Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Tag: Almond Board of California

  • New Directors of Almond Board of CA Begin Terms

    The new Board of Directors of the Almond Board of California (ABC) took their seats on Thursday with five voting members elected in 2023 – four of them incumbents – beginning new terms to help guide ABC’s support of one of California’s largest crops.

    Board members, whose terms officially began Aug. 1, also re-elected Alexi Rodriguez as chair and elected Alicia Rockwell as the new vice chair.

    “Our industry continues to endure hard times,” said Rodriguez. “This board understands that intimately, and we have a strong group of individuals who are incredibly committed to doing our part to get beyond our current challenges successfully.”

    The 10-member ABC board has five grower members – three representing independent growers and two representing cooperative growers – and five handler members, also with three independent and two co-op representatives. Some members sit in three-year seats, others in one-year positions.

    The grower representatives elected or re-elected in the 2023 elections are:

    • Paul Ewing, an independent from RPAC, LLC in Los Banos. He was re-elected to a one-year term.
    • Kelli Evans, a co-op grower from Evans Farming in Live Oak, who previously served as an alternate. She was elected to a three-year term.

    The handler representatives were re-elected in all three positions this year. They are:

    • Alexi Rodriguez, an independent handler with Campos Brothers in Caruthers, who was re-elected to a three-year term.
    • Darren Rigg, an independent handler from Minturn Nut Co. Inc. in Le Grand. He was re-elected to a one-year term.
    • Alicia Rockwell, a co-op handler with Blue Diamond Growers from Sacramento, who was re-elected to a three-year term.

    Also, three grower and three handler alternates were elected or re-elected:

    • Katie Staack, an independent grower with Grizzly Nut, LLC from Hughson, was re-elected.
    • Brad Klump, an independent grower with BKI Exports, Inc. in Escalon, was elected for the remaining two years of a previously unfilled three-year term.
    • George Goshgarian Jr., a co-op grower with Goshgarian Farming Co. in Fowler, was elected to an alternate grower position after serving as a voting member and previous vice-chair.
    • Chad DeRose, an independent handler with Famoso Nut Co., LLC in McFarland, was re-elected.

     

    • Ron Fisher, and independent handler with Fisher Nut Co. in Modesto, was re-elected.
      • Dean LaVallee, a co-op handler with Blue Diamond Growers in Sacramento, was also re-elected.

    In addition, Laura Gerhard, a co-op handler with Blue Diamond Growers in Sacramento, was selected by Blue Diamond to serve the final two years in the alternate seat formerly held by the retired Mark Jansen.

    This is the full board:

    VOTING MEMBERS                                                                                      TERM

    Grower #1:            Paul Ewing, RPAC, LLC                                                 1 year

    Grower #2:            Brandon Rebiero, Gold Leaf Farming                            3 years

    Grower #3:            Joe Gardiner, Treehouse California Almonds, LLC       3 years

    Handler #1:           Alexi Rodriguez, Campos Brothers                                3 years

    Handler #2:           Bob Silveira, Vann Family Orchards                              3 years

    Handler #3:           Darren Rigg, Minturn Nut Co. Inc.                                  1 year

    Co-op Grower #1: Kelli Evans, Evans Farming                                            3 years

    Co-op Grower #2: Christine Gemperle, Gemperle Orchards                      3 years

    Co-op Handler #1: Mel Machado, Blue Diamond Growers                          3 years

    Co-op Handler #2: Alicia Rockwell, Blue Diamond Growers                       3 years

    ALTERNATES

    Grower #1:             Katie Staack, Grizzly Nut, LLC

    Grower #2:             Brad Klump, BKI Exports, Inc.

    Grower #3:             Chris Bettencourt, Suvik Farms

    Handler #1:            Ron Fisher, Fisher Nut Company

    Handler #2:            Dexter Long, Hilltop Ranch, Inc.

