Almond Journey

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 Rockwell

In today’s episode:

• Highlight the hopes for the new year from around the industry
• Appreciate nine different perspectives of almond leaders
• Discover new technology, new avenues for marketing and new hope for almond prices going forward

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 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 Waycott

In Today’s episode:

• Join Richard Waycott as he reflects on his decades of experience as the Almond Board of California president and CEO
• Explore the progress and growth the almond industry has achieved over the last twenty years

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.

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 Dunn

In Today’s episode:

• Meet almond grower Jonnalee Dunn and explore the Henderson Farms' operation
• Discover the beginning of Henderson Farms and how it has expanded and grown over the years
• Explore Henderson Farms’ core values and how they continue to focus on them

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, 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 1997, which includes 135 acres on two farms: one near Ceres and the other in the Newman area. The brother-sister partners are second generation central valley farmers.

“I don't know that people understand how much food security is dependent on California agriculture. It's so important globally that we be able to continue to farm.” - Christine Gemperle

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Christine Gemperle of Gemperle Orchards
• Discover how Gemperle has incorporated practices such as whole orchard recycling, cover crops and pollinator habitat into her operation
• Understand how new approaches and new irrigation technologies are making California farms more efficient and resilient

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.

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 economic conditions.

“We really like it when an employee says, our company, or like this is our forklift. Because then it shows they care and that means they're happy working here.” - Raj Samran

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Raj and Taj Samran who own and operate Hilltop Ranch, Inc. and Samran & Sons Farming
• Discover how the Samran family got their start in almonds in California and how this led to becoming hullers and processors within the industry
• Explore their business approach and how they make sure their employees are taken care of

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.

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.