In this episode of Industrial Edge, host Lacey Chandler sits down with Aaron Salsedo from Duarte Nursery at the 2024 Almond Board Conference in Sacramento. Aaron shares his deep-rooted journey through the nut industry—from his family’s almond farms to his role representing one of California’s premier nurseries.

They explore the complex journey of how food gets from the field to your plate, the critical importance of water and land evaluation, and why consistent quality is the backbone of successful processing and marketing.

Key Topics Covered:

• Aaron’s Journey in the Industry: Transitioning from a junior sales rep to a private contractor and consultant for top-tier agricultural companies 00:45 
• The Legacy of Duarte Nursery: Working with the Duarte family and the transition of leadership following John Duarte’s move to Congress 02:35 
• The Lifecycle of a Nut Crop: A step-by-step walkthrough of farming—from water district checks and planting to the 3-7 year wait for cash flow 06:27 
• The Role of the Processor: How factory automation and high-quality equipment (like those from Chandler Automation) help save growers money by increasing efficiency and reducing shrink 09:44 
• Market Trends & Economic Shifts: Why the 2024 almond and pistachio crops are driving market optimism and how supply issues influence global pricing 15:33 
• Customer Relationships in Agriculture: Why being “Johnny on the spot” and providing long-term support is what separates successful nurseries from the rest 26:45 
• The Future of Nut Crops: Insights into the recovery of the walnut and almond markets and what’s next for California growers 28:59 

Connect with Duarte Nursery: Whether you are looking for almonds, pistachios, walnuts, or their newly added avocado lines, visit Duarte Nursery to learn more about their high-quality plants and expert consulting services.

#IndustrialEdge #DuarteNursery #AgTech #AlmondIndustry #Pistachios #CaliforniaFarming #NutProcessing #AgriculturalConsulting #FactoryAutomation #ChandlerAutomation

Video Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Industrial Edge 

00:29 Guest Introduction: Aaron Salsedo 

00:45 Aaron’s Career Path and Family Roots in Farming 

02:35 The History and Mission of Duarte Nursery 

04:22 Consulting and Being a Resource for Growers 

06:27 Explaining the Disconnect: Where Does Your Food Come From? 

09:44 What Happens at the Processor? 

11:52 Global vs. Domestic Marketing for Nut Crops 

13:56 Factors Influencing Crop Earnings and Quality 

15:33 Understanding Market Influence and Global Protein Trends 

18:02 Current Harvest Trends and Market Optimism 

20:29 What Brokers and Buyers Look for in a Processor 

22:39 ROI on Efficiency and Relationship-Based Agriculture 

24:12 Duarte Nursery’s Crop Varieties (Avocados, Pecans, and more) 

25:39 Minimum Volume and Large-Scale Direct Supply 

26:45 The Importance of After-Sales Support and Relationships 

28:59 The State of Nut Crops: Light at the End of the Tunnel 

29:44 Politics and the Future of California Agriculture 

31:02 Closing Remarks