. Tune in to hear how this partnership will expand its reach with fresh content, new media strategies, and why Coach Prime's genuine love for almonds makes this campaign a game-changer for the industry. Don't miss out on the details driving this successful collaboration and what it means for California almond growers.

Joseph Jackson grew up in his family's farming operation in the Visalia area. Upon making the decision to downsize the family farming operation, Jackson took on an off-farm job as a Customer Success Director for Phytech. Jackson shares his perspective as someone who has implemented technology as a farmer, and someone who helps other farmers utilize technology. “As ag tech in general, we have made some amazing products, but these products need to be more affordable. They need to be more accessible. This is a stage where you have to be able to show real value.” - Joseph Jackson In Today's episode:Meet Joseph Jackson who serves as both a farmer and Customer Success Director for California with PhytechDiscover Jackson's thought processes for analyzing and utilizing farm technologyLearn about Joseph's experience with the Almond Leadership Program and his involvement with the Strategic Ag Innovation CommitteeThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry. ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Listen to July's Marketing Bulletin as we dive into Keith Schneller's recent trip to Turkey, representing the Almond Board of California. Discover how this journey – spanning Istanbul to Antalya and Mersin – unveiled significant market opportunities for California almonds. Schneller's meetings with major almond processors, insights from the TUKSAID conference, and observations on the Turkish nut market's shift towards packaged products highlight the growth potential. Despite economic and regulatory challenges, Turkey's resilient market and modern infrastructure make it a promising destination for expanding almond consumption and processing.

Nav Athwal joined the Journey to share his perspective on growing a farming business amid tough economic conditions. Athwal is the president of Tri-Nut Farms and president and managing member of Terra Ag Ventures. After growing up on the family farm, he became a real estate and land use attorney and then a technology entrepreneur. Seven years ago, he returned to the family farm to help with operations and growth. In today's episode, Athwal discusses how he's navigating the economic headwinds almonds are currently facing, why he remains focused on the long-term outlook, and what he calls intelligent growth. “There were two goals I had. One is, how do we bring more operational excellence, both at the field level, but also in the back office? And how do we grow intelligently to take advantage of economies of scale?” - Nav Athwal In Today's episode:Meet Nav Athwal, president of Tri-Nut Farms and president and managing member of Terra Ag VenturesDiscover Athwal's journey starting on the family farm, navigating outside of agriculture and then returningExplore Athwal's smart growth philosophy and how they educate and include investors in their operationsThe Almond Journey Podcast is made possible the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Highlights from July's Global Update from the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of California begins with the ABC annual industry delegation's recent visit to Washington, DC, where almond growers and handlers engaged with key government and legislative offices.In addition, learn about the Ag Export Finance/Insurance Webinar held on June 11. This webinar introduced various tools to manage export trade risk and trade credit insurance alternatives. The discussion also touched on the ongoing efforts to digitalize trade documentation, which could result in substantial cost savings. Lastly, July's Almond Byte includes the potential implications of the recent European Parliament election results.

Joe Palomino is a Clovis-based agronomist and Certified Crop Consultant (CCA) who works for Axiom Agriculture. His work focuses primarily on crop fertility and soil health, but he also does some irrigation consulting as well. On today's episode, Palomino shares how he ended up in agronomy without an agricultural background, his thoughts on finding nutrient balance in the orchard, his experience in the Almond Leadership Program, and what has sparked such a passion in him for the agriculture industry.“When we start talking about precision plant nutrition, it's keeping the plant in balance. I like to keep the nutrient bank full and in balance and not let the presence or lack of one nutrient inhibit the availability of another.” - Joe PalominoIn Today's episode:Meet Joe Palomino, the Clovis-based agronomist and CCADiscover Palomino's background and journey to becoming an agronomistExplore strategies for soil health, crop fertility, and irrigation needsThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

California almonds are taking the Indian market by storm with a new advertising campaign aimed at younger consumers. The Almond Board of California's innovative ads blend humor with health benefits, encouraging Indians to snack on almonds beyond their traditional morning routine. Hear about the market dynamics, ideas behind the new advertisements, and future marketing tactics and plans from ABC's India Marketing lead Sudarshan Masumdar.