    Handler #3:            Chad DeRose, Famoso Nut Company, LLC

    Co-op Grower #1:  George Goshgarian Jr., Goshgarian Farming Co.

    Co-op Grower #2:  Kent Stenderup, Stenderup Ag Partners

    Co-op Handler #1: Laura Gerhard, Blue Diamond Growers

    Co-op Handler #2: Dean LaVallee, Blue Diamond Growers

    The ABC board sets policy and approves budgets in major areas, including global market development, production research, public relations and advertising, nutrition research, statistical reporting, quality control and food safety.

    ABC is a Federal Marketing Order dedicated to promoting California almonds to domestic and international audiences through marketing efforts and by funding and promoting studies about almonds’ health benefits, as well as ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and food safety.

    About California Almonds

    California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research, and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, ABC is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and the California Almonds blog.

  • Almond Board of California Directors Announce Clarice Turner as Next CEO

    The Almond Board of California Board of Directors selected Clarice Turner, an experienced global leader in consumer goods, food service and wine and spirits, as the next president and CEO.

    Turner is joining the Almond Board of California (ABC) after most recently serving as president of iconic Napa Valley winery Joseph Phelps Vineyards. She has also held CEO and senior executive positions at Boudin Bakery, Starbucks Coffee Company, YUM! Brands, Papa Murphy’s International and PepsiCo.

    The ABC Board is excited to welcome Clarice to the California almond industry,” said board chair Alexi Rodriguez. “A tremendous amount of thought and effort went into the search process and we couldn’t be more pleased with the result. Clarice brings extensive knowledge and experience that we believe will be a great benefit to the organization and the industry.

    Turner is a ninth generation Californian and has a long history of serving on corporate and non-profit boards including the Culinary Institute of America, Delicato Family Wines, the National Restaurant Association, Washington State University School of Business and San Francisco State University Lam School of Business.

    Along with her former global executive positions, Turner was also an international business major at Fudan University in China and understands the role different nationalities play in trade, business and culture.

    “I am honored to lead the Almond Board of California,” Turner said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to combine my California heritage, roots in generational farming and executive experience to build on the strong foundation established in 1950. I look forward to working collaboratively with the staff, board, growers, handlers and industry stakeholders in the coming years.

    Rodriguez said that in September, Turner will begin working closely with the board, current President and CEO Richard Waycott and the ABC executive team to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months.

    “We are thankful for Richard, not just for his commitment to the industry over the last 21 years, but also for his support during this transition period to make certain Clarice and the organization are set up for success moving forward,” Rodriguez said.

    Waycott informed the board of directors in November 2022 that he planned to step away from his ABC responsibilities at the end of 2023 to pursue other interests.

    About the Almond Board of California

    California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. The Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was established in 1950 and is based in Modesto, CA. For more about the Almond Board or California almonds, visit Almonds.com.

  • USDA Final Forecast Projects Slightly Larger 2023 Almond Crop

    The 2023 California Almond Objective Measurement Report published Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2023 will come in at 2.6 billion meat pounds, 1% percent above last year’s 2.57 billion pounds.

    The estimate is up 4 percent from USDA-NASS’s Subjective Forecast in May and comes after one of the wettest winters on record, limited bee flights because of rain and wind, and a cool spring. USDA’s Forecasted yield is 1,880 pounds per acre, down 20 pounds from 2022 and the lowest since 2009.

    The slight increase comes partly because of larger nut size and despite difficult conditions, USDA-NASS said. “Record level rainfall and unprecedented stormy conditions hindered bee pollination activity in orchards across the state. Cooler than normal temperatures continued through early summer and delayed the maturity of the crop,” the report said.

    “Almond farmers have faced a series of challenges in recent years, and this wet, cool winter and spring created different obstacles after three years of drought. Yet the forecast for a larger crop shows the resiliency of California almond orchards,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California (ABC). “Almond farmers have worked hard while dealing with higher production and financing costs and a bloom with highly compromised bee flight hours. They are very thankful, however, for the abundant rain and snow which vastly improved the water situation, at least for now, and for shipping logistics that continue to improve. The perseverance of California’s almond farmers is admirable as is their commitment to meet future growth in global demand with high quality California almonds.”

