Almond Journey

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...

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) h...

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...

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...

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 area...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Highlights from December's Global Update, from the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of California, include the international trade discussions that took place at The Almond Conference, an update on mold testing at Italian posts, and China has accepted ABC's application to include more almond hulls as animal feed. Listen now.

Almond grower and Almond Board of California Director Christine Gemperle discusses how she finds balance between conventional farming approaches and ecological processes. She also shares her early experiences with whole orchard recycling, new irrigation systems, cover crops and habitat for pollinators, including monarch butterflies. Gemperle and her brother Erich started their almond operation in...

November's Marketing Bulleting from the Almond Board of California includes the details about the Building Global Demand for California Almonds marketing session at The Almond Conference 2023. Find out what will be covered and hear insights from ABC's Emily Fleischmann. Also, hear how Coach Prime and the 'Own Your Prime' campaign are popping up in stores and connecting with consumers.

Highlights from November's Global Update, from the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at ABC, include increased tariffs on almonds in the Turkey market, the efforts to stop a potential increase in Moroccan phosphate prices and the details on an extended trade delegation to China.

Raj Samran is chief operating officer of Hilltop Ranch, Inc. Taj Samran serves as vice president and handles grower relations for the company while also serving as CEO of Samran & Sons Farming. The Samrans share how their family got their start in growing almonds and how that led to also becoming hullers and processors. They also share what keeps them striving for growth despite challenging ec...

October's Marketing Bulletin from the Almond Board of California includes the launch of several tactics this crop year in the Indian market, leveraging the sport of cricket, traditional celebrations, and weddings.

Highlights from October's Global Update – produced by the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of California – include insights on increased import testing in the European Union (EU), the latest on Decree 248 and new facility registrations, and a recap of the EU's State of the Union address that downplayed the regions Farm to Fork strategies.

Dick Cunningham has a long history in the almond business as a grower and huller/sheller. Cunningham remains an active member of the Almond Alliance Board of Directors where he serves as chair of their political action committee. In this episode, Cunningham shares his journey, the ups and downs he has experienced over the years, the current challenges facing growers in 2023, and his outlook for th...

September's Marketing bulletin from the Almond Board of California highlights recent efforts in India around Raksha Bandhan and details the 'Mother of All Snacks' campaign in Germany. The Germany campaign features almonds as a healthy snack rather than for just traditional baking uses.

Grower Dan Clendenin producer almonds in both Merced and Madera as part of a family partnership with his siblings. Growing up, the family grew fresh market vegetables, and they eventually planted almonds in the late 1970s. Clendenin shares his personal almond journey, his hands-on approach to orchard management and some of the innovative practices he has adopted over the years.   “Being outsi...

September's Global Update highlights from the Global, Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of California. Today's Almond Byte covers the removal of retaliatory tariffs on almonds in India, an update on the the Pre-Export Check (PEC) modifications being made for the UK, regulatory and political updates affecting clarity in the European Union market, and a new contract is in pla...

Bikram Hundal is the vice president of operations for Custom Almonds and Sequoia Nut Company . Hundal shares how technology is changing the game in almond processing with optical sorters, artificial intelligence, robotics and other advancements. This technology allows for potential opportunities for data to be shared between growers, hullers and processors to capture more value for everyone involv...

August's Marketing Bulletin from the Almond Board of California. A Partnership of Legends: California Almonds + Prime Time California Almonds are going Prime Time! The Almond Board of California (ABC) is launching a new one-of-a-kind partnership of legends with the one and only Coach Prime himself, Deion Sanders. Coach Prime is a legendary, multi-sport athlete turned coach and almonds are a legend...