To view the complete gallery of Annual Conference photos, visit APGPower.org.
AMERICAN PISTACHIO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
American pistachio growers, processors, and industry professionals gathered at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, in Palm Desert, California, March 5-7, 2018 for the 11th Annual American Pistachio Industry Conference. This 3-day event was filled with connecting, learning and celebrating American pistachios.
CHECK OUT WHAT OUR SNAPSHOTS CAPTURED DURING OUR INDUSTRY’S BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR.
To view the complete gallery of Annual Conference photos, visit APGPower.org
PAC GOLF Nearly 200 golfers hit the links, at the annual PAC Golf Classic, for a friendly day of golf in support of APG’s government relations programs. Thanks to the generous support of PAC sponsors, volunteers and the pistachio industry, the golf tournament has been going strong for the last 31 years.
F CLASSIC WINNERS
FIRST PLACE
Jason Tackitt, Venesa Rodriquez, Russ Waymire and Tim Ryan
SECOND PLACE
Jacob Sheely, Nis Hansen, Brennon Christopher and Danielle Kusmack
THIRD PLACE
Ben Owens, Frank Casares, Stu Hodgkins and Vince Genco
CLOSET TO THE PIN Danielle Kusmack Brian Leonard
LONGEST DRIVE
Lindsay Noorigian Jake Sheely
FIRST PLACE WINNERS!
STRAIGHTEST DRIVE
Shurene Curti Jason McKee
LONGEST PUTT
Rene Nazarian Sam Weiss
SPEAKERS INFORM, I ADAM ORANDI
APG Board of Directors member and Membership Services Committee Chair, Adam Orandi kicked-off the conference presentations with a warm welcome to all.
RICHARD MATOIAN
APG Executive Director, Richard Matoian, presented a review of the pistachio industry’s growth and gave an update of its current state.
JUDY HIRIGOYEN AND DR. MIKE ROUSSELL APG Vice President of Global Marketing, Judy Hirigoyen, teamed up with guest speaker Dr. Mike Roussell for a powerful trends-watch presentation, and addressing how pistachios will play a key role as a leading protein snack. Topics included the importance of plant-based proteins, snacks as a meal replacement, the awareness of how the food is grown and Judy Hirigoyen Dr. Mike Roussell packaged, NeuroNutrition (foods that help prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s), the growing trend of online grocery shopping, obesity and associated diseases that are on the rise, and the active, aging population. Later, Dr. Roussell presented the findings of two studies that earned pistachios a SUPERFOOD status. One study showed how pistachios help boost brain power and concentration levels at work. A study, conducted at the Paul Bocuse Institute, in France, showed that a daily snack of pistachios adds nutrients, not weight.
MIKE DOHERTY
DR. ZHAOPING LI
Mike Doherty, of Cole and Weber Advertising, spoke about how APG is targeting our consumers through an engagement strategy, using digital marketing.
Dr. Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD spoke about APG’s landmark study findings, which indicated that eating pistachios could help women with gestational diabetes manage their blood sugar level. Read more …
INSPIRE AND AMUSE DENNIS TOOTELIAN
DR. LINDA THOMAS
The results of an economic impact study, presented by Dennis Tootelian, of Tootelian and Associates, reveals that pistachio growers and processors create nearly $3.6 billion in economic output in the state of California, generating jobs and spending across multiple sectors of the state’s economy. Read more …
Dr. Linda Thomas, Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Workforce Development, at West Hills Community College, defined the generations from Baby Boomers to Generation Z and shared tips on how to bridge the communication gap between them.
SHARON RODEN APG Board Chair, Sharon Roden, kicked off the second day with a presentation and review regarding the challenges the industry has faced domestically and abroad with tariffs and trade agreements, and how APG members have banded together to address and overcome these issues. She ended her presentation by thanking all current members for their ongoing support of APG and challenging all pistachio growers, who are not members of APG, to protect their investment and their product’s future by joining APG.
Genaro Gonzales
Haiying Zhang
Rene Yamashiro
RONNIE LOTT Keynote speaker, Ronnie Lott, a first-round pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, played professionally in the NFL for 14 seasons with teams such as the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets, and Kansas City Chiefs. He shared his personal stories about life during his football career and beyond, to inspire others to push through the barriers in order to obtain their goals.
