Almond Journey
Episodes
Episode 37: India Loves California Almonds with Mohnish Seth
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mohnish Seth is the president and owner of Farmers International. He and his wife Versha Seth joined the Journey to share their incredible story of mi...
Episode 36: Groundwater Recharge with Eric Spycher
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Third generation almond grower Eric Spycher farms alongside his brother, Curt, and their father near Balico, California. This past year, Spycher was o...
Almond Byte, February 2023: Algeria Fumigation, New Plastic Laws and India Tariffs
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Highlights from the February 2023 Global Update from the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of California. Algeria Requi...
Episode 35: The State of the Almond Industry with Richard Waycott
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we revisit The Almond Conference 2022 with Almond Board President and CEO Richard Waycott to recap his message on the state of the al...
Episode 34: Industry Perspectives About 2023 and Beyond
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Almond Journey Podcast, we sit down with nine different almond industry leaders to hear about their hopes for 2023 and beyond. ...
Almond Byte, January 2023: Trade Leaders Confirmed, PEC Issues in UK, Hulls to China and More
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
January's Global Update from the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of California in today's Almond Byte.Ag Trade Leader...
Special Episode: Almond Achievement Award Winner Brian Ezell
30 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This special episode was recorded in-person at The Almond Conference in early December 2022. Almond Achievement Award winner Brian Ezell shares his al...
Episode 33: Soil Science and Crop Fertility with Bill Brush
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Brush is a wealth of knowledge about soil and crop fertility. After years of farming and working in ag retail, Brush became fascinated by the wor...
Episode 32: Pest Management with Robert Sylvester
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, pest control adviser (PCA) Robert Sylvester joins the journey. Sylvester has worked for Wilbur Ellis for over 12 years focused on alm...
Episode 31: Automation in the Orchard with Jarred Greene
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Almond grower Jarred Greene didn’t always know he would end up pursuing farming as a career. In 2013, Greene took a summer internship with his curre...
Almond Byte, November 2022: EU Update, Engagement in India and Development of Pest and Trade Strategies
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
November's Global Update includes the latest on the European Union, engagement in the Indian market and new pesticide and trade strategy development.E...
Episode 30: The Almond Conference Celebrates 50 Years!
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The 50th Almond Conference will host over 3,500 attendees and 270 exhibitors this December in Sacramento. Jim Jasper, Ladd Hackler, Bob Curtis and Reb...
Almond Byte, October 2022: EU Market Update, Tree Nut Reports and Chief Ag Negotiator Process
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
EU Regulatory & Trade Update The overall aflatoxin rejections for California almonds in Europe have trended down, from 32 in 2017-18 to 2 so far t...
Episode 29: California FFA Importance and Support with Daniel Bays, Katie Otto
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Bays is a sixth-generation California farmer who also happens to be a former California State FFA Officer. In today’s episode, Bays shares ab...
Almond Byte, September 2022: Transportation Update, USTR Trade Negotiator and Decree 248
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Updates on transportation and Logistics, a new USTR Chief Negotiator and China's Decree 248 challenges in this month's Global Update from the Global T...
Episode 28: Stockpile Management with Patrick Abercrombie
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Almond grower Patrick Abercrombie farms with his family in Kerman, California. In 2007, after about a decade of growing almonds, it became difficult f...
Almond Byte, August 2022: Fiscal Year Wrap
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
While exports got off to a slow start at the beginning of the marketing year, record monthly shipments during the last quarter resulted in the second ...
Episode 27: Brown Spot with Patrick Romero and Mel Machado
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Almond grower and pest control adviser (PCA) Patrick Romero shares some of the issues he has been seeing with plant bugs in orchards, including leaffo...
Episode 26: California Almonds and ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ with Brian Wahlbrink
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we head east of Modesto to the town of Denair to visit with Brian Wahlbrink of Sperry Farms. Brian grows almonds with his brother-in-law, Wes Sp...
Almond Byte, July 2022: Transportation/Logistics Latest and China Decree 248 Update
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Transportation/Logistics Update ABC staff attended the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) annual conference in Tacoma that focused on ongoing...
Episode 25: Exploring Cover Crops with Kyle Nichols and Rory Crowley
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Farmers Kyle Nichols and Rory Crowley discuss the benefits and tradeoffs of planting cover crops. They examine the economics and agronomics of the pra...
Almond Byte, June 2022: Transportation Update, MRL Conference and Pakistan Ban
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Transportation-Logistics UpdateThe Almond Alliance, along with other agricultural export leaders, has met with significant ocean carriers such as CMA/...
Episode 24: Global Supply and Demand with Richard Waycott
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Waycott is the president and CEO of the Almond Board of California (ABC). Over the past 20 years he has seen almond production triple from one...
Almond Byte, May 2022: Transportation and Logistics Update
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On April 25, a group of agricultural stakeholders, led by the Almond Alliance of California (AAC), sent a letter to the United States Department of Ag...
Episode 23: Irrigation Efficiency with Kirk Pumphrey
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kirk Pumphrey grows 160 acres of almonds on Westwind Farms in Yolo County. He has been on a seven-year journey to finetune his operation, especially i...