    The forecast for the average nut set per tree is 3,953, 3 percent down from 2022. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,004 is 1 percent more than last year. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.67 grams, up 14% percent from the 2022 average weight. The Nonpareil average kernel weight was 1.69 grams, up 9 percent over from last year.

    The 2023 Objective Report is based on actual almond counts using a statistically rigorous methodology. The survey was conducted from May 26 to July 3 and 1,824 trees were sampled in 912 orchards, 32 more orchards than in 2022. USDA-NASS conducts the annual Subjective Forecast, Objective Report and Acreage Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions. — By the Almond Board of California

  • California Grower Concerns for Bees & Monarchs being Listed as Endangered Species

    Native California bees and monarch butterflies may soon be listed as endangered species.  While California farmers, and almond growers in particular, want to take care of and protect these important pollinators, listing them as endangered could prove problematic for farming as we know it. Watch this interview with Josette Lewis from the Almond Board of California as she explains.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • Almond Board Simplifies CASP Process for Growers

    A valuable industry assessment program has been streamlined to make it easier for almond growers to enter and update data. Changes to the CASP program – which now stands for the California Almond Stewardship Platform – were announced in December at The Almond Conference 2022 and came after feedback from some growers about the length of time it often took to fill out the online self-assessment.

    The CASP program was developed by the Almond Board of California over a decade ago as a method for almond growers to share and compare data about their orchards and farming practices. That aggregated information in the self-assessment, in turn, is often used by handlers and others who market California’s multibillion-dollar annual almond crop to educate and reassure consumers that growers are implementing critical practices in areas such as water usage, air quality, soil health, pollinators and carbon recapture.

    The original CASP online self-assessment process included 620 questions, which now have been cut in half after the update.

    “It was really time to restructure it a little bit and put it on a diet,” said Tom Devol, Senior Manager of Field Outreach and Education at the Almond Board of California. “It had gotten a bit heavy. It was taking growers a lot of time to do and was a big commitment.”

    Growers often spent five or six hours responding to the questions and sometimes had to enter the same information more than once. That is no longer the case, Devol said.

    “I just worked with a grower who completed it in an hour and a half, from start to finish,” he said. “Now, we’ve grouped questions, so when you set up an orchard, you never look at those questions again. You put the information in for that orchard – how it was planted, when it was planted, those kinds of questions – and when you reassess in two or three years … you never have to look at that again. Those questions are pre-done.

    “And we did the same thing with the farming operations. So the common practices that you use across the whole farming operation, you really only need to address those questions one time and then in future assessments, they’re already completed for you.”

    Devol said rationale behind CASP has evolved since it was created.

    “When CASP was first envisioned, it was predominantly an education tool,” he explained. “But over time, there’s been a lot more pressure from the market. ‘How are you growing your crops? Are you exhibiting good stewardship? Are you using current practices?’

    “The handlers are the ones facing those questions. The growers aren’t selling the crop directly to the buyer; it’s the handler who’s doing it on their behalf. … By completing your grower self-assessment, you’re assisting your handler in marketing your product.”

    Devol recommends that growers update their information at least every three years.

    “It’s really a continuous improvement program if you think about it. We’re really trying to see where we’ve learned new practices that we’re starting to adopt into the orchard,” he said. “Not many people change their practices every year, but over time, you’re going to pick up a new thing – we’re going to try this, we’re going to change the way we do that.

    “Handlers like to see that data done every year because they’re using the aggregate data to help demonstrate to their buyers what their group of growers are doing. So they have a different motivator.”

    Devol reassured growers that no individual orchard information ever is shared.

    “It’s aggregate data. It’s secure. Nobody can see your data,” he said. “These handlers just get an aggregate group of data about what their growers are doing.”

