California Ag Network

Tag: American Pistachio Growers

  • American Pistachio Growers Welcomes Five New Board Members

    American Pistachio Growers (APG) welcomes five new board members for 2025. Three new board members were announced at the January board meeting following the tabulation of written ballots in accordance with the written ballot procedures in the APG bylaws. Two other members have been appointed to fill vacancies on the APG board for the coming year.

    The three newly elected board members are Mojgan Amin of Yazd, LP, Brian Ezell of Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., Rebecca Kaser of Avellar-Moore Farms, and Michael Woolf of Mike Woolf Farming Company.

    Two board members were appointed by the approved board process to finish terms of vacated seats. Doenitz Lopez of Ingleby Eriksson, LLC was appointed at the November 2024 board of directors meeting, and Adam Kusmak of Tularosa Pistachio Groves (New Mexico) was appointed during the January 2025 board meeting. They will serve the remaining terms of their respective seats.

    “My team and I are excited to welcome the new board members to American Pistachio Growers,” said Zachary Fraser, President and CEO of American Pistachio Growers. “We look forward to working together to bring the next phase of American Pistachio Growers to new heights and involvement in terms of grower outreach, government affairs and marketing success.”

    Reelected to serve second terms on the APG board were William Bourdeau of Bourdeau Farms, LLC and Paul Huckabay of Keenan Farming Company. At the January 2025 board meeting, APG Board Chair Rich Kreps acknowledged the contributions of five outgoing board members — Ali Amin, Raj Kahlon, Asha Munger, Gary Smith and Jim Zion.

    “These members have served APG’s membership with honor and distinction,” said Kreps. “We are gratified for their volunteer leadership and for helping to guide our organization during their terms of service.”

    American Pistachio Growers is the non-profit trade association responsible for driving global awareness of the quality, nutrition, and brand power of American-grown pistachios. APG represents more than 800 growers and member processors in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

  • Setton Farms Acquires 50 Owl Boxes From Tulare FFA

    Supporting the next generation of farmers in sustainable stewardship of the land is a priority for Setton Farms, the second largest pistachio processor in the United States. That is why they have partnered with the Future Farmers of America Tulare Chapter to support their agricultural programs while distributing 50 student-made owl boxes across their farming operations. Watch this brief interview with Mike Smith and Jared Castle meeting with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network during the owl box exchange to learn more.

  • Ag Processing Labor Contractor Thoughts on New Indoor Heat Illness Rule

    California has experienced an unusually hot Summer this year, which may have had influence in Cal/OSHA’s recent approval of a new regulation “Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment” that went into effect immediately, which impacts indoor workplaces in ag such as nut hulling and processing facilities, wineries, dairies, packinghouses and more. Key indoor temperature/heat index thresholds of 82 & 87 degrees F will mandate certain procedures to ensure the health and safety of employees. Looking into the impact of the new regulation, Matthew Malcolm visited with labor contractor Robert Heredia of H&R Labor, who specializes in meeting the labor needs of food processing facilities in one of the hottest regions in the nation — the Central Valley of California. Watch this brief interview as Heredia shares his thoughts on the recent changes.

    Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • SGMA Progress Hampered by Insufficient Surface Farm Water Allocations

    Farmers and local water districts have worked together endeavoring to rebuild and sustain California’s underground aquifers through groundwater recharge projects among other conservation practices. Much progress has been made in complying with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), but without access to adequate surface water in year’s of plenty such as this, farmers are left struggling to keep their crops alive and productive, prematurely having to tap back into groundwater supplies. Watch this brief interview with pistachio grower and Chairman of the California Water Alliance — William Bourdeau, as he explains. And read about farm water solutions in the September issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • Low, Late Water Allocations Undercut California Ag, Pistachio Grower Aims to Make a Difference

    After years of drought conditions, California has finally had a couple years of great rainfall and snowpack — yet that has not translated to much better water availability for California growers responsible for feeding the world with some of the safest most nutrient-dense crops. With the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) taking effect in the state as well, growers are very concerned for the future of their family operations. Crippled by gov’t regulations and delayed water allocations, watch this brief interview with pistachio grower Rebecca Kaser, who farms in Westlands Water District and aims to make a difference.

    Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • Smaller Pistachio Crop This Year – Can Growers Expect Higher Prices?

    American Pistachio Growers held their first ever Pistachio Industry Insights Day, expanding upon their annual Summer Luncheon from years past. During this well-attended event in Visalia, CA, Jim Zion from Meridian Growers met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss the current state of the pistachio market. As pistachios are in their “off-year” and with weaker chill hours over the winter, growers are expecting a much smaller crop than last season. The big question that’s on everyone’s mind is whether this will translate to a higher pistachio price and where the market is heading. Watch this brief interview with Jim and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.

