This show explores how almond growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich is visiting with almond leaders throughout California who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry. Hearing the voices of these industry leaders might spark a connection or idea you can use in your own journey. That’s why we want to feature these stories of innovation, resilience, and community.
In this episode of The Almond Journey Podcast, ABC’s Laura Morin unpacks the significant headwinds facing the U.S. almond market, from declining snack category sales to broader economic pressures reshaping consumer behavior. Morin explains how inflation, shifting priorities and category-wide declines – not just almonds – are challenging domestic demand, and why the path forward will require new strategies to keep almonds relevant and essential. Morin previously joined us on the show last year back in episode 74.
“ Snacks have been growing for such a long time, and then within the last couple years, the entire snack category has been seeing declines. It's a very different phenomenon for what’s been happening in the US and I think it is impacting us.” - Laura Morin
In today’s episode:
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.
In March’s Almond Byte, we break down fast-moving geopolitical and policy developments that could ripple into almond trade flows. We start with the Israel-Iran conflict and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor linking Gulf ports to global markets. We also share a quick roundup of the latest tariff and trade updates, including emerging reciprocal trade frameworks, USMCA joint review preparations, and the Administration’s 2026 trade policy agenda. Finally, we touch on USDA’s reorganization timeline and preview ABC’s April delegation trip to Washington, D.C.
Trade experts Krista Dickson and Lindsay Tello join the Journey to discuss the current trade situation and the outlook for 2026. Dickson is a partner at DTB AgriTrade based in Washington, D.C. She has worked on agricultural trade issues for nearly 25 years. Tello is the new senior advisor for trade policy at The Almond Board of California (ABC), who has an extensive background in trade before joining ABC. They share some trade wins and unpack insights from their session at The Almond Conference which was titled “Global Trade - Keep Your Seatbelts Fastened.”
“ How are we feeling about 2026 for US almond exports? Firstly, I am feeling bullish. I think ABC has done an incredible job of diversification and cultivating, maintaining these relationships of working with everyone.” - Lindsay Tello
In Today’s episode:
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.
Winter in Germany slows everything down — but it also opened the door to a creative opportunity for California Almonds. In this month’s Marketing Bulletin, hear how the Almond Board of California leaned into movement, sustainability, and natural energy to bring almonds to life in unexpected ways. From city streets to digital platforms to the moment of purchase, this campaign shows how a simple idea can keep consumers moving, even in the coldest months.
Almond Board of California (ABC) President and CEO Clarice Turner joins the Journey to discuss the state of the almond industry. She discusses the current economic realities in the almond industry, and the Almond Board’s continued focus on growing overall demand, maintaining a favorable trade environment and maximizing grower value.
“Our total acreage in California has come down in the last four years. We just finished an analysis on global supply… and that supply is coming down over the next five years by about a hundred million pounds. So, it looks like we're reaching equilibrium with supply.”- Clarice Turner
In Today’s episode:
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.
From global trade shows to major tariff and trade developments, ABC’s Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team breaks down what matters most in highlights from their February Global Update. Tune in to this Almond Byte episode for key takeaways on international market access, evolving trade agreements, and why global engagement remains critical for U.S. almonds.
Dr. Elina Lastro Niño joins the Journey to share some of the latest research on honeybees and pollination. Dr. Niño is a professor of Cooperative Extension at UC Davis with a focus on apiculture. She discusses some of the challenges faced by beekeepers, her work on varroa mites and some new research she’s a part of on hive stocking rates for self-compatible varieties.
“Can the self-fertile almond varieties benefit from the bee presence? And what we found was the benefit of having honeybees, even if they only have self-fertile varieties, is great. The yields are significantly increased.” - Dr. Elina Lastro Niño
In Today’s episode:
Learn more about Honey Bee Best Management Practices by visiting the Almond Board of California website.
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.
People from around the industry join the Almond Journey Podcast at The Almond Conference 2025. We asked each of them to share what’s on the top of their minds headed into 2026. In this episode, you’ll hear some highlights from Dan Sonke, Lindsay Tello, Dinesh Bajaj, Laura Morin, Mel Machado, Luke Milliron, Carson Pettit, Tom Devol and Clarice Turner.
In Today’s episode:
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.
The December Almond Byte brings you a global look at trade and market access momentum for almonds, from ABC’s participation in the USDA T.R.U.M.P. Mission to Brussels, to fresh tariff framework agreements across Latin America and Europe. Also hear key updates on Japan’s Pre‑Test Protocol, the early‑December USMCA renewal hearings along with details on ABC’s return to Gulfood in Dubai this January.
Mallvinder Kahal joins the Journey to share some of his unique experiences as an almond grower, processor and handler. Kahal is based in Madera County where he farms and started Atlas Almonds in 2020. Since returning to his family’s farm in 2015, he has expanded the operation and built Atlas Almonds from scratch.
“I think maybe that's the big gap. Really connecting the farmer to the wholesale market to talk about the love and the story that goes into the almonds. I think that's the component that we haven't quite fully mined out yet.” - Mallvinder Kahal
In Today’s episode:
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.