Almond grower and Almond Board of California (ABC) Director Christine Gemperle joined the Journey again, this time to discuss groundwater recharge, crimping cover crops, and continuing her efforts to build soil health in her orchards. Gemperle also provides an update about her work on the almond board and the trip this past year to meet with growers around the state to introduce new CEO Clarice Turner. “We could really turn around our groundwater situation by using ag lands.” - Christine Gemperle, commenting on practicing groundwater recharge where feasible. In Today's episode:Discover Christine Gemperle's experiences with groundwater rechargeHear about why Gemperle decided to modify her own roller crimper to manage cover cropsUnderstand more about what's happening at the Board level at the Almond Board of California. ABC Update:Apply to receive up to $2,500 in cover crop seed from the Seeds for Bees program. ABC's Taylor Hillman discusses the details with Stetcyn Maldonado of Project Apis m. Learn more about the program and apply on the Project Apis m website. The Almond Journey Podcast is made possible by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry. ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Discover how the Almond Board of California is helping to grow markets globally with key updates from recent trips by the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team. From insightful participation in the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council Congress to engaging discussions at the AgTC Annual Conference, the team continues to address opportunities and challenges alike. Learn about Maximum Residue Level discussions from the CCPR meeting in China and the strategic European market visits led by ABC's CEO Clarice Turner.

Alicia Rockwell, vice chair of the Almond Board of California and chief government affairs officer at Blue Diamond Growers, joined the Journey to share her perspective on stewardship and advocacy for the almond industry. Rockwell discusses lessons from her work at Blue Diamond and Save Mart Supermarkets, the critical role California Almond Stewardship Program (CASP) self-assessments have played in reputation management, how almonds are leading the way in terms of stewardship, and the importance of engagement and advocacy on behalf of the industry.“The reason that this industry was able to protect its reputation and get out from under the water criticisms was because of those growers that in those early stages, went and did the CASP self-assessment.” - Alicia Rockwell In Today's episode:Meet Alicia Rockwell, vice chair of the Almond Board of California Board of Directors and the Chief Government Affairs Officer at Blue Diamond GrowersExplore Rockwell's journey from the urban bay area to becoming an advocate for both producers and consumers alikeDiscover the thoughtful approach the almond industry has taken and continues to utilize to stay current with consumer trends and policy changeThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In recent months, the ABC Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team has been helping to expand global markets by meeting with key players in India, Turkey and Pakistan, and creating opportunities for the industry through both market promotional proposals. Hear the details from the trips and efforts, and about an upcoming webinar to help exporters grow and secure their sales.

Tree planting is a tremendous investment. The details of how to plant an orchard properly can have a big impact on the bottom line. In today's episode, Dr. Brent Holtz explains the reasons that he regularly receives calls from growers about their young trees dying. These problems led Holtz to work with the Almond Board of California to create a video in both English and Spanish to highlight the most important planting considerations for both farmers and farm laborers. Holtz has been a farm advisor with University of California Cooperative Extension for about 30 years. He serves as the orchard systems and pomology advisor for San Joaquin County. In addition to tree planting, Holtz discusses some of the latest updates in his many years of work in whole orchard recycling, and why he sees a need to add a tree pruning educational video in the future. “Young tree death is probably one of the highest situations that I'm called out to as a farm advisor throughout my career. Talking to the almond board folks, that was a message that wasn't getting out and that's what led to the discussion that we need a video.” - Dr. Brent HoltzIn Today's episode: ● Meet Dr. Brent Holtz, a farm advisor with University of California Cooperative Extension for about 30 years● Explore the value offered in the new video highlighting the biggest concerns and issues related to tree planting● Learn the latest nitrogen consideration if you are replanting trees after whole orchard recyclingThe Spanish version of the tree planting video will be available later this year and both videos can be found on the Almond Board of California YouTube page under the California Almond Growers Education playlist.The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Effective integrated pest management (IPM) programs for almond pests, especially for navel orangeworm, are not a one-size-fits-all situation and Thomas Martin says especially during these challenging economic times. Martin, a chemist by training and a regional technical representative for Trécé, was a participant in the Almond Leadership Program last year and his project involved analyzing the return on investment (ROI) of various integrated pest management strategies. This project received a lot of interest at The Almond Conference and Martin has since developed a free online tool to calculate the ROI of various IPM practices for navel orangeworm. The website is easy to use and can be personalized to fit individual orchard situations. “We've got some great research done by UC and USDA that shows the benefit of these IPM techniques, but all that research is done in terms of reduction of damage, not in terms of dollars and cents.” - Thomas Martin In Today's episode:Meet Thomas Martin, regional technical representative at Trécé and recent Almond Leadership Program graduateUnderstand the economic impact of integrated pest management practicesExplore the process in developing this tool Access the IPM Return on Investment Calculator at NOWcalc.comThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Coach Prime and the Almond Board of California joined forces around the big game earlier this year, further extending their game-changing campaign. Dive into the behind-the-scenes action and unprecedented success of the 'Own Your Prime' partnership, as ABC's Laura Morin reveals the remarkable impact on California almonds and beyond.

