Photos from 2012 American Pistachio Growers Convention

American Pistachio Growers leadership includes Richard Matoian, left, executive director, and Jim Zion, 2012 board chair, center. Also pictured is Zion’s wife, Gloria.

APG Conference attendees from left – all from California: Andrew Howe, Horizon Nut LLC, Tulare; Richard Paslay, Agri-World Cooperative, Madera; and Chuck Nichols, Nichols Farms, Hanford.

Promoting pistachios in Shanghai, China last year are, from left – all from California: Jeremy Blackwell, Pioneer Nursery, Visalia; Zachary Sheely, Sheely Family Farms, Irvine; Noelle Freeman, Miss California; Jim Zion, Meridian Nut Company, Clovis; and Steve Moore, Steve Moore Farms, Fresno.

Pistachio production workshop speakers from left: University of California-Davis farm advisors Blake Sanden (Kern County) and Bob Beede (Kings County); Joel Siegel, USDA-ARS, Parlier; and UC-Davis farm advisor Craig