Almond Journey

In October’s Almond Byte, the Almond Board of California’s Global Technical and Regulatory team explores trade and regulatory developments affecting California almonds. Hear highlights from the EU and UK delegation’s visit to California and ABC’s fall Washington, D.C., meetings, where export access and growers’ economic pressures were key topics. The team also details the latest on the EU’s packaging requirements, U.S.-China trade developments and Japan’s Pre-Test Program. Tune in for a look at ABC’s work to address trade barriers, support export readiness and keep growers and handlers informed.

UCCE Orchard Farm Advisor Luke Milliron joins the Journey to talk about almond variety trials and growing almonds in the north Sacramento Valley. Milliron has a prolific body of work including co-hosting the “Growing the Valley” podcast and producing resources through field days, newsletters, videos and other outreach. He is also a member of The Almond Board of California’s Global Communications Committee.

“(Variety trails) are the best way to find out what the worst is; finding stuff that should never be in a farmer's field. I want stuff to blow up in my face during these trials and not in a grower's field where big money is being lost.” - Luke Milliron

In Today’s episode:

• Meet UCCE Orchard Farm Advisor Luke Milliron and learn more about his almond journey
• Explore the work Milliron and colleagues are doing with almond variety trials, and the value that this research brings to the industry
• Discover the issues and priorities of almond growers in the northern Sacramento Valley.

Resources:

1. Sac Valley Orchards: https://www.sacvalleyorchards.com/
2. “Growing the Valley” podcast: https://www.growingthevalleypodcast.com/
3. “Last update from the 3rd generation Regional Almond Variety Trial” podcast episode: https://www.growingthevalleypodcast.com/podcastfeed/2026/4/29/last-update-from-the-3rd-generation-regional-almond-variety-trial
4. “Rootstocks Part 3: Almond Rootstocks with Jarvis-Shean, Duncan, and Connell” (one of Miliron’s favorite episodes): https://www.growingthevalleypodcast.com/podcastfeed/almondrootstocks

*Contact Luke Milliron directly (530) 828-9666*

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.

Mani Pandher joins the Journey to discuss the market for California almonds in India, and some exciting strategic changes to drive even more demand. Pandher discusses the history of success for California almonds in India, which has already become California’s top export destination. She also shares the opportunity yet to be realized in the market and answers what the Almond Board is doing to adapt: repositioning almonds, driving demand through integrated campaigns, and winning over younger shoppers.

“When you have consumer love, emotional connection and credibility for a brand; that is what long term growth is built on. And that is what we’re trying to do in India.” - Mani Pandher

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Mani Pandher, senior strategic advisor at the Almond Board of California
• Explore the successful history of California almonds in India
• Discover the reinvented strategy for growing demand for California almonds in the region.

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

September’s Marketing Bulletin explores how the Almond Board of California is growing demand for California almonds in Mexico’s bakery sector. ABC’s Becky Jeffers shares how they identified Mexico’s premium bakery category as a strong opportunity for almond usage and how the organization is working directly with bakers, culinary schools, chefs and industry events to inspire new almond-based products. From hands-on workshops and major trade shows to an upcoming harvest tour in California’s Central Valley, the episode highlights how education, creativity and personal connection are helping bring almonds to the forefront of bakery innovation in Mexico.

Andrea Carrothers and Carmen Berry of FoodMinds join the Journey to provide a look back, and ahead, of what’s happening globally in terms of nutrition policy that may affect almonds. FoodMinds partners with the Almond Board of California and their recent report focuses on the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative and as a result the interest in defining the term “ultra processed food.” Explore how this movement could impact the almond industry specifically, and why it’s important to be part of the conversation.

“ We know almonds are nutrient dense and have a lot of health benefits, and then it's being compared to a product that doesn't have nutrient dense foods. It's hard to compare apples to apples.” - Carmen Berry

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Andrea Carrothers and Carmen Berry of FoodMinds
• Explore the impacts of the MAHA movement on the almond industry
• Discover the significance in having a clear definition for what the label “Ultra Processed Food” means

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.