In this episode of the Almond Journey Podcast, we return to The Almond Conference 2023 where we sat down with Almond Board of California Director of Nutrition Research Elena Hemler. Hemler joined the Almond Board over a year ago to work with the Nutrition Research Committee to lead efforts in expanding the body of knowledge about the health properties of almonds. She came to the industry from an academic nutrition research background and previously worked at the Harvard School of Public Health. The ongoing nutrition research that the industry is funding has been a major tailwind in growing global demand for almonds. Hemler shares the latest almond nutrition findings supporting exercise recovery, gut health, weight loss, heart health* and beyond. “We have built a body of research that totals over 200 peer reviewed publications on almonds nutrition and health benefits. This is more than any other food that I know of. All of this research has really contributed to changing perceptions among consumers.” - Elena HemlerIn Today's episode:Meet Almond Board of California Director of Nutrition Research Elena HemlerDiscover the journey towards researching and verifying the many health benefits almonds can offer to consumersReview Hemler's full 2023 Almond Board Conference presentation and catch up on anything you might have missedLearn more about the Nutrition Research Committee at the Almond Board by visiting their webpageThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices. * Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Highlights from April's Global Update – from the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at ABC – include the details behind the suspension of tariffs on almonds going into the UK, the findings from ABC's look into a French decree that was requesting information on endocrine disruptors properties on imports, and the latest on China's facility registration process that had applications stalled for months.

The March edition of the Marketing Bulletin from the Almond Board of California features President and CEO Clarice Turner who details her takeaways from ABC's annual trip to India in February. Turner and ABC staff hosted an almond conference in India where conversations circle around market access and regulation, and then exhibited at the colossal Gulfood show to promote California almonds.

Michael Kelley, President and CEO of Central California Almond Growers Association joined the Journey to share the challenges with the 2023 crop, especially the major problems with navel orangeworm damage. We also discuss other factors that led to it being such a difficult year and what producers can watch out for in the future. Kelley first appeared on this podcast on episode 42. “(NOW damage) has certainly made a dent into the carryover. Hopefully it gets the stocks-to-use ratio to a level that'll be conducive for the price of almonds to move up.” - Michael Kelley In Today's episode:Hear from Michael Kelley, President and CEO of Central California Almond Growers AssociationExplore the impact of navel orangeworms in 2023 and the many factors that contributed to that impactLearn about better communication and education efforts with growers to facilitate more effective pest managementRead more about navel orangeworm management by visiting this Almond Board of California webpageThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry. ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

March's highlights from the Global Update, by the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of California, include a recap of the annual India Tradeshow, ABC workshops at Gulfood that spurred almond interest from new markets, and the first exploratory trip to Pakistan for the Almond Board which revealed strong almond-related traditions in the region.

In February's Marketing Bulletin, here about the busy month of March set for the Trade Marketing and Stewardship group at the Almond Board of California. The team is set to attend three different types of conferences with three different types of attendees, all talking about the role almonds can play in food and recipe ingredients. Manager Charice Grace discusses the differences between the three events and the details behind the Tastemaker Trials competition that has been running this month.

