They say every cloud has a silver lining, and perhaps that could be said of the current market dynamics of the California tree nut industry. While the ominous clouds of tariffs, increasing regulatory burdens and limited water availability impact growers ability to farm everyday, there are opportunities that come with each of these challenges. Watch this brief interview as Terrain Ag’s Specialty Crop Analyst Matt Woolf shares these opportunities with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network based on his recent presentation at the annual Convention of the Almond Alliance of California.
The Almond Alliance proudly concluded its 43rd Annual Convention, held April 28 through May 1, 2025, at the iconic Town & Country Resort in San Diego. Under the theme “Making It Happen,” this year’s convention brought together almond industry leaders, innovators, and advocates nationwide to celebrate progress, share insights, and recognize excellence in every corner of the almond community.
A highlight of the convention was the annual awards ceremony, which honored individuals and organizations that exemplify leadership, advocacy, and a commitment to quality across the almond industry.
Junior Almond Advocate Award: Josiah Wenger The Junior Almond Advocate Award celebrates a young leader passionate about agriculture and the almond industry. This year’s honoree, Josiah Wenger, is a 10-year-old student at Hart Ransom Elementary and a proud member of Shilo 4-H. Josiah’s imaginative storytelling earned him the title of 4th-grade winner in the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom’s “Imagine This” story writing contest for his creative submission, “Not JustAnother Nut Story.”
Inspired by his father’s work at an almond huller, Josiah’s story brought the almond industry to life for readers. He particularly enjoyed researching almond facts, crafting a catchy title, and touring his dad’s workplace to gain behind-the-scenes insight into almond processing. The Almond Alliance Board of Directors is honored to recognize Josiah’s talent, curiosity, and advocacy as this year’s Junior Almond Advocate.
Junior Almond Advocate Award Josiah Wenger
Good Manufacturing Practice Audit Awards The Almond Alliance’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) program provides almond-specific food safety guidelines designed to assist hullers, shellers, and processors in meeting regulatory and customer expectations. Through our voluntary, unannounced audits, members showcase their commitment to excellence in food safety.
The following companies successfully completed GMP audits this year and were recognized at the convention:
Processors: Almond Ace Packing, Blue Diamond Growers, California Custom Processing, LLC, Capay Canyon Ranch, Fisher Nut Company, LLC, Golden State Almonds Inc., Grizzly Nut, LLC, Harris Woolf Almonds, Hilltop Ranch, Inc., JSS Almonds, Mariani Nut Company, Montpelier Nut Company, Purity Organics, Riverwest Processing Inc., RPAC, LLC, Stewart & Jasper, Sterilization & Fumigation Services, Treehouse California Almonds, Valley Pride, Vann Family Orchards
Huller/Shellers: Braden Hulling, C.F. Koehnen & Sons, Central Valley Almond Association, Chico Nut Company, Cortez Growers Association, Golden Empire Shelling, Inc., Golden Valley Almond Hulling & Shelling, Inc., Hilltop Ranch, Inc., Kernpareil, Inc., Montpelier Nut Company, Parreira Almond Processing, Paiva Hulling & Shelling, Pohl & Holmes, Inc., Salida Hulling Association, Stewart & Jasper Orchards, Superior Almond Hulling, Treehouse California Almonds
Associate Member of the Year: Chandler Automation The Associate Member of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding partner whose dedication strengthens both the Almond Alliance and the broader industry. This year’s award was presented to Chandler Automation for its exceptional support, technical innovation, and enduring commitment to the almond sector.
Led by Sean Chandler, the company is renowned for exceeding expectations in serving its customers and advancing industry standards. Their contributions to the Almond Alliance and Almond PAC have played a vital role in shaping critical initiatives and propelling the industry forward.
Associate Member of the Year, Sean Chandler of Chandler Automation
Members of the Year: Blake Vann & Katie Staack In an unprecedented year, the Almond Alliance sought experienced leaders to provide stability and guidance. This year’s Member of the Year Award was jointly awarded to Blake Vann and Katie Staack in recognition of their extraordinary service.
Together, they stepped into leadership roles, overseeing CEO responsibilities and navigating the transition to new executive leadership. Their steady hands and clear vision helped ensure continued momentum and unity within the Alliance during a pivotal period.
Almond Alliance Members of the Year Blake Vann and Katie Staack
About the Almond Alliance
Almond Alliance is the leading authority in state and national policy, championing American almond farmers, industry, and community for the continued global growth, innovation, and success of American almonds and agriculture.
Established in 1980, the Almond Alliance is a non-profit trade association with a local and international network of almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers, and allied businesses. The Alliance is dedicated to providing resources and solutions for our members, ensuring industry success and growth opportunities. Learn more at almondalliance.org.
While tariffs and other trade barriers remain a high concern, the California almond industry has been experiencing record sales growth and shipments worldwide. The Almond Board of California (ABC) remains optimistic for both the near and longterm future of the industry, continuing investments in new market development and research on new ways for consumers to enjoy this nutrient-dense product. Watch this video as ABC CEO Clarice Turner provides insight on what almond growers and marketers can anticipate with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network as shared at the recent annual Convention of the Almond Alliance of California.
Interested in planting cover crops down your orchard rows, but tight on funding? Watch this brief interview with Doug Iten from Great Valley Seeds as he explains their recent collaboration with the Almond Alliance of California to provide grant funding for growers through the new Pollinator Alliance. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.
With the bountiful supply of much needed rain and snowpack over the winter and spring, watch this brief interview with Michelle Reimers from Turlock Irrigation District as she shares how they are utilizing it, serving and protecting their farming customers this summer with full water allocations.
Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.
In a panel discussion titled, “Water: What Real, What’s Not, What’s Next” at the Annual Convention of the Almond Alliance of California, Friant Water Authority CEO Jason Phillips shares his views on solutions to California’s water crisis based on the reality of the San Joaquin Valley’s water supply and use.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.
When is it appropriate to fire an employee and how should you go about doing it properly to prevent negative repercussions? At the Annual Convention of the Almond Alliance of California, Stacy Henderson, Almond Alliance’s go-to attorney for ag labor law, shared some key insights every ag employer should know. Watch this brief video with Stacy as she explains.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.
Amidst a threatening drought, groups and individuals are working to find more ways to conserve the precious resource of water, and Turlock Irrigation District has been leading the way for sustainable water management with new technologies and strategies. Watch this brief interview with Michelle Reimers from Turlock Irrigation District as she explains their recent improvements and plans.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
While California agriculture’s current export shipping crisis is going to take a combined effort at multiple levels of government and supply chain leadership to resolve, a panel discussion at the recent convention of the Almond Alliance of California illustrated some positives steps that are being taken to improve the situation. Watch this brief interview with Andrew Hwang from the Port of Oakland to learn about some of these efforts, and read more about it in the June issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
Northern California growers are really feeling the impact of drought this year with record low water allocations if any. Watch this brief interview with grower Blake Vann, who serves on the Glenn Colusa Irrigation District Board as he explains, and read more about it in the next issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
