Association President/CEO Isom Delivers Keynote Address
This past week, the CSU Fresno Department of Industrial Technology held their Annual Spring Banquet to highlight the department’s activities and recognize graduating students of both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Association President/CEO Roger A. Isom gave the keynote address urging students to “Write their own success story”, which just so happens to be the message presented front and center on home page of the Fresno State University website. Over 100 people attended the event, where several students were recognized for their academic excellence. One of the Association’s own members, Mallvinder Karal of Atlas Almonds, was recognized for his work as a part time instructor teaching the course on tree nut processing with the WTNA Tree Nut Processing Laboratory at Fresno State. In his speech, Isom highlighted the many students now working in the California tree nut industry that have graduated from the CSU Fresno Industrial Technology Program. He encouraged students stating “opportunities abound in the tree nut industry for students just like you. You’ve been given a golden opportunity to get a high-quality education right here in the breadbasket of the world and our industry needs you. Now is truly the time to “Write your own success story!”
Pre-Harvest Water Workshop Series Continues – April 17 in Winters
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Madera for the kickoff of our Pre-Harvest Water Assessment Workshop series! It was a successful start, and we appreciate the engagement and thoughtful questions from attendees.
A special thank-you to The Hulling Company for graciously hosting our first workshop!
As a reminder, this workshop series is designed to support growers in understanding and implementing the new pre-harvest water assessment requirements under the Produce Safety Rule. Compliance deadlines are now in effect for large farms (more than $500,000 in annual produce sales), with small ($250,000–$500,000) and very small farms phased in over the next two years. It’s important that growers are well-prepared to meet these requirements during on-farm inspections.
Next up:
Winters – Wednesday, April 17
There’s still time to register! These free, in-person workshops offer valuable insight from CDFA inspectors and UCANR staff, including a live Q&A tailored to your operation. This is a great opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge on a requirement that can be complex to navigate. RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the exact location.
April 17 – Winters
April 28 –Hanford
April 29 – Wasco
April 30 – Manteca
May 29 –Chico
Refer to the flyer for additional details.Let’s keep the momentum going, please feel free to share this opportunity with growers in your network!
Waste Diversion Reporting Legislation Clears First Hurdle
Many of our member huller or processor facilities have been required over the past 2 to 3 years to register with their respective county as a Tier 1 commercial edible food generator. Facilities subject to this regulation must report how much of their waste goes to a landfill. Since tree nut facilities utilize every aspect of their products and byproducts, this regulation has never made any sense and has caused an undue burden on our members. AB 1046 carried by Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains would provide a very narrow exemption for ag processing facilities that do not send waste to a landfill from being subject to the food waste diversion reporting regulations promulgated by CalRecycle and administered by the counties. This week, AB 1046 was up before the Assembly Natural Resources committee and Association President/CEO Roger A. Isom was the lead witness to testify in support of the bill. Isom stated “our tree nut hulling and processing operations utilize every aspect of our products and byproducts. Nothing goes to a landfill, and providing this very narrow exemption would alleviate one of the many burdens facing our industry.” AB 1046 passed out of Assembly Natural Resources by a 14 to 0 vote. We still have a long way to get it to the Governor’s Desk, but this is a very encouraging sign.
WTNA and CDFA Kick Off Pre-harvest Water Assessment Regional Workshops
This past week the Western Tree Nut Association (WTNA) in conjunction with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) conducted the first in a series of Pre-Harvest Water Assessment Regional Workshops for Tree Nut Growers. These workshops are designed to ensure tree nut growers are prepared for the Food safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the Produce Safety Rule or PSR Agricultural Water requirements which will be in affect on April 7th, 2025. WTNA President/CEO Roger A. Isom opened the workshop by thanking attendees for being there and recognized CDFA for participating in these events for their continued partnership with the tree nut industry. Presenting on behalf of CDFA was Angela Terrazzas, Senior Environmental Scientist and Produce Safety Rule Specialist, as well as Briana Russell, PSP Standardization and Training Specialist with the Produce Safety Program. CDFA provided an overview and recommendations on the pre-harvest water assessment and how to tailor it to your operations. The CDFA Representatives also discussed the post-harvest water requirements, which are now enforceable. WTNA Assistant Vice President Priscilla Rodriguez wrapped the workshop by informing participants of the WTNA’s efforts and that WTNA would be releasing pre-harvest water assessment template for tree nut operations very soon. Stay tuned!
WTNA Bakersfield Membership Mixer - April 9th
Western Tree Nut Association staff and Board Members will be hosting you at Luigi’s in Bakersfield on April 9th from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Our mixer events are a great opportunity for Members and Associates to get together and enjoy company, good drinks and appetizers. Due to limited space, you must RSVP to attend. If you are interested in attending or sponsoring, please reach out to Esmeralda Miranda at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (559) 455-9272.