Growers in the San Joaquin Valley are not alone in dealing with the harsh impacts of drought. The Sacramento Valley has been hit pretty hard as well, and almond growers are concerned with how this will affect the quality of their crop over the next few years. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Orchard Systems Advisor Luke Milliron as he shares his insights, based on his presentation at The Almond Conference, and read more about in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
“On behalf of Malcolm Media and our partners at UPL, I am very excited to announce the realization of an initiative that has been in the planning stages to serve grape and nut growers for a long time,” shares Dan Malcolm, Publisher of American Vineyard and Pacific Nut Producer Magazines.
Dan Malcolm
What started as a school video project inspired Malcolm Media to create a series of videos that will tell the stories of individual growers, not just to share within the industry, but with the real purpose of sharing the stories of farmers with the general public. ““A Grower’s Story” will serve to introduce our urban neighbors to the good people who grow the food we all consume,” Malcolm reports.
As told by Emmy Award winning documentarian Joseph Malcolm, “A Grower’s Story” is part of the ongoing commitment at Malcolm Media to serve the agricultural community. By telling the stories of grape and nut growers, providing farmers a platform from which to tell their own stories, this facilitates a relationship to develop in the hearts and minds of people everywhere with their rural benefactor. It could certainly be argued that consumers need to know about the food they eat, but more importantly, if they could learn from growers themselves, getting to know more personally the good people who feed the world, we can establish bonds between farmers and consumers that will make us all friends.
“We want to provide growers with success in farming,” Malcolm explains. “It is so important in our current climate that there be positive buzz about growers and their endeavors so that they may be free to feed the world without misunderstandings that often occur when there is minimal or incomplete information available to those wanting to know more. We at Malcolm Media believe it is key to grower success that we invest and help share with our friends who consume the bounty which growers provide, the work and deeds of good farmers. This is what “A Grower’s Story” is all about.”
UPL, a leader in global food systems and one of the top five agricultural solutions companies worldwide, also has vision to help spread the good word of what growers do and have generously invested to assist Malcolm Media in the creation and worldwide distribution of short “A Grower’s Story” documentaries that will tell the stories of the people who grow food. “We are so grateful that our good friends at UPL are enthusiastically partnering through funding the “A Grower’s Story” initiative for 2022,” Malcolm shared.
Malcolm Media will publicize this video series utilizing their own in-house social media tools, both print and digital (American Vineyard, Pacific Nut Producer, AmericanVineyardMagazine.com, PacificNutProducer.com, CaliforniaAgNet.com), as well as new tools specifically developed for the purpose of outreach to the general public, outside their traditional ag channels. GrapeGrower.org and NutGrower.orgwere launched on April 1st for this exclusive purpose of hosting “A Grower’s Story” three to five minute non-commercial documentaries. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, Malcolm Media will use social media and other means to get viewership of many more outside of agriculture to elevate the image of growers and those who work in farming to consumers. A Grower’s Story has been launched on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn for the purpose of connecting with the community. The goal is to reach as many as possible with positive messages about grape and nut growers, the good people they are and the essential work they do.
Beginning in April, Malcolm Media will begin to distribute “A Grower’s Story” documentaries regularly through the end of 2022 to feature twelve growers this year. The plan is to continue beyond 2022 with as many stories as there are to be told, reaching as many members of the general public, making new friends for agriculture, for many years to come.
Joseph Malcolm first took an interest in video journalism as a high school student at Buchanan High School in Clovis, California, where he graduated valedictorian in 2018. As part of an advanced and award winning team of student journalists, he learned skills behind the camera, and earned the opportunity to serve as an on camera personality telling the stories of members of their campus community. Under the tutelage of Digital Filmmaking/Videography teacher Dan Pearce, Joseph learned his craft through participation in the production of regular broadcasts, commercials, music videos, and documentary storytelling, for which he won his first Emmy at the ripe young age of 18, titled “A Grower’s Story.”
Joseph Malcolm
“With the directing and camera skills of documentarian and photojournalist Joseph Malcolm, we are confident stories will be told that will bring farmers into the hearts of people everywhere,” shares Malcolm. “We are so excited to serve our grape and nut industry community in this unique and heartfelt way, and have ultimately envisioned an extensive collection of “A Grower’s Story” documentaries representing all of the industries we serve.”
As the US Pistachio industry continues to ramp up in production, global marketing efforts have never been more critical to keep demand ahead of supply. Watch this brief interview with Judy Hirigoyen from American Pistachio Growers as she shares how American Pistachio Growers is leading the charge.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
American Pistachio Growers gathered in record numbers recently for their annual conference in Carlsbad, CA.
Watch this brief interview with Richard Matoian, President of American Pistachio Growers as he shares highlights, and how the record attendance is also a reflection of the growth of the industry and new heights in pistachio acreage and production being reached.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
The election results for six Board seats, for the 2022 American Pistachio Growers (APG) Board of Directors, were recently announced during the Annual Membership Meeting. The newly elected board members are Adam Kusmak of Tularosa Pistachio Groves, New Mexico, and from California, William Bourdeau of Harris Farms, Paul Huckabay of Keenan Farming Company, Raj Kahlon of RHM Farms, Jim Zion of LJL Farming, and Ali Amin of Primex Farms, who has been re-elected to the board for a second term. Rudy Placencia of Touchstone Pistachio Company was appointed to the Board in November to fill a vacant seat.
