In the October Almond Byte, get the latest global trade updates from ABC’s Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team. Highlights include Turkey’s removal of retaliatory tariffs on almonds — a potential major win for market growth — plus ongoing trade discussions with India, updates from Washington, and insight into how diversification is strengthening export stability worldwide. You’ll also meet new ABC team member Lindsay Tello, joining as Keith Schneller transitions toward retirement, and get a preview of key global trade sessions planned for The Almond Conference, December 10–12 in Sacramento.

Rob Kiss joined the Journey to discuss working as a pest control advisor (PCA), some of the current pest risks facing almond growers, and the importance of working together for industry priorities like research. Kiss recently retired from Bayer Crop Science where he worked as a pest control advisor and customer business advisor. His almond journey started in 1955 when his grandpa planted almonds in Livingston, California. He remembers growing up around those almonds and how they influenced him to eventually pursue a career as a PCA.

“The clock is ticking on how to control navel orangeworm. In addition to that, we have this carpophilus beetle. We've got a daunting task ahead of us, and we all have got to work together.” - Rob Kiss

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Rob Kiss, one of the first licensed pest control advisors in California and recently retired customer business advisor at Bayer Crop Science
• Understand the value of PCA and grower collaborations
• Explore emerging pest dangers and what producers need to be aware of to protect their crop
• Discover the significance of timing of treatments to improve input efficacy and avoid unfavorable outcomes

The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.

ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Michelle Penney joined the Journey to discuss the importance of food safety in the almond industry. Penney comes from a multigenerational farming family and works as the food safety manager at Del Rio Nut Company. In this episode, Penney talks about quality and safety when it comes to almonds, implementing food safety programs, obtaining certifications and collaborating with people across the industry.

“When we're packing these almonds, we're not just putting nuts in a box. We are sending almonds internationally that are going to be consumed by somebody. So, we are feeding the world and we want do that in a safe way.” - Michelle Penney

In today’s episode:

• Meet Michelle Penney, fifth-generation almond grower and food safety manager at Del Rio Nut Company
• Understand the significance of food safety programs and the impact they have on growing the demand for almonds
• Reflect on Penney’s experience with the Almond Leadership Program and her involvement on the Almond Board’s Global Communications Committee.
• Consider the importance of quality and food safety in California almonds and how it continues to drive value

The Almond Journey Podcast is made possible by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.

ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Get the latest on ABC’s global outreach in the September Almond Byte: highlights from China’s International Tree Nuts Conference, India’s big win cutting GST on almonds from 12% to 5%, and movement in U.S.–EU trade talks as a proposed list of goods has been created. See how these shifts can unlock demand, spur innovation, and open doors for California almonds worldwide.

Scott Hermann joined the Journey to discuss the latest in orchard equipment, some of the history behind these machines, and the path toward autonomous equipment in the almond industry. Hermann is the general manager and CEO of TOL incorporated, which manufactures and distributes pruning equipment and their Twin D Shaker throughout North America. Hermann also shares some of his work on the Almond Board of California’s Production Stewardship Workgroup. This interview was another one of the many valuable conversations recorded at the Almond Conference 2024.

“ Maybe they're not ready to go full off-ground (harvesting), but semi off-ground in this level. We see a lot of people now saying, yeah, that works. That makes sense. I can save money and I can get rid of the dust.” - Scott Hermann

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Scott Hermann, the general manager and CEO of TOL incorporated
• Explore the latest in pruning and harvest equipment
• Discover the industry insight Hermann has found and the value he has added to the Almond Board’s Production Stewardship Workgroup

The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.

ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Chris Chavez joined the Journey to share his story of not coming from an agricultural background and thriving in a successful career in the almond industry. Today, Chavez is the director of almond trading at OFI and he reflected on his experiences trading almonds, partnering with a food company to explore regenerative almond production and joining the Almond Board of California’s Environmental Stewardship Workgroup.

“The almond industry in general is a very collaborative environment. Obviously, there are a lot of different handlers, and theoretically, we're all competitors, but really, I think before we're competitors, we're all almond industry members.” - Chris Chavez

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Chris Chavez, the director of almond trading at OFI
• Discover Chavez’s journey into the agricultural industry, specifically in almonds
• Learn about OFI operations and the many industry partners they collaborate with globally
• Understand why Chavez is passionate about the work ABC’s Environmental Stewardship Workgroup is doing

The Almond Journey Podcast is made possible by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.

ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

In this Almond Byte episode, the Almond Board of California’s Global Trade and Regulatory Affairs (GTRA) team takes a look back at the 2024/25 crop year, highlighting progress on key trade and technical fronts. From securing a breakthrough aflatoxin pre-testing protocol for almond exports to Japan, to helping a 50% tariff reduction in Pakistan, ABC’s efforts have expanded market access and strengthened global partnerships. The review also covers new initiatives in Morocco, Turkey, India, and beyond, as well as the recognition of almond quality standards at the UNECE forum and collaborative work with regulators to ensure the continued global movement of California almonds.

In this episode of the Almond Journey Podcast, Julie Adams, vice president of global technical and regulatory affairs at The Almond Board of California (ABC), hosts a few special guests to discuss a recent Moroccan trade mission visit to California. Adams is joined by Jason New, division director of marketing and development at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and Jason Fearneyhough, executive director of the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA). Adams and guests discuss the recent inbound trade mission, synergies between states all looking to expand trade with the African region, and the importance of these in-person visits.

“You have actual independent state departments of agriculture, a regional trade group, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and Businesses coming together is such a wonderful model to get that message across.” - Jason Fearneyhough

In Today’s episode:

• Learn about the inbound Moroccan trade mission to California.
• Hear from Jason New of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture about the significance of this trade relationship and New Mexico’s interest in joining this tour of California
• Gain insights from NASDA’s Ted Mckinney and WUSATA’s Jason Fearneyhough on the importance of cultivating relationships with trade partners and forming public-private partnerships.
• Discover how this trade mission will impact the future of the almond industry.

The Almond Journey Podcast is made possible by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.

ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.