  • Sneak Preview of First Ever Pistachio Industry Insights Day Coming This Month

    It’s that time of the year as pistachio harvest nears that American Pistachio Growers (APG) gathers its members together at the Visalia Convention Center. But this year, growers are invited to more than just your typical Summer Luncheon. This longtime tradition has been reinvented into an all-day event to support the booming western pistachio industry. APG’s Wes Wilson met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share a sneak preview of what growers can expect in attending the Pistachio Industry Insights Day. Watch this brief interview and be sure to come see Pacific Nut Producer Magazine there as a proud sponsor of this event.

  • Introducing American Pistachio Growers’ New President and Vision

    American Pistachio Growers (APG) has announced a new President & CEO to lead their organization — veteran sports marketing leader Zachary Fraser. Following the Interim services of Joel Nelsen, Fraser has taken the helm with a new vision to expand the influence and consumption of American pistachios around the world.  Watch this brief interview as Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network meets with Fraser and APG Chair Rich Kreps to get to know the new dynamic leadership and vision of the organization.

  • Veteran Sports Marketing Leader Zachary Fraser to Lead American Pistachio Growers

    American Pistachio Growers, the non-profit association responsible for driving global awareness of the quality, nutrition, and brand power of American-grown pistachios, has hired sports-marketing leader Zachary Fraser as the organization’s new President & CEO. Fraser joins APG after four years with LEARFIELD, the influential media and technology company behind many of collegiate sports most influential brands, where he led the company’s Fresno State athletics (lower case) property.

    “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are very excited to welcome Zachary as the new president of American Pistachio Growers,” said APG Board Chair Richard Kreps. “We feel his successful track record as a leader in multiple industries coupled with his passion were just what APG needs at this time. After several years of working with Fraser in his capacity with his previous employer at our annual conference, we are very excited to have him lead our exceptional team in our time of significant growth in the pistachio industry.”

    Fraser enjoyed success at the helm of Fresno State’s LEARFIELD team. As the company responsible for managing traditional and digital media rights, broadcast platforms, and media/sponsorship sales for the Fresno State Bulldogs, his team was recognized for multiple achievements across the entire landscape of collegiate sports-media. Fraser was instrumental in helping Bulldog sports properties win “Property of the Year” among peer athletic departments, following the 2022-23 varsity season. That same year, Fraser was recognized as the “Chairman’s Club” overall winner, among peer vice-presidents and general managers.

    Prior to arriving in California’s Central Valley, Zachary was the founding general manager and managing partner at Pacific Baseball Ventures (PBV). PBV is an investment group which owns and operates summer collegiate baseball teams in Walla Walla, WA (Walla Walla Sweets), and Yakima Valley, WA (Yakima Valley Pippins). Under his stewardship, more than 30 players who were scouted and signed by PBV went on to play Major League Baseball–including Jarren Duran (Boston Red Sox), and Cody Poteet (New York Yankees).

    While working amid the fertile valleys of Southeastern Washington, Fraser gained a significant appreciation for the region’s agricultural marketing initiatives. He also gained valuable non-profit operations and leadership experience, serving as board chair of Visit Walla Walla, as well as leadership positions on the boards of numerous other non-profits.

    “I am humbled and excited to join such a talented and dedicated group of remarkable professionals, who are passionate about serving our 800-plus grower members in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas,” said Fraser. “I wake up every morning excited and grateful to meet with, and learn from, growers, processors, vendors, suppliers and consumers of the best nut in the world. How lucky am I that I get to work alongside some of the best people in the industry to educate and market a product that I am already a huge fan of? Let’s get every consumer eating the most nutrient-dense, protein-packed nut in the world – American-grown pistachios.”

    Fraser looks forward to meeting APG members and the greater pistachio community on July 26th at APG’s annual member luncheon in Visalia. Pacific Nut Producer Magazine Editor Matthew Malcolm recently had the opportunity to meet with him, so stay tuned for a video introduction with Zachary to be released shortly.

    Fraser is fluent in English and French. He and his wife JoLynn have three children, including a son who lives in Ghana, West Africa.

    American Pistachio Growers is the non-profit trade association representing more than 865 growers and member processors in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

  • 5-Year Pistachio Crop Forecast Reveals Tremendous Growth

    At American Pistachio Growers annual Pistachio Industry Conference this year, Bob Klein, Manager of the California Pistachio Research Board, gave his final presentation before retiring with a five-year California pistachio crop-yield forecast.  The numbers were stunning with the tremendous growth of the industry and pistachio acreage expected to begin bearing. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Bob to better understand the analytics and what the industry can expect for 2024 and beyond. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in the May issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.