At The Almond Conference 2023, Almond Board of Australia CEO Tim Jackson, and Senior Specialist of Pest Management at the Almond Board of California Lauren Fann joined the Journey. Jackson shared some of the similarities and differences between almond production in California and Australia and discussed the new pest to California almonds, Carpophilus truncatus which Australian producers have been battling for about a decade. Fann discusses the discovery of Carpophilus in California orchards, what we know about the pest and what the industry is doing to try to get ahead of it. “From our point of view, a healthier Californian industry with a good price is a direct benefit to our industry. So we are certainly all ears about helping where we can.” - Tim Jackson In Today's episode:Meet Almond Board of Australia CEO Tim Jackson and Senior Specialist of Pest Management at the Almond Board of California Lauren FannDiscover the similarities and differences between American and Australian almond production and the different obstacles their producers experienceExplore the research and efforts being made to manage the recent Carpophilus exposure in CaliforniaThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In this episode, we are joined by Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California. Turner shares about her listening tour with multiple stops throughout the state to hear from growers and to better understand their needs. She also discusses her previous experiences from farming to working for corporations like Pepsi and Starbucks. Finally, you'll hear some of her ideas and areas of focus now that she has officially taken over for Richard Waycott.“I'm a collaborator. I like to ask a lot of questions and I pride myself in being a good listener, especially when I'm the representative of a collective body. You have to really understand what everyone's needs are.” - Clarice TurnerIn Today's episode:Meet Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond BoardDiscover her professional background and the many benefits she brings to the roll of president and CEOExplore the future Turner sees in the almond industry, how driving demand is “job number one” and the efforts she will encourage to make that happenThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In January's Marketing Bulletin, learn how the Almond Board of California introduced a pioneering QR code initiative aiming to redefine consumer interaction with the almond industry. Placed in high-traffic areas, the billboard-sized QR Code emphasizes transparency and stewardship in almond cultivation. With already hundreds of scans in just a few months, it addresses consumer concerns about water usage, pollinators and waste.

This episode is taken from nine different interviews conducted during The Almond Conference last month. People from around the industry were asked to share what's on top of their minds headed into 2024. You'll hear highlights from Alicia Rockwell, Bret Sill, Nav Athwal, Joe Palomino, Christine Gemperle, Julie Adams, Ambassador Doug McKalip, Michael Kelly, Brent Holtz, and Joseph Jackson.“I really would like to see pricing get stabilized as we come into this next year and do all that we can to continue to market. Our industry has been typically one of the best at marketing our product, and part of that reason is because it's so versatile.” - Alicia RockwellIn today's episode:Highlight the hopes for the new year from around the industryAppreciate nine different perspectives of almond leadersDiscover new technology, new avenues for marketing and new hope for almond prices going forwardThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Highlights from January's Global Update – from the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of California – include information on shipping delays and possible additional costs for cargo avoiding the Suez Canal, the new Great Britain-specific Pre-Export Check program has launched, and the latest update on China facility registrations for U.S. handlers.

In this episode, we celebrate the last twenty years of the Almond Board of California under the leadership of Richard Waycott. Waycott joined the Almond Board as President and CEO in 2002. He joined the Journey to reflect on the past couple of decades in almonds and share his hopes for where the industry goes in the future. We discussed the evolution of the almond industry, milestones and lessons learned along the way, and the transition over to incoming CEO Clarice Turner. “I've thoroughly enjoyed the industry. I've enjoyed this position. I've enjoyed all the challenges that I've had, both personally and professionally. It's been a great ride as they say.” - Richard WaycottIn Today's episode: Join Richard Waycott as he reflects on his decades of experience as the Almond Board of California president and CEOExplore the progress and growth the almond industry has achieved over the last twenty yearsThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Almond grower Jonnalee Dunn joins the Journey from Arbuckle, California. Dunn is the growth and development manager at Henderson Farms, which is a 52-person company that farms around 5,000 acres in Northern California. Dunn and her husband also own 120 acres of their own. In today's episode, Dunn discusses why Henderson Farms prioritizes employee growth and development and how they carry out their company's core values every day.“Our huller was significantly impacted by the freeze (in 2022), and that affects everybody. But we can still come to work trying new innovative ways of doing things. We can still come to work valuing each other.” - Jonnalee DunnIn Today's episode:Meet almond grower Jonnalee Dunn and explore the Henderson Farms' operationDiscover the beginning of Henderson Farms and how it has expanded and grown over the yearsExplore Henderson Farms' core values and how they continue to focus on themThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.