The 2022 APG officers were also unanimously confirmed for the year: Dennis Woods, Chair; Vice Chair Justin Wylie; and Rich Kreps Secretary/Treasurer. As for the six who have completed their terms of service, APG offers their heartfelt gratitude to them. The invaluable leadership and the many hours of volunteering that Dominic Pitigliano, Gary Smith, Steve Moore, Steve Burcham, and Danielle Kusmak gave, on behalf of APG, is deeply appreciated.
American Pistachio Growers’ Board of Directors consists of 18-member growers who bring a diverse range of knowledge, perspective and experience to the association. Board members, elected by APG growers, serve a 3-year term, and may serve up to 2 consecutive terms.
The “Noon” Kiwanis Club of Tulare will present its 61st “Farmer of the Year” award to Ronnie and Tom Clark, pistachio farmers from Tulare. The luncheon will take place on March 30th at 12:00 pm in Tulare. Tickets are $35. Tickets may be purchased at Mechanics Bank, Farm Credit West, or Garton Tractor in Tulare. Or for sponsorships, call Celeste Moore, event chair at 559-280-1481.
Ronald (known as Ronnie) has lived in Tulare County his entire life, is married to Robyn with sons Christopher and Michael (deceased) and stepsons Derek & Brandon Walker. Brandon works with Ronnie in the family business. Ronnie graduated from Tulare Western High School in 1970, attended COS and Cal Poly, and started farming in 1975 north of Tulare growing cotton, wheat, and corn. A partnership with his father Bob, uncle Don, and cousin Tom known as Clarklind Farms was formed in 1983 and today farms pistachios and almonds. Clarklind Farms has also received numerous awards over the years for their high yields in grain corn Ronnie serves on a variety of boards including Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District board, Kaweah and St. Johns Rivers Association, Mid Valley Growers, Pistachio Growers, Inc., and the board of the International Agri Center. In the past he has also served on the San Joaquin Valley Cotton Board, California Pistachio Commission, Tulare High School Ag Advisory, and is a member of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce. Ronnie and Tom both support many local efforts for youth sports, youth 4-H and FFA, youth exhibitors at the fair, and so many more charities too many to mention.
Thomas (known as Tom) has been married to Denise for 42 years and has three grown children: Ami, Chad, and Drew and five grandchildren; Drew becoming the fourth generation farmer in the Clark family. Tom attended Tulare Western High and Fresno State University and played varsity golf all four years in high school. He is a partner in the Clarklind Farms operation with Ron which was formed in 1983. He began working at the age of 13, shoveling furrow ends during the summer and at age 16 was promoted to combine driver during his summers. He worked in laser scraping when he was 20 years old, in the early years of this emerging technology. He has been farming for 49 years in all and has served on the Tulare Irrigation District Board. He coached high school junior varsity golf for three years, and in his free time enjoys golfing, snow and water skiing and wake surfing.
This annual awards luncheon recognizes the lifetime achievements of outstanding agriculturalists in our community and provides an opportunity for the Tulare Kiwanis to highlight the value of agriculture in our region and recognize an outstanding person or family. In the past they have recognized fathers, sons, brothers, cousins, and many more.
The luncheon includes a video montage about the honorees and a look back at the past 60 years of honorees, it is an emotional and touching tribute to our farm community and the many wonderful farmers in our great community of Tulare. To buy tickets, request to make a presentation at the luncheon, or be a major sponsor please contact event chair, Celeste Moore at 559-280-1481.
On Tuesday, March 15, the Westlands Water District Board of Directors appointed Jeff Fortune to fill the vacancy created when Director Todd Neves resigned last month. Mr. Fortune will serve through December 2022, when he will stand for election to fill the remainder of Director Neves’ term.
“Jeff Fortune has farmed in Westlands for more than four decades. The Board will benefit from his experience and perspective as the District navigates unprecedented drought, implementation of the sustainable groundwater management act, and many other challenges in the months and years ahead,” said Westlands’ Board President Ryan Ferguson.
Mr. Fortune, a third generation California farmer and the second generation Westlands farmer, is a “boots on the ground” farmer. Since his graduation from the University of California at Davis, he has worked alongside his father, and more recently, his two brothers, at their family farm, Fortune Farming Company. Mr. Fortune currently grows tomatoes, almonds, and pistachios on his family farm.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve,” Mr. Fortune said after being appointed, “Instead of sitting back and watching our farms, farmers, and communities struggle, I am taking this opportunity to offer my experience and ideas to help this District remain a place where family farms like mine can not only continue to operate, but can once again thrive.”
About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.
The next five years for American pistachio growers presents challenges and great opportunity, prompting a call for unity at the industry’s Annual Pistachio Conference, which kicked off today in Carlsbad, CA. More than 1200 attendees—an industry record—from three states participated in the conference, which kicked off with a panel of growers who discussed the next five years, as production ramps up.
