Almond Journey

Almond Journey
  • 5.0 (13)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

  1. Marketing Bulletin: Almond Board’s Data-Driven Strategy Sparks Innovation in China

    NOV 10

    Marketing Bulletin: Almond Board’s Data-Driven Strategy Sparks Innovation in China

    California almonds are making waves in China’s healthy snacking revolution, thanks to a dynamic partnership with Tmall — the country’s largest e-commerce platform. By leveraging the power of key opinion leaders (KOLs) and live-streamed shopping events, the Almond Board of California has driven almond awareness and sales to new heights. But the strategy is evolving, it’s no longer just about selling almonds, but also about inspiring innovation and shaping the future of almond products in China.   With Tmall’s deep data insights, the Almond Board is helping Chinese brands discover new ways to use almonds, from beauty snacks and functional beverages to bakery items and savory treats. The launch of an almond innovation white paper has provided manufacturers with a roadmap for product development, motivating the industry to reimagine almonds as a versatile, premium ingredient. Discover how California almonds are positioned at the heart of China’s next generation of healthy products.

    6 min

  2. NOV 5

    Episode 89: The Economics of Stewardship with Kabir Tumber

    Kabir Tumber joined the Journey to discuss his background in economics and retail, and how that informs him in his current role in supply chain strategy at Blue Diamond Growers. Tumber grew up on a family farm in Yuba City where his family grew peaches, walnuts and prunes. After earning a bachelor’s and master's in economics from UC Davis, he worked as a consultant at the intersection of agriculture, water and economics. “I think the best transfer of knowledge is amongst the grower community. Hearing from those early adopters of, ‘Hey, this is my experience, and this is why I continue to do it.’ That's what I try to support or help facilitate in my role.” - Kabir Tumber In Today’s episode: Meet Kabir Tumber, the senior manager of membership development and sustainable agriculture at Blue Diamond GrowersDiscover the many macro and micro trends that are taken into account to determine what products are the best fit for grocery shelves and consumersExplore the nuance of incorporating sustainability not only into farming practices but into marketing opportunities 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.

    24 min
  3. Almond Byte, October 2025: Tariff Removal in Turkey, Trade and Tariff Updates and More

    OCT 15

    Almond Byte, October 2025: Tariff Removal in Turkey, Trade and Tariff Updates and More

    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.

    5 min

  4. OCT 10

    Episode 88: 50 Years as a Pest Control Advisor with Rob Kiss

    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 ScienceUnderstand the value of PCA and grower collaborationsExplore emerging pest dangers and what producers need to be aware of to protect their cropDiscover 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.

    27 min

  5. SEP 16

    Episode 87: Food Safety with Michelle Penney

    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 CompanyUnderstand the significance of food safety programs and the impact they have on growing the demand for almondsReflect 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.

    30 min
  6. Almond Byte, September 2025: India Tax Reduction, EU Deal Details and More

    SEP 12

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

    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.

    4 min

  7. SEP 2

    Episode 86: Pruning and Shaking Equipment with Scott Hermann

    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 IncorporatedExplore the latest in pruning and harvest equipmentDiscover 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.

    32 min

  8. AUG 15

    Episode 85: Building a Career in Almonds with Chris Chavez

    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.

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Almond Journey
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    147
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Almond Journey
  • Show Website
    Almond Journey

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