Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Tag: California farming

  • California Walnut Board Announces Board Election Results

    The California Walnut Board is announcing a new Board of Directors, which has been certified by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The Board of Directors consists of 10 growers and 8 handlers, which include three new individuals, who will serve a two-year term beginning Sept. 1, 2025, and ending Aug. 31, 2027:

    DISTRICT 1

    Grower Member: William D. Carriere, Glenn

    Grower Alternate: Jeff Gallagher, Rio Oso

    Grower Member: Ben Walsh, Orland

    Grower Alternate: Michael Petz, Tracy

    Handler Member: Jack Mariani, Winters

    Handler Alternate: John Aguiar, Winters

    Handler Member: Eric Heidman, Stockton

    Handler Alternate: Dick Wolf, Stockton

    DISTRICT 2

    Grower Member: Brent Barton, Escalon

    Grower Alternate: Daniel Bays, Westley (New)

    Grower Member: Greg Wiersma, Visalia

    Grower Alternate: Benjamin Crane, Merced

    Handler Member: Frank Guerra, Hollister

    Handler Alternate: Brock Middleton, Hughson

    Handler Member: Mike Poindexter, Selma

    Handler Alternate: Aaron Martella, Hughson (New)

    AT LARGE

    Grower Member: Michael Machado, Linden

    Grower Alternate: John Heier, Live Oak (New)

    “These newly elected board members bring valuable experience and fresh perspectives to the table,” said Robert Verloop, executive director of the California Walnut Board. “Importantly, they are not only committed to their own operations, but also to the broader success of the walnut industry. Their leadership will be critical as we work to create new opportunities for growth and ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry through our strategic plan developed in 2023, which aims to make California walnuts craved around the globe.”

    The board certification concludes the election process that began in February when nominations opened for board positions. Growers and Handlers across California received nomination petitions, followed by ballots in mid-April listing eligible candidates for their respective districts and statewide positions.

    The California Walnut Board members will help shape the future of the California walnut industry and guide its ambitious strategic plan, which focuses on six key priorities: product quality, global sales and marketing, innovation, sustainability, goal-oriented production and post-harvest research, and revitalizing the board and commission for industry cohesion.

    About the California Walnut Board

    The California Walnut Board (CWB) represents more than 3,700 California walnut growers and approximately 70 handlers, grown in multi-generational farmers’ family orchards. California walnuts, known for their excellent nutritional value and quality, are shipped around the world all year long, with more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the United States being from California. The CWB, established in 1948, promotes usage of walnuts in the United States through publicity and educational programs. The CWB also provides funding for walnut production, food safety and post-harvest research.

    To explore recipes and learn more about California walnut growers, industry information and health research, visit walnuts.org.

  • New Technology is Helping Nut Growers Spray More Effectively – Especially at Hull Split

    SPONSORED CONTENT

    In California’s Central Valley, timing and precision are everything—especially during Hull Split, the most critical spray window of the season for nut growers. With the pressure on and no room for error, visibility into spray performance can make the difference between a successful season and significant crop losses.

    That’s where Fieldin comes in.

    A Fresno-based company with over a decade of experience serving nut growers, Fieldin has established itself as the gold standard in smart farm operations. With more than 300,000 acres of nut orchards under management, Fieldin’s platform helps growers streamline everything from spraying to mowing and harvesting, delivering actionable insights that improve efficiency and reduce costly mistakes.

    Now, Fieldin is expanding its value with cutting-edge spray monitoring technology, just in time for Hull Split.

    Introducing Remote Flow Monitoring

    Through a new partnership with ARAG and PAS, Fieldin now offers real-time flow monitoring that gives growers precise, in-the-moment visibility into their spray operations. This technology eliminates the guesswork around what was applied and how much, allowing farm managers to make data-driven adjustments on the fly.

    “The Hull Split spray is the most important of the season,” says Iftach Birger, Co-Founder and COO of Fieldin. “And when poor coverage means poor control, the risk of significant losses is real.”

    Research shows that three factors drive Hull Split spray performance: spray speed, GPA (gallons per acre), and canopy size. With Fieldin’s Remote Flow Monitoring, growers gain live visibility into both spray speed and GPA—the two most critical metrics for Hull Split accuracy—without needing to replace existing equipment or disrupt current workflows.

    Real-Time Visibility, Real-World Results

    Many growers rely on maps or assumptions to confirm their sprays. But these can be deceiving. In one case, Fieldin’s coverage maps indicated a block was fully treated—but flow data revealed the spray rate dropped near the end, leaving key sections under-treated. In another case, a 20% drop in application rate went undetected until Fieldin’s flow monitoring flagged it in real time.

    Without this technology, those issues would have gone unnoticed until it was too late, leading to reduced pest control, weakened nut quality, and potentially a second costly pass.

    Fieldin’s solution changes that. With Remote Flow Monitoring, managers can:

    • Verify coverage and GPA targets in real time

    • Streamline the calibration process

    • Identify underperforming machines or crews (e.g., RPM issues or clogged nozzles)

    • Avoid missed applications and unnecessary re-sprays

    • Protect yield, quality, and long-term resistance management

    Easy to Adopt, Built for the Field

    Best of all, the system integrates seamlessly with most sprayers and is quick to install. No major equipment changes are required, and Fieldin’s experienced team handles setup and onboarding to ensure success from day one.

    Though designed with Hull Split in mind, Remote Flow Monitoring delivers value across every spray event—from post-harvest cleanups to nutrient applications—making it a lasting investment in operational excellence.

    “We built this for real-world challenges,” Birger explains. “Growers need control and clarity, not complexity. That’s what we deliver.”

    Special Promotion for Hull Split Season

    To help new customers prepare for the Hull Split window, Fieldin is offering limited-time introductory pricing for its Remote Flow Monitoring solution.

    “This tool pays for itself quickly when you factor in the cost of a missed spray,” Birger says. “We’re here to make sure growers don’t have to take that risk.”

    To learn more or schedule a demo, visit fieldin.com.

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