A grower panel underscored three topics on growers’ minds: accelerating production of pistachios between 2022 and 2026; keeping doors open to American pistachios in key export markets like India; and ongoing pest battles. They emphasized that, while the three topics present challenges, the industry’s trade association, American Pistachio Growers (APG), has proven efficacy in addressing each issue and there could be tremendous opportunity over the next five years with a united industry.
According to data analyzed by Sacramento economist Dennis H. Tootelian, Ph.D., California growers will produce 6.9 billion pounds of pistachios over the next five years, 2.4 billion more than they produced in the previous five-year period from 2017-2021. APG, as the trade association representing the U.S. industry, has kept pace with building consumer demand for the increased volume in recent years in targeted export markets, which he says has helped to support grower pricing in the face of rapid production. Tootelian showed that in countries where APG focused their marketing efforts, exports have grown 36% a year compared to 17% in countries with no APG marketing emphasis.
Tulare County pistachio grower Dominic Pitigliano
Tulare County grower Dominic Pitigliano, past Chair of APG and a grower panelist, said, “Ten years ago, APG identified the export markets with the greatest growth potential and our intense focus on those markets has paid off in building consumer demand.”
The grower panel discussed India as a prime growth market for U.S. pistachios where continued marketing could boost opportunities in the years ahead. India possesses the market conditions necessary for a growth market — rising population, growing per capita income, and increasing consumption of pistachios.
Tootelian projects that in 2022 consumers in India will consume 272,000 pounds of pistachios per day, and by 2026, they will be buying 410,000 pounds per day.
APG, which is funded by assessments from growers and government grants, has leveraged those dollars to boost exports and address impediments to trade in the form of tariffs and non- tariff barriers. The grower panel underscored the importance of having APG continue to play a strong role to keep the door open in India.
“APG packs a one–two punch in export markets,” said APG Chair, Dennis Woods. “Getting tariffs reduced or eliminated is the first step, followed by marketing programs that enlighten consumers about the health benefits of American pistachios. The strategy works as long as we all work together,” noting the organization has 64 dedicated growers from three states who volunteer on the APG Board and committees.
American Pistachio Growers Chair, Dennis Woods
While marketing ever larger crops will command the industry’s attention in coming years, so too will challenges that come from the surge in pistachio orchards in California. The Navel Orangeworm (NOW), the major pest threat to pistachios, has been fought with a plethora of tools — costly inputs, winter sanitation programs, and mating disruption techniques.
Tootelian estimated that growers will spend $1.8 billion in total NOW management costs in the next five years.
APG has led the industry effort to use a novel tool in the fight against NOW — a U.S. Department of Agriculture facility in Phoenix that rears sterile Navel Orangeworm moths for aerial distribution over a few thousand acres of pistachios and almonds in Kern County. APG helped to secure $8 million in federal funds for the pilot project, but the USDA has recommended an additional $21 million per year to expand the project. The Phoenix facility was instrumental in rearing sterile pink bollworm moths that led to the successful eradication of the cotton pink bollworm in California in 2018.
“I know at the very least we can suppress Navel Orangeworm because we had similar success in the cotton industry,” said Ted Sheely, a pistachio and cotton grower who chairs the NOW Action Committee, the industry advisory committee that government requires in such situations. “We need to continue to push hard for the $21 million per year that will be required to keep the Arizona facility going and expand the program to the extent that we need it. Navel Orangeworm is an industry-wide concern, and we need APG to secure the funding to support this program.”
“APG’s leadership has envisioned the future and how we should position the industry for success,” said APG President Richard Matoian. “As the industry’s trade association, we need every grower to participate in APG in order to fund our ability to make our future plans reality. We’ve done a good job so far, and we’re optimistic about the next five years.”
About American Pistachio Growers American Pistachio Growers is a non-profit trade association representing more than 865 growers, member processors, and industry stakeholders in California, Arizona & New Mexico.
India has quickly become the number one export market for the California almond industry, and the Almond Board has increased its marketing investment there by 80%. Watch this brief interview with Emily Fleischmann from the Almond Board of California, as she shares details about their strategic partnerships there and how these funds are being used to drive demand. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
The trade dispute with China has proved challenging for tree nut exports into China, but the California almond industry has even more to provide the Chinese market — almond hulls. Almond hulls have long been used on California dairies, but the potential to reach China’s animal feed market brings promising opportunity and value for this byproduct. Watch this brief interview with Keith Schneller, Trade Policy Specialist for the Almond Board of California, as he shares the progress on getting approval to start shipping hulls. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
The “Noon” Kiwanis Club of Tulare will present its 61st “Farmer of the Year” award to Ronnie and Tom Clark, pistachio farmers from Tulare. The luncheon will take place on March 30th at 12:00 pm in Tulare. Tickets are $35. Tickets may be purchased at Mechanics Bank, Farm Credit West, or Garton Tractor in Tulare. Or for sponsorships, call Celeste Moore, event chair at 559-280-1481.