Rebecca Hall
APG Staff: Genaro Gonzales, Digital Content Manager; Haiying Zhang, Director of Asian Markets; Rene Yamashiro, Manager of Nutrition Research and Communications; and Rebecca Hall, Director of Marketing Communications shared highlights of APG global marketing programs including nutrition research, social media, public relations, and much more.
To view the complete gallery of Annual Conference photos, visit APGPower.org
THE MAGNIFICENT ICE & FIRE GALA
APG guests celebrated in style at the unforgettable Ice & Fire Gala, which brought the Annual Conference to a magnificent end. Fire dancers, ice sculptures, red-hot casino-style gambling tables, and a night of dancing provided guests with a phenomenal send off.
LEADON CLASS OF 2018 APG held it’s LeadON graduation ceremony during the Annual Conference. Alison Nagatani, APG’s Leadership Committee Chair, welcomed them into service. Executive Director Richard Matoian presented the 2017 LeadOn graduates with their graduation plaques. To date, a total of 96 LeadOn students have graduated from the program; 21 have served on APG committees and 12 currently serve on APG’s Board of Directors. Gabriella Sandrini, a recent graduate, was elected to this year’s American Pistachio Growers’ Board. Founded in 2011, LeadOn’s mission—prepare volunteers to become the future leaders of American Pistachio Growers—has been maintained. Without the active participation of our growers, APG would not exist. Therefore, we thank and applaud our graduates—both recent graduates and those who will follow in the future.
WELL DONE!
2017 LEADON GRADUATES!
GREG GUERRERO
MEGAN HENRY
JOHN LAKE
KENT NARAGHI
JEFF NICHOLS
AARON SALSEDO
GABRIELLA SANDRINI
FRANK TAMAYO
RENAY WEIS
JOHN WEESNER
CLAYTON WHITEHEAD
NOT SHOWN, ALISSA MALAKAN AND SCOTT SILVA
THANK YOU 2018 PISTACHI TITANIUM Sponsors - $20,000 Contribution
PLATINUM Sponsors - $10,000 Contribution
GOLD Sponsors - $5,000 Contribution
IO CONFERENCE SPONSORS! SILVER Sponsors - $2,500 Contribution
All Crop Insurance
Bank of the West
Beeler Industries Inc.
Cablevey Conveyors
Eriksson LLC/Ingleby USA
Industrial Design & Construction
Pearson Realty
Satake
Seaman Farm Management, Inc.
Mary Roach Insurance Agency/Alliant Zenith Insurance Company
BRONZE Sponsors - $1,000 Contribution
Hoekstra & Associates, Inc.
Pacific Orchard Development, Inc.
Scroggs Consulting LLC
Westside Farm Management
Palogix International USA
Plant Food Systems, Inc.
PATRON Sponsors - $500 Contribution
Bird Gard
Cardinal Professional Products
Madera One-100 LLC
Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Roscoe Moss Company
SAS-Z-Nuts
Magnuson Corporation – CCM Tri-Cal Pistachios
VICAM, A Waters Business
TARGETED Sponsors
Luncheon Sponsors: ARO Pistachios & JKB Energy Welcome Reception Bar Host: Bayer
Production Seminar: Dow AgroSciences
Registration Sponsor: Personal Ag Management
Website Sponsor: Rabobank
FROM FIELD TO CAPITOL HILL American Pistachio Conference attendees experienced a robust panel discussion focused on government, politics and how the American pistachio industry can impact them. Jim Zion, APG Government Policies and Partnerships Committee Chair, started things off by giving an overview of American Pistachio Growers’ government relations activities, before turning the stage over to session moderator, Rob Nash, APG Director of Government Relations. Joining the panel were APG advocates, George Soares and Bob Schramm. Read more ‌
CALIFORNIA WATER BOND OF 2018 Water bond signatures have been submitted for certification. As of March 6, 2018, all the signatures gathered to place a water bond on the November 2018 ballot have been submitted for verification. They should be verified by the end of May, at which point the bond initiative will officially be qualified for the ballot. At the American Pistachio Conference, Dr. Gerald Meral, Water Bond Campaign Director, and Jason Phillips, CEO of Friant Water Authority, gave a presentation to attendees that detailed the backstory to the water bond and an update to the status of the campaign. Both speakers stressed the importance of involvement from the Central Valley and the agriculture community. If you missed the presentation or want more information on the 2018 Water Bond, please visit WaterBond.org.
