California Ag Network

Tag: Pacific Nut Producer

  • Four of the Biggest Challenges for California Tree Nut Growers also Bring Opportunities

    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.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition for their industry support.

  • American Pistachio Growers Introduces 2025-26 LeadOn Class

    American Pistachio Growers (APG) recently announced its 15th LeadOn pistachio industry leadership class.  Training motivated individuals with vested interest in the success and future of the U.S. pistachio industry, APG has developed this program to prepare the next generation of pistachio industry leaders.

    Jeff Anderson of Meridian Growers serves as the new Chair of the LeadOn Committee and shared his enthusiasm for the program. “I feel grateful for my new role as Chair,” he said.  “I believe that this course is going to play a more important role for APG moving forward.  Our purpose is to develop the next generation of APG leaders and introduce them to the inner workings of our brand.  Also, the support team is second to none, and I look forward to the future of the program.  I think we have an excellent class this year.”

    Interest in this leadership program has grown tremendously over the years, with the largest class ever having graduated in February 2025.  In order to refine the course and experience, the LeadOn committee determined to make some changes to the program effective this year. “We capped the class at 18 and will remain that size going forward,” Anderson explained.  “We like the smaller and more intimate class size.  Another change is a grading system for each application to make it a little more competitive.  I’m very excited for what’s to come!”

    This year’s LeadOn cohort includes:

    Cody Bennett, Mike Woolf Farming

    Samuel Dircks, Setton Farms

    Nolon Doss, Doss Agricultural Services

    Timarie Hansen, Hansen Ranches & McMarketing Company

    Carlson Herbert, ECO2MIX, Inc.

    Sean Hixson, Western Milling

    Seth Kirk, Seth Kirk Farms

    Cristian Lazcano, Meridian Growers

    Vikram Mann, Diversified Land Management, LLC

    Jonathan Martin, Paragon Personnel, Valley Ag Holdings LLC, Rooted Asset Management

    Esmeralda Miranda, Western Agricultural Processors Association

    Macie Movsesian, Valov Brothers Farms, LP

    Michael Pineda, B4M Land Management

    Aldo Ramirez, Manulife Investment Management

    Silas Rossow, California Ag Solutions

    Hannah Scott, Setton Farms

    Ricardo Soto, Meridian Growers Processing

    Expected to graduate at APG’s 2026 annual Pistachio Industry Conference, this 2025-26 class will meet each month covering topics ranging from pistachio production and processing to marketing, food safety to government relations and advocacy, etc… Learn more about this year’s cohort in the coming issues of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.  The monthly “LeadOn Spotlight” column will highlight each of the class members and their commitment to the future of the pistachio industry, as written by Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm, an alumni of the program who serves on the LeadOn Committee. Subscribe to receive the monthly publication HERE.

  • Economist Shares How California Farmers Should Respond to Economic Uncertainty

    Economic uncertainty can be quite unsettling and can make important business and investment decisions difficult to navigate. Inflating costs, threatening tariffs and a volatile stock market are very concerning, especially in a state like California. World-renowned economist and financial expert Marci Rossell met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network following a presentation she delivered to a group of American Pistachio Growers to address these concerns as they relate specifically to California farmers, whose success rely quite heavily on a healthy export market. Watch this brief interview to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition for their industry support.

  • California Almond Industry Reaches Record Sales with Opportunities for Worldwide Market Growth

    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.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition for their industry support.

  • Safe Food California Conference Returning After Six Year Hiatus

    Food safety professionals in the dried fruit, nut and fresh fruit industries will be gathering in Monterey this June for DFA of California’s Safe Food Conference.  This annual event finally returns after a six-year hiatus.  Watch this video as Hillari Bynum from DFA of California shares more details about the conference with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and what food safety professionals have long awaited.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor  SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition for their industry support.

  • New Study Reveals Eye Health Benefits of Consuming Pistachios

    A new study on the health benefits of pistachios may have consumers ditching their sunglasses and eating pistachios instead for eye protection. A natural ingredient unique to pistachios is responsible for this amazing impact on eye health.  American Pistachio Growers’ Senior Director of Global Nutrition & Marketing Amber Wilson met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share the details of this research and the impact it’s having on consumers worldwide.  Watch this video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition for their industry support.

  • Four Trending Products with American Pistachios that Consumers are Raving about Worldwide

    Pistachios are trending worldwide, not only as a snack, but also as an ingredient. At American Pistachio Growers (APG) annual Pistachio Industry Conference, growers got to taste the success of APG’s recent strategic partnerships. Sampling a high-value Pistachio & Kunafa (Dubai Style) Chocolate made exclusively with American pistachios was one such product everyone enjoyed, and consumers are raving about it worldwide. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with APG’s International Director of Marketing, Suzanne Devereaux, and in-country India representative, Sumit Saran, to highlight these new trending products that are strengthening the global demand for American pistachios. Watch this brief interview and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition for their industry support.

  • Almond Market Concerns Loom, and Not Just Retaliatory Tariffs

    Just as the market for California almonds was beginning to look brighter, concerns for the impact of retaliatory tariffs under President Trump 2.0 have brought a lot of uncertainty to growers that rely so heavily on a healthy export market. Roland Fumasi, the North American Head of RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share Rabobank’s almond market forecast and an additional concern just as threatening to the near-term success of the industry as the looming retaliatory tariffs. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Despite Trade Uncertainty, American Pistachio Growers Continue Global Market Promotions with Nearly $7M in Federal Funding

    U.S. pistachio production volumes continue to grow steadily, with the bulk of consumer growth opportunities in international markets. American Pistachio Growers has had great success in establishing and building demand for U.S. pistachios overseas, and as such, has recently been awarded nearly seven million dollars in federal funding to continue this growth. Over the last couple months though, federal funding freezes, budget cuts, and the threat of retaliatory tariffs in key export countries has agricultural communities deeply concerned.  Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with APG’s VP of Global Marketing Scott Fryer to discuss how APG is navigating these concerns, all the while staying the course in building global demand for American pistachios in new and established markets. Watch this brief interview and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Central Valley Farmer Responds to Initial 2025 Water Allocation

    On February 25, the Central Valley Water Project announced an initial farm water allocation of 35%. This comes as welcome news to farmers that were hampered last year around the same time by an initial allocation of only 15%.  Watch this brief interview with pistachio/carrot grower and Director at Westlands Water District William Bourdeau, as he shares his perspective on the announcement on California Ag Network with Matthew Malcolm.