Welcome to Industrial Edge! In this episode, we sit down with William Bordeau at the 2025 Pistachio Growers Conference in Monterey, California. William shares his journey as a farmer, veteran, and executive, and dives deep into the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture today—from water policy and the Endangered Species Act to the impact of AI and automation on farming. We also discuss the importance of local business, political advocacy, and making a difference in your community.

00:00 - Introduction
00:23 - William Bordeau: Background & Roles
00:42 - Farming Operations & Executive Leadership
01:02 - Public Speaking & Water Supply Challenges
01:22 - The Endangered Species Act Explained
02:20 - Real-World Impacts on Farming
04:08 - Water Policy, Habitat, and Environmental Issues
06:25 - National Security & Food Supply
07:46 - Legal Battles & Environmental Policy
09:15 - Forest Management & Economic Decisions
11:57 - Political Advocacy & Making a Difference
13:17 - The Future of Local Business
15:01 - Nutrition, Pistachios, and Global Markets
16:41 - Trends in Agriculture: AI & Automation
18:21 - Embracing Technology in Farming
20:21 - Leadership, Upbringing, and Forward Thinking
24:08 - Community Involvement & Making an Impact
27:13 - Final Thoughts & Advice for Getting Involved
34:55 - Closing

Welcome to Industrial Edge! In this episode, we’re live from the 2025 American Pistachio Growers Conference in Monterey, California, with special guest Zach Shields, Head of Sales and Customer Success at Borde AI. We discuss the future of factory automation, AI-powered grading and inspection, and the evolving landscape of the tree nut industry.

00:00 – Introduction & Conference Setting
00:21 – Meet Zach Shields: Background & Role at Borde
00:41 – What is AI Grading & Inspection for Tree Nuts?
01:03 – USDA Standards & Sampling Limitations
01:56 – Critical Foreign Material Detection (Glass, Metal, Allergens)
02:37 – What Can’t the Cameras See? (Rancidity)
05:09 – Overcoming Price Sensitivity & Industry Inertia
06:14 – Labor Savings, Traceability, and Visibility
07:13 – Zach’s Career Journey: From Insurance to AgTech
07:49 – Market Cycles in Tree Nuts: Pistachio, Almond, Walnut
09:23 – AI in Ag: Beyond Sci-Fi, Real-World Computer Vision
09:41 – Real-Time Alerts & The Human-AI Balance
11:05 – Real-Time Data Feedback to Sorting Machines
13:58 – AI Model Training & Network Effects
14:16 – Operating Without Internet: Offline Capabilities
14:38 – The Future: Disrupting 60-Year-Old Standards
17:18 – Closing Thoughts & Thanks

In this episode of Industrial Edge, host Lacey sits down with Zachary Fraser, President and CEO of American Pistachio Growers, at the 2025 Pistachio Growers Conference in Monterey, California. They discuss Zachary's journey from sports management to the pistachio industry, his insights into future trends, the challenges faced by growers, and the ambitious goals of the organization.

00:00 Introduction
00:26 Meet Zachary Fraser
01:18 Transition to the Pistachio Industry
02:46 Learning Every Day
04:02 Goals for the Future
07:15 Sustainability
09:49 Supporting Growers
19:58 Government Affairs
23:39 Trends in the Industry
23:41 Technology's Role
30:11 New Uses for Pistachios
33:03 Sports Management Skills
36:33 Conference as Game Day
39:24 Call to Action

Join us in this episode of Industrial Edge as Lacey Chandler sits down with Kiki Sandrini at the 2025 Pistachio Growers Conference. Kiki Sandrini from Chandler Automation, shares her journey from pistachio farming to selling cutting-edge automation equipment. Discover the transformative trends in the pistachio industry, the impact of automation, and the evolving market dynamics that are shaping the future. Whether you're involved in agriculture or intrigued by industrial automation, this episode offers valuable insights into embracing change and leveraging technology for growth.

00:00 Introduction
00:33 Meet Kiki Sandrini
02:02 Industry Changes
02:17 Pistachio Market Trends
03:49 Understanding Automation
07:04 Modernizing Production
07:57 Adapting to New Technologies
09:12 Future Insights
10:13 Work Culture at Chandler Automation
12:02 Final Thoughts

In this episode of Industrial Edge, recorded at the 2025 Pistachio Growers Conference in Monterey, California, we talk about the advancements in factory automation that are revolutionizing the industry. Lacy Chandler interviews John Beaulieu, Director of Operations at Meridian Growers Processing, and Sean Chandler, CEO of Chandler Automation, discussing state-of-the-art processing methods, efficiency enhancements, and the pivotal role of automation in the future of pistachio processing.