Rob Nash, APG Director of Government Relations, moderates a panel discussion about government policies at American Pistachio Industry Annual Conference.
APG advocates Bob Schramm and George Soares, and APG Government Policies and Partnerships Committee Chair Jim Zion.
Dr. Gerald Meral, Water Bond Campaign Director, and Jason Phillips, CEO of Friant Water Authority.
APG PISTACHIO PAC OUTREACH AND ACTIVITIES On February 20, 2018, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) visited the Central Valley. APG, along with other agriculture groups from the Valley, hosted a luncheon fundraiser for the Senator in Fresno, California. APG was represented by Jim Zion, APG Government Policies and Partnerships Committee Chair, and Rob Nash, APG Director of Government Relations. Senator Stabenow is the ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee and was once the committee’s chair. During the luncheon, she spoke about the ongoing debate surrounding the Farm Bill and the importance of making sure specialty crops are addressed as a priority. Though it is not always the case with legislators from outside of California, with Senator Stabenow it is clear Central Valley agriculture has an ally in Washington D.C.
APG AND CALIFORNIA LEGISLATORS’ KITCHEN DINNER EVENT As a member of the Agricultural Presidents' Council, American Pistachio Growers participated in the Kitchen Dinner event held in Sacramento on February 20, 2018. Rob Nash, Director of Government Relations, represented APG at the dinner, where 30 California State Legislators were in attendance. The event provided a great opportunity to meet with legislators from all over the state; some from the Central Valley, who are very familiar with the issues facing farmers in California, and some from the more urban parts of the state. For urban legislators, in particular, the event gave agriculture associations, including APG, the opportunity to put a face to the industry and start developing relationships with these policymakers who might not have a full understanding of agriculture in California. The dinner was merely the first step toward building these relationships, and already many of the legislators in attendance have reached out requesting ag tours in the Central Valley.
PISTACHIO GROWERS/PROCESSORS
GENERATE BILLIONS
FOR CALIFORNIA ECONOMY
ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO PISTACHIO GROWERS EMERGE AS IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTORS TO STATE ECONOMIES According to a new economic impact study, pistachio growers and processors create nearly
in economic output in the state of California, generating jobs and spending across multiple sectors of the state’s economy, according to a new economic impact study announced at the 11th Annual Pistachio Industry Conference by American Pistachio Growers. This equates to nearly $9.8 million each day of the year and accounts for more than 22,600 jobs and nearly $1.1 billion in annual labor income. In Arizona, researchers estimated the total economic output of pistachio farming at $31.3 million by state, 303 jobs and $13.3 million in labor income. In New Mexico the total economic output of pistachio farming on that state’s economy is estimated at almost $7.1 million by state, 89 jobs and $3.1 million in labor income. These numbers indicate the vast impact the pistachio industry has on federal, state, and local economies, as well as the communities that foster the industry. Read more …
GROWER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES APG has teamed with other agriculture associations and government agencies in sponsoring grower training sessions on “Heat Illness Prevention” and “Sexual Harassment Prevention.”
Heat Illness Prevention Training Friday, April 13, 2018 Spanish – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm • English – 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm C.P.D.E.S. Portuguese Hall, 172 W. Jefferson Ave., Easton, CA 93706 No Cost to Attend | RSVP Not Required
MORE INFO
Ag Associations and Organizations Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Thursday, April 26, 2018
Spanish – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm • English – 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Fresno County Farm Bureau, 1274 W. Hedges Ave., Fresno, CA 93728 Who Should Attend: Managers, Supervisors and Foremen RSVP REQUIRED: Call (559) 251-8468 or email clehn@niseifarmersleague.com
APG MEMBER
JIM MAXWELL RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD
Jim Maxwell, APG member and CEO of Madera, California-based Agriland Farming Company, received the Plate of Bounty Award at the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start’s Annual Conference on Sunday, March 4. Nominated by the Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAPMC), the award recognized Jim for making a difference in the lives of seasonal farmworkers and their families. “To be honored for what we consider common practice, at Agriland Farming, is humbling,” said Jim. “Giving back and supporting our community while making sure our employees feel like they have a safe, secure and stable workplace, where they are valued and appreciated, has been a foundation for our success.” Read more …
Pistachio Industry Pioneer Turning 95 Longtime American pistachio industry veteran David Fiddyment will celebrate his 95th birthday on April 20. David’s long family history of farming started in 1855, when his greatgrandmother acquired land in California. David was one of the very first to plant pistachios in California. Because pistachios spoiled quickly if not dried soon after picking, David designed an innovative hulling machine that hulls and dries them within minutes after harvest.
