Almond Journey

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.

Recent Episodes

Episode 87: Food Safety with Michelle Penney

Episode 87: Food Safety with Michelle Penney

September 16, 2025 29:56

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 be consumed by somebody. So, we are feeding the world and we want do that in a way that's safe.” - 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.

Almond Byte, September 2025: India Tax Reduction, EU Deal Details and More

Almond Byte, September 2025: India Tax Reduction, EU Deal Details and More

September 12, 2025 3:32

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.

Episode 86: Pruning and Shaking Equipment with Scott Hermann

Episode 86: Pruning and Shaking Equipment with Scott Hermann

September 2, 2025 31:57

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 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.

Episode 85: Building a Career in Almonds with Chris Chavez

Episode 85: Building a Career in Almonds with Chris Chavez

August 15, 2025 25:11

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. 

Almond Byte, August 2025: Market Access Year in Review

Almond Byte, August 2025: Market Access Year in Review

August 14, 2025 5:09

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.

Episode 84: Moroccan Team Visits California

Episode 84: Moroccan Team Visits California

July 29, 2025 28:21

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.

Almond Byte, July 2025: Morocco Visit, Pakistan Cuts Tariffs and More

Almond Byte, July 2025: Morocco Visit, Pakistan Cuts Tariffs and More

July 25, 2025 4:36

In July's Almond Byte, international trade developments take center stage. A Moroccan delegation visited California in late June, engaging with almond handlers and ABC staff to discuss export solutions that could open new trade opportunities. Meanwhile, Pakistan has slashed almond import tariffs by 50%, the result of years of collaboration between ABC and other stakeholders to boost almond access and demand. Encouraging news also comes from the EU, where import inspections under the Pre-Export Check (PEC) program have returned to below 1%. Finally, almond exporters to China should take note: facility registration renewals through GACC are now open for eligible firms, and timing is critical.

Episode 83: Almond Economics with Brittney Goodrich, Ph.D.

Episode 83: Almond Economics with Brittney Goodrich, Ph.D.

July 11, 2025 31:06

Brittney Goodrich, Ph.D. joined the Journey to discuss the recent almond cost and return studies. Dr. Goodrich is an assistant professor in the department of agricultural and consumer economics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her previous position as a cooperative extension specialist at the University of California, Davis is where she got involved in performing cost and return studies for a variety of crops. Goodrich highlights some of the key findings of the studies performed last year, and what it means to growers, lenders, regulators and others. 

“ Total costs per pound: those increased by anywhere from 47% to 53% between 2019 and 2024.” - Brittney Goodrich, Ph.D.

In today’s episode: 

  • Meet Brittney Goodrich, assistant professor in the department of agricultural and consumer economics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  • Understand the significance of cost and return studies to almond growers, lenders, regulators, policy makers, insurance providers and others.
  • Reflect on the key findings of the most recent cost and return studies
  • Consider the changes in the farm economics of almonds over the past five years since the last studies were conducted

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.

Episode 82: Optimizing Your Irrigation System with Cory Broad

Episode 82: Optimizing Your Irrigation System with Cory Broad

June 19, 2025 30:14

Cory Broad joined the Journey to discuss the latest in irrigation technology and management. Broad is the agronomic sales manager with AvidWater, and a member of the Production Stewardship Workgroup at The Almond Board of California (ABC). In this episode, Broad discusses his work helping growers with irrigation scheduling, technology utilization, agronomic advice, and getting the most out of their irrigation system.

“I think if you ask most growers, what's your number one challenge? It'll be labor and water. It just depends on whether it rained recently or not. And the easy way around labor in a lot of cases is obviously with automation.” - Cory Broad

In Today’s episode:

  • Meet Cory Broad, agronomic sales manager with AvidWater and member of ABC’s Production Stewardship Workgroup
  • Reflect on the evolution of irrigation systems in almonds
  • Explore the opportunities and challenges in implementing automation in irrigation systems
  • Understand the economic and agronomic impacts of optimizing irrigation

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.

Almond Byte, June 2025: China Exporting Renewals, Latest on Tariffs and More

Almond Byte, June 2025: China Exporting Renewals, Latest on Tariffs and More

June 13, 2025 6:15

In the latest Almond Byte, highlights from June's Global Update by the Almond Board of California's Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team include critical renewal steps for almond handlers exporting to China, detailed discussions with Chinese officials to strengthen trade relations, and insights from the ABC's 2025 Environmental Stewardship Tour showcasing sustainable farming practices. Additionally, significant updates on international tariff developments and their potential implications for almond trade were covered, emphasizing ongoing negotiations and legal proceedings affecting tariffs with China, the EU, Canada, and Mexico.