00:00 Introduction to Industrial Edge
00:24 Guest Introduction: John Beaulieu
00:48 Innovations in Pistachio Processing
02:38 Future Projects and Efficiency Enhancements
03:59 The Role of Automation Technology
04:53 Industry Changes Over the Years
05:32 Introduction to Sean Chandler
12:43 Employee Efficiency with Automation
29:40 Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Industrial Edge, recorded live from the 2025 American Pistachio Growers Conference in Monterey, California, we dive into the world of factory automation and technological advancements in the pistachio processing industry. Join April Ramos and Emmanuel Ramos from Primex Famrs LLC. as they share their extensive experiences and insights on processing, automation, and food safety in the industry.

00:00 Introduction
00:18 Guest Introductions
01:08 Understanding Pistachio Processing
02:13 The Detailed Processing Steps
05:22 Evolution of Equipment in the Industry
10:27 The Role of Automation
12:38 AI and Robotics in the Industry
14:39 The Benefit of Adopting Technology
18:56 Overcoming Challenges
21:27 ROI on Automation
23:41 Advice for the Industry
26:05 Working with Chandler Automation

In this episode of the Industrial Edge podcast, recorded live from the 2025 American Pistachio Growers Conference in Monterey,  Lacey Chandler sits down with Ashley Hollis and Nori Shishido from Chandler Automation. They discuss their roles, the impact of automation in the food processing industry, ongoing industry trends, and the role of women in the nut industry. The conversation also covers labor dynamics, technological advancements, and the benefits of their service programs.

 Introduction to Industrial Edge Podcast
 Guest Introductions
 Roles and Responsibilities
 Industry Changes and Developments
 Current Industry Trends
 Impact of Robotics and AI
 Customer Benefits and Efficiency
 Chandler Automation's Service Programs
 Women in Tree Nuts

In this episode of Industrial Edge, we dive into the future of energy solutions in the agricultural sector. Join host Lacy as she speaks with Gena Bettencourt and Rodney Machado from CalCom Energy at the American Pistachio Growers Conference, 2025. They discuss the latest innovations in solar and battery storage, the challenges of energy tariffs, and how CalCom Energy is helping large-scale agricultural operations reduce their energy costs and pivot towards more sustainable practices.

00:00 Introduction
00:18 Interview with Gena Bettencourt
01:52 Discussion on Energy Solutions
02:08 Focus on the Food Industry
03:41 Explanation of NAM Tariff
04:35 Importance of Cold Storage
07:13 Interview with Rodney Machado
07:45 Benefits of Solar and Battery Storage
10:47 Service and Support

In this episode of industrial edge,  Lacey Chandler and Aaron Black are at the 2024 Almond Board Conference, where they discuss factory automation and packaging solutions. From Aaron’s journey from a submariner to a packaging expert, to the impact of automation on small businesses, this episode dives deep into the future of the industry.

00:00 Introduction 
00:18 Attendance at the Conference
00:24 Brief Banter and Conference Highlights
00:47 Getting to Know Aaron Black
00:55 Aaron’s Career Journey
05:08 Challenges & Success in Packaging
06:42 Helping Businesses Grow with Automation
08:32 Addressing Automation Myths
17:23 Industry Trends and Future
13:41 Finding Aaron and PFM
17:38 Running a Turnkey Solution

In this episode of Industrial Edge, Lacey Chandler is joined by Eva Rydholt at the 2024 Almond Board conference in Sacramento. They talk about the world of factory automation, discussing Eva's company, OK International, and their innovative packaging equipment. From the history of the company to the specifics of their machinery and how it benefits various industries, this episode covers it all. 

00:00 Introduction
01:12 OK International: Company Overview
02:04 From Garage Startup to Industry Leader
02:43 Explaining Packaging Equipment
04:51 Streamlining Packaging Processes
08:14 Impact on Industries and Efficiency Gains
09:05 Eva's Personal Touch: Bentley the Golden Doodle
14:22 Future of Automation and How to Connect