APG MEMBERS CORKY AND DOUG ANDERSON NAMED
TULARE FARMERS OF THE YEAR The Kiwanis Club of Tulare presented its 58th Farmer of the Year award to APG members and brothers, Corky and Doug Anderson. Corky and Doug, Tulare's "pioneers of pistachios," are third-generation farmers and were raised near Waukena, outside of Tulare, where their father and grandfather were also farmers. In 1968, Corky created a partnership with Ken Puryear to form Pioneer Nursery, to sell a pistachio rootstock they developed that was resistant to a devastating fungal disease called Verticillium wilt that was killing pistachio trees. In 1982, they created a new combination of rootstock and named it Pioneer Gold. From 1984 to 1989, Corky was the marketing chairman for the California Pistachio Commission. Then he became a member of American Pistachio Growers (formerly known as Western Pistachio Association) in 1989, where he has served in the positions of vice-chair and secretary/treasurer, as well as a member of numerous committees. A tireless advocate for the industry on government relations, tariff and trade, marketing, public relations, board governance and leadership, he has been instrumental in fundraising for the Pistachio Political Action Committee, one of the most successful agricultural PACs. Read more ‌
Doug and Corky Anderson
Happy 95th Birthday David! For those who would like to send birthday wishes to David, send them to his home address: 7136 Firefly Green Lane, Roseville, CA 95678.
APG AROUND TH
AMERICANPISTACHIOS.ORG HAS NEW RESPONSIVE DESIGN APG’s website, AmericanPistachios.org, has been redesigned with a responsive design. With more and more readers preferring to read news online, there has been a distinct audience shift toward mobile browsing (80 percent of visitors viewing APG’s website do so using mobile devices). Responsive design represents the simplest way to reach this audience across multiple devices, and to ensure a seamless user experience. A responsive design is one that reacts to the size of a user’s screen. It optimizes a user’s browsing experience by creating a flexible and responsive web page, optimized for the device accessing it. For a wide range of devices, from desktop computer monitors to mobile phones, responsive design provides ease of reading and navigation without manually resizing, panning, and scrolling.
Visit AmericanPistachios.org from your smartphone, tablet or desktop. Any way you look at it, it’s easy to view.
“I Love American Pistachios” Social Media Blitz in China The use of short videos in social media is a growing trend, and they are especially popular in China. To raise awareness about the benefits of American pistachios for women with gestational diabetes in China, APG created a miniseries, “I Love American Pistachios,” using short videos. The storyline is about a couple who meets, falls in love, marries, gets pregnant and has a healthy baby--all thanks to American pistachios - the perfect gift for love, a healthy pregnancy and a happy family.
HE WORLD
WORLD PISTACHIO DAY IN SPAIN APG celebrated World Pistachio Day, in Spain, with the promotion of their new campaign,“The Snack for Those Who Don’t Snack.” During the month of February, a campaign banner was displayed on a stairway of the underground subway entrance near the Plaza Catalunya Central Station of Barcelona, while four city busses, with a campaign wrap, traveled the main avenues of Barcelona. On World Pistachio Day, February 26, more than 4,700 sample bags of pistachios were given to subway riders, near the stairway. More than 14 million consumers viewed APG’s new campaign “The Snack for Those Who Don’t Snack” in Spain.
CLICK HERE to view the entertaining videos: • “Falling in Love” (couple shares gifts of pistachios) • “Gifts of Healthy Pistachios for a Healthy Pregnancy” • “Pistachios: The Perfect Answer for Pregnant Women” • “Naming Baby”
Get Connected.
Follow APG on all of your favorite social media sites
AmericanPistachios
@PistachioPower
@AmericanPistachios
PistachioPower
9 River Park Place East, Suite 410 Fresno, CA 93720 USA Telephone: (001) 559.475.0435 Facsimile: (001) 559.475.0624 www.AmericanPistachios.org