As legislature continues to work on completing a new Farm Bill, specialty crops may reap greater representation and benefits than in any previous Farm Bill. Watch this brief video featuring Philip Karsting from Olsson Frank Weeda as he discusses their priorities for specialty crop ag at a recent conference held by American Pistachio Growers.
Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
World-renowned economist and and financial expert Marci Rossell addressed American Pistachio Growers again this year at their annual conference, this time sharing some key insights on how the boom in AI (artificial intelligence) and inflation/interest-rate trends will impact specialty crop growers in the immediate and near future. Watch her brief interview with Malcolm Media Editor Matthew Malcolm for the inside scoop.
Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
The U.S. pistachio industry continues to set high shipment records in key export markets. Much of this made possible by the unified efforts of American Pistachio Growers (APG) and their marketing campaigns overseas. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with APG’s VP of Global Marketing Scott Fryer to discuss pistachio export market trends and where they plan to market the record crop that is expected this year. Watch this brief interview and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Special thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
Time is running out to apply for funding through American Pistachio Growers’ $5 million grant awarded by the California Department of Food & Agriculture to help growers adopt healthy soils practices in the Golden State. You don’t have to be a member of APG to apply. Watch this brief video as Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm and Carlee Branco from CalG.A.P. discuss details of the grant and application process.
Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
At the annual Pistachio Industry Conference held by American Pistachio Growers (APG) in Monterey this year, Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Joel Nelsen, Interim President of APG, for a video introduction to the industry. Watch this brief interview as he also discusses his priorities with APG and its direction as the pistachio industry continues to grow.
Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
Rich Kreps has just been announced as the new American Pistachio Growers Chairman of the Board. Watch this brief interview to learn more about Rich and what to expect at the 2024 American Pistachio Growers annual conference coming soon to Monterey, including some special keynote speakers. Learn more and register to attend the conference HERE.
American Pistachio Growers (APG) has a new Vice President of Global Marketing. Watch this brief interview introducing Scott Fryer to the pistachio industry, and come hear from him at their Pistachio Industry Conference, Feb. 26-28th to see what APG is doing to build demand for American grown pistachios.
American Pistachio Growers (APG) has been awarded a $5 million grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to help growers adopt healthy soils practices in the Golden State. The grant is a part of the California Healthy Soils Initiative, a collaboration of state agencies and departments that promotes the development of healthy soils on California’s farmlands and ranchlands.
The grant to APG is among 14 grants funded through the CDFA Healthy Soils Block Grant Pilot Program, which awarded $62 million in soils block grants in 2023 to various organizations. The program will fund projects for three years, with a limit of $200,000 per project over the lifetime of the grant. The objective is to better connect farmers and ranchers with programs that encourage and incentivize the implementation of management practices that sequester carbon, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases, and improve overall soil health.
“As the non-profit trade association for the pistachio industry, American Pistachio Growers is uniquely positioned to assist growers in implementing and managing various Healthy Soils Block Grant qualified projects,” said Wes Wilson, APG Director of Member Services and Communications. “We look forward to connecting growers with these valuable programs that will not only improve the overall health of our California soils, but have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester carbon, all while increasing yields and reducing traditional inputs.”
The agreement with the CDFA Office of Environ mental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) was executed on December 5, 2023, with grower applications opening January 1, 2024. APG anticipates funding more than 30 projects, with special consideration given to growers who qualify as Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers or have farms of 500 acres or less.
APG will conduct outreach and accept applications from growers in Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera and Merced counties. Under the program, qualifying practices include compost application, cover crop planting and management, mulching, hedgerow planting, nutrient management that results in a 15% or greater reduction in fertilizer application, residue and tillage management, and prescribed grazing.
“Our pistachio growers are true innovators and conservationists, and this grant will bring even greater awareness to the importance of healthy soils in our pistachio orchards,” added Wilson. “It’s a benefit not only for growers but also for all Californians.”
Growers who have questions or need additional information can contact Wilson at (559) 289-9375, wwilson@americanpistachios.org, or Carlee Branco at (559) 410-7482, cbranco@americanpistachios.org.
American Pistachio Growers is the non-profit trade association representing more than 865 growers and member processors in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Scott Fryer, with more than a decade of experience in the food marketing sector, has joined American Pistachio Growers as Vice President of Global Marketing. Fryer will lead APG’s initiatives to expand consumption of American-grown pistachios in the U.S. and abroad.
Before joining APG, Fryer served five years as Marketing Innovation Director for Sun-Maid Growers in Fresno where he directed the innovation and base business marketing efforts. He brings to APG a strong track record of successfully marketing an array of products. For seven years in his prior career at WhiteWave Foods in Broomfield, CO, he expanded several businesses including International Delight Coffee Creamer, Stok Cold Brew Coffee, and So Delicious Dairy Free.
“I am excited to join American Pistachio Growers and help drive demand for pistachios across the world,” Fryer said. “American pistachios are an incredibly heathy and nutritious snack, and if we can make consumers aware of the benefits, I have no doubt that they will love them as much as my family and I do.”
Richard Matoian, APG President, said the addition of Fryer to the APG team is timely as the pistachio industry is coming off a successful 2023 harvest season and growers and processors are eyeing increased pistachio crops looming in the future.
“We welcome Scott to the APG family and look forward to his contributions to the pistachio industry,” said Matoian. “Our industry has incredible opportunities to expand consumption of pistachios in the years ahead, especially in overseas markets. Scott will play a pivotal role in helping to fuel demand in our key markets.”
Fryer earned a B.A. at Brigham Young University and an MBA from Purdue University’s Daniels School of Business. Scott and his wife, Elly, have four children. Among his off-duty pursuits are travel, sports and enjoying the outdoors with his family.
American Pistachio Growers is the non-profit trade association representing more than 865 growers and member processors in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Internal Kernel Discoloration (IKD) is a recent cosmetic concern discovered in the Golden and Lost Hills varieties of pistachios, which now make up about half of the total planted acreage of California pistachios. While IKD is only noticeable inside the kernel and does not alter the flavor of the nut and is of no food safety concern, USDA Specialty Crops Inspection has indicated that they intend to consider this as a defect under the voluntary USDA Grades and Standards for pistachios and would score it as “damage”. The industry strongly disagrees with USDA on this as it would cause unnecessary and costly problems should they choose to move forward with this. Watch this brief interview with Bob Klein from the California Pistachio Research Board to learn more.
Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.