    Growers who have participated in the past and want to update their data, as well as others who want to enroll in the CASP program, should go to www.almondstewardship.org. On the website, growers can set up an account or ask to have their password sent to them, if they’ve forgotten it.

    Devol said he and the Field Outreach and Education team are available to answer any questions or provide help. They can be reached at fieldoutreach@almondboard.com.

    “We really want you to succeed,” Devol said. “We want it to be simple to use. We don’t want it to be painful for you.” — Article & Image Courtesy of the Almond Board of California

  • California Almonds Take Over Mexico City

    Mexico is one of ten markets in the Almond Board of California’s (ABC) diversified portfolio of countries focused on building global demand for California almonds. ABC marketing initiatives in Mexico began in 2018 and ABC is optimistic about the continued growth potential in the market with consumers looking for healthy food options. Position report numbers for the region strengthens that optimism as shipments to Mexico through May 2023 have increased 9% over the previous crop year.

    During the first two months of 2023 and around National Almond Day efforts, California almonds took to the streets of Mexico by driving two mobile billboard trucks, covered with almond advertising creative, to top locations in Mexico City. “For the first time ever, the board hosted a special event-based activity in this market through a variety of in-person gatherings and by driving interactive mobile billboard trucks around the city”, said Becky Jeffers, ABC manager, North America marketing. The billboard trucks visited nine shopping malls, 20 supermarkets and 15 gyms. At each stop, ABC hosted interactive events like snack workshops, giveaways, and yoga and meditation classes. “This type of activity reinforces the relevancy of almonds to consumers and is a great complement to our year-long advertising and public relations efforts in the Mexico marketplace”, Jeffers added.

    ABC partnered with popular influencers for the special events – which included podcast host Romina Sacre who has over 230K Instagram followers, Soulfood Luz Colsa who has over 630K Instagram followers, and fitness trainer Ceci Aguilera who has over 150K Instagram followers.

    Colsa held a snack workshop showing how to add almonds into tasty foods that Mexican consumers are accustomed to enjoying. Aquilera hosted a fitness bootcamp and Sacre hosted a meditation workshop. Sacre also invited a select few lucky consumers to her podcast recording studio where she recorded an episode about almonds. Each of these influencers also posted on social media about why they love almonds and these special events. Through the different activities and mobile advertising, the campaign reached over 360 million impressions in the Mexico market. — Article & Image Courtesy of the Almond Board of California

  • California Almond Shipments Make Record Comeback

    Following record production years, pandemic and logistical issues slowed California almond shipments considerably, creating record carryover inventory and pricing issues for the industry.  Coming off a shorter crop year in 2022 and what appears to be another short crop in 2023, almond growers are hoping to see prices moving up again.  Watch this brief interview with Almond Board of California President Richard Waycott as he shares details of some record almond shipping months this year that is moving the industry back on track to greater prosperity.

  • USDA Forecasts Lowest CA Almond Crop Per Acre Since 2005

    The 2023 California Almond Subjective Forecast published Friday by the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2023 will come in at 2.50 billion pounds, 3 percent below last year’s 2.57 billion pounds.

    Richard Waycott, President & CEO, Almond Board of California

    Forecasted yield is 1,810 pounds per acre, down 90 pounds from 2022 and the lowest since 2005. “A lower crop estimate was not unexpected considering all that growers dealt with last year and during this year’s bloom,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California (ABC). “The cold, wet weather kept bees in their hives and reduced the hours they could pollinate orchards. In the past three years, growers have faced high costs, shipping issues, drought and more. But the water picture is better, at least for this year, shipping continues at record levels and global demand continues to grow. California’s almond farmers are prepared to meet that global demand.”

    The report said: “Record rainfall and unprecedented stormy conditions impacted pollination. Limited bee flight hours were reported in all growing regions. There were reports of downed trees due to high winds and oversaturated soil. Yields are expected to be the lowest in years, with variation observed across varieties and orchard locations. Colder than normal temperatures continued through March and April, resulting in a delayed crop.”

