Episode 16: Orchard Experiments and Lessons From a Field Representative With Donnie Hicks

In episode 16 of the Almond Journey podcast visits with almond grower and Hughson Nut Field Representative Donny Hicks. Hicks manages a small 18-acre orchard, which helps him keep a grower’s perspective in everything he does. Hicks shares how he’s offering up his acreage for experiments in areas such as fumigation, pruning, and subsurface irrigation, and talks about his role with Hughson Nut and what he learns from the growers he works with day to day.

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Donny Hicks, almond grower and Hughson Nut Field Representative.
• Explore the different trials being performed on his farm and some of the preliminary results he has observed.
• Discover the benefit Hicks has as a producer and a field representative and how he brings that to his customers.

Contact the Almond Board field outreach team to access more available resources by sending an email to fieldoutreach@almondboard.com

ABC Update

It’s the end of December, which is a great time to take a breath, spend time with family, and reflect on the past year. 2021 has been a challenge for many, but Almond Board chairman and co-owner of Sperry Farms Brian Wahlbrink echoes Hicks’ optimism about the future ahead and delivers holiday greetings to the almond industry.

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.