Entomologist Dr. David Crowder joins the Journey to talk about a project that could be beneficial for management of navel orangeworm. Crowder shares how phenology models have been used to manage major pests in other crops like codling moth and Colorado potato beetle, and how the same approach could help California almond growers with navel orangeworm. Often called "nature's calendar,” phenology is the study of the timing of recurring biological events in the natural world. Crowder says that using a phenology model can provide predictive information about the behavior of things like insect pests.

“Trying to give people simple models of when something might happen seven to 14 days in advance, sending them a text message, ‘Hey, your bugs are going to be flying,’ these are the most effective models.” - Dr. David Crowder

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Washington State University Professor of Entomology Dr. David Crowder
• Explore the value phenology models can offer growers in managing insect pests including navel orangeworm
• Discover the trials available that producers can participate in to evaluate the use of the phenology models predictions

Growers can create an account and explore the Decision Aid System at treenuts.decisionaid.systems/

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.

This month’s Almond Byte from ABC’s Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team looks back at a busy 2025/26 year supporting market access for California almonds around the world. From progress on Japan’s voluntary aflatoxin pre-testing protocol and duty-free access into the European Union to strengthened relationships in key markets including China, India, Mexico, Morocco and the United Kingdom, the GTRA team worked to resolve nearly 100 trade and technical issues, protect export opportunities and represent California almonds in global regulatory discussions.

Dan Sonke joins the Journey from The Almond Conference 2025 in Sacramento to discuss sustainability programs and their impact on consumer perception and farming economics. At that time of this interview, Sonke was the head of sustainability programs at Blue Diamond Growers where he was responsible for building and leading enterprise sustainability strategy, reporting, and governance. Sonke also led development of one of the world’s largest farmer datasets through the California Almond Stewardship Platform (CASP), and serves as the current chair of the Almond Board of California’s Environmental Stewardship Working Group.

“We have an amazing, science-backed story for our customers around the world. When they buy almonds from California, they're buying something that's not only a healthy product, but has a high degree of environmental protection associated with it.” - Dan Sonke

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Dan Sonke, chair of the Almond Board of California’s Environmental Working Group and almond industry leader in sustainability
• Discover how Sonke has pursued a career in developing and executing agriculture sustainability across multiple industries
• Explore the creation and intention of the California Almond Stewardship Platform

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 Almond Byte, the Almond Board of California’s Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team provides updates on key international trade and regulatory issues affecting California almonds. The episode covers ABC’s participation at SNACKEX in Lisbon, recent tariff and trade developments, the new U.S.-EU trade deal that could support almond competitiveness in Europe, and evolving maximum residue limit policies in Vietnam and Thailand. Together, these updates show how ABC works to protect market access, strengthen global relationships and keep almond growers informed about issues that can affect demand and movement of California almonds around the world.

Carson Pettit joined the Journey to share what led him back to California and into the almond industry, some of the current market dynamics in the global almond trade, how RPAC is staying on the cutting edge of grower engagement, his experiences with the California Ag Leadership program, and his hopes for the future. Pettit is the grower relations manager at RPAC growers and processors. This episode was recorded at The Almond Conference 2025 back in December, so his comments are all relative to what was happening at that point in time.

“We really need clarity for everybody to feel better about being active in the market. And when there's not that clarity, it's just very hard for anybody to have any sense of a good idea of what's going to happen in the world.” - Carson Pettit

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Carson Pettit, the grower relations manager at RPAC growers and processors
• Discover Pettit’s journey into the almond industry and what his role is as a grower relations manager
• Understand current market dynamics in the global almond trade and how that may impact producers
• Explore how RPAC is pursuing and expanding grower engagement
• Learn about his experiences with the California Ag Leadership Program and the impact that has made on his career

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.