    The Subjective Forecast is the first of two production reports from USDA-NASS for the coming crop year. It is an estimate based on opinions from a survey conducted from April 19 to May 6 of 500 randomly selected California almond growers. The sample of growers, which changes every year, is spread across regions and different sized operations, and they had the option to report their data by mail, online or phone.

    On July 7, USDA-NASS will release its second production estimate, the 2023 California Almond Objective Report, which is based on actual almond counts in nearly 1,000 orchards using a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield.

    This Subjective Forecast comes two weeks after USDA-NASS released the 2022 California Almond Acreage Report which found total almond acreage had dropped in 2022 to 1.63 million, 1.2 percent down from 1.65 million in 2021. It also estimated 1.38 million bearing acres in 2023, up from 2022’s estimate of 1.35 million bearing acres.

    USDA-NASS conducts the annual Subjective Forecast, Objective Report and Acreage Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions. These reports are the official industry crop estimates.

  • Almond Board of CA 2023 Elections Have Begun

    Voting began Friday, April 21, to select one independent grower position and two independent handler positions on the Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors. Alternate seats for those spots are also open as well as a second grower alternate seat that was not filled in 2022. Voting ends May 25.

    Candidates for the independent grower positions:

    Grower Position #1, Member (1-year term):
    Mallvinder Singh Kahal, Madera, (petitioner)
    Paul Ewing, Los Banos (incumbent)

    Grower Position #1, Alternate:
    Katie Staack, Hughson (incumbent)

    Grower Position #2 Alternate (3-year term**):
    Brad Klump, Escalon, (petitioner)
    Jaime Silva Esteves, Denair (petitioner)
    **2 years remaining on term.

    Candidates for the independent handler positions:

    Handler Position #1, Member (3-year term):
    Alexi Rodriguez, Caruthers (incumbent)

    Handler Position #3, Member (1-year term):
    Darren Rigg, Le Grand (incumbent)

    Handler Position #1, Alternate:
    Ron Fisher, Modesto (incumbent)

    Handler Position #3, Alternate:
    Chad DeRose, McFarland (incumbent)

    “Every vote is important, and it’s equally important to have as much of the industry as possible represented in the voting,” said ABC President and CEO Richard Waycott. “The Board of Directors represents more than 7,600 growers and 100 handlers and guides the work of the Almond Board to help the industry succeed in these continuing complicated times.”

    Learn more about the candidates here.

    The ABC board, made up of five handler and five grower representatives, sets policy and recommends budgets in major areas, including marketing, production research, public relations and advertising, nutrition research, statistical reporting, quality control and food safety.

    Results will be announced June 1 and the new board will start its term Aug. 1.

  • Almond Board Retains Search Firm to Aid 2023 CEO Transition

    The Almond Board of California retained Russell Reynolds Associates, a leading global executive search and leadership advisory firm, as the exclusive search firm to aid the transition to a new president and CEO. Current President and CEO Richard Waycott informed the Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors that after 21 years he plans to step away from his ABC responsibilities at the end of 2023 to pursue other interests.

    An ABC search committee led by Board Chair Alexi Rodriguez retained Russell Reynolds Associates to help in the national CEO search. The firm has more than 50 years of experience working with public, private and nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and around the globe. Individuals interested in applying are invited to submit a curriculum vitae and brief explanation of interest in electronic form to almondboard@russellreynolds.com. Inquiries and nominations should also be sent to that email address.

    “This is an exceptional leadership opportunity for the right executive to serve the more than 7,600 growers and 100-plus handlers who have made almonds one of California’s largest crops,” Rodriguez said. “We are excited to see where our search will lead.”

    About the Almond Board of California

    California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. The Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was established in 1950 and is based in Modesto, CA. For more about the Almond Board or California almonds, visit Almonds.com.