Almond Byte, April 2022: Australia/India deal, Logistics Update, EU Pauses Sustainable Strategy
30 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Australia and India ink new Trade AgreementIt has been in the works for a long time, but it appearsAustralia and India have finally concluded their Ec...
Episode 22: Fertilizer Strategies with Devin Clarke
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Devin Clarke has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to crop fertility, and is conducting some interesting trials at YARA’s Incubator Farm. The farm...
Episode 21: Transportation Challenges with Darren Rigg
29 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Darren Rigg is a field buyer and sales representative for Minturn Nut Company and a member of the Almond Board of California Board of Directors....
Episode 20: New Orchard Ideas and Funding Sources with Alec Earle
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we visit with almond grower and retired Air Force officer Alec Earle. Alec and his wife each spent over 30 years in the Air Force, fir...
Episode 19: Sharing Your Story on National Almond Day With Jenny Holtermann
16 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This National Almond Day episode travels down to Shafter, California to chat with 4th generation California farmer Jenny Holtermann, wh...
Episode 18: Evaluating and Adapting Your Integrated Pest Management Program with Justin Nay
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, independent PCA and crop consultant, Justin Nay, shares advice and experience for your almond orchard’s integrated pest manage...
Episode 17: The Agronomics and Economics of Whole Orchard Recycling and Cover Crops with Carl Evers and Jeremy Olday of AgIS Capital
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode we visit with Carl Evers and Jeremy Olday of AgIS Capital. AgIS Capital is an employee-owned management firm that invests in farm...
Episode 16: Orchard Experiments and Lessons from a Field Representative with Donny Hicks
22 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we visit with almond grower and Hughson Nut Field Representative Donny Hicks. Donny manages a small 18-acre orchard, which helps him k...
Episode 15: Fertilizer, Farming, and the Almond Leadership Program with Kyle McClintock
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we visit with Kyle McClintock. Kyle is the vice president and general manager of San Joaquin Fertilizer. He is also an almond grower a...
Episode 14: Morning Star Fresh Food Ministry with Bret Sill
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode takes us to Bakersfield, California, where we talk to Bret Sill who you heard from on episode 008. We’re revisiting Bret for a bit...
Episode 13: Investments in Nutrition Research with George Goshgarian
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode introduces us to George Goshgarian. George is an almond grower and also the chairman of the Almond Board of California’s Nutrition...
Episode 12: New Approaches to Pest Management and Irrigation with Leon Etchepare
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode takes us to Maxwell, California, about halfway between Sacramento and Redding. We meet 4th generation farmer Leon Etchepare. Leon is...
Episode 11: Seeds for Bees with Samantha Lopes and Kris Melgard
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we discuss the Seeds for Bees Program with two growers who have taken advantage of this resource. If the Seeds for Bees Program is new...
Episode 10: Water Use Efficiency with Zac Ellis
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode takes us to Fresno where we visit with Olam Farms senior director of agronomy, Zac Ellis. Zac is in his sixth season with Olam Farms, but...
Episode 9: Learning to Design an Orchard with Cal Mast
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode takes us outside of Turlock, California to the orchard of Cal Mast. Cal comes from a dairy background and purchased his 45-acre almo...
Episode 8: Harvest Technology with Bret Sill
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we visit Kern County almond grower Bret Sill of Sill Properties to talk about harvesting technology. Bret’s family has been farming...
Episode 7: Water Conservation and Climate Smart Agriculture with Matt Angell
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Angell introduces us to some of the climate-smart farming practices he is exploring and his approach to water conservation. Matt is a third-gener...
Episode 6: Custom Harvesting with Luke Hicks
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we meet Luke Hicks of LH Farm Service, a custom harvesting and orchard sanitation company. Luke shares about harvest operations, how h...
Episode 5: Irrigation Efficiency Through Technology with Sal Parra, Jr
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we visit with Burford Ranch assistant manager Sal Parra, Jr. Sal grew up on the farm where he now lives and works alongside his father...
Episode 4: The Almond Value Chain with Joe Gardiner
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we visit with Joe Gardiner, sales manager at Treehouse California Almonds, and partner in Gardiner Farms and Pacific Ag Land Managemen...
Episode 3: Investing in the Future of the Almond Industry with Dave Phippen
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode we visit with Dave Phippen of Travaille & Phippen. Travaille & Phippen is a partnership that started with a family of alm...
Episode 2: Navel Orangeworm Mating Disruption with Kent Stenderup
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our featured topic for today’s episode, and a challenge many almond growers deal with: navel orangeworm. Kent Stenderup joins the show to talk about...
Episode 1: Pollination and Beekeeping with Dan Cummings
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the last two decades, pollination costs have increased dramatically for almond growers. On average now, about 15-20% of the total costs of producin...
Introducing: The Almond Journey Podcast!
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Almond Journey Podcast, brought to you by The Almond Board of California. On this show we explore how growers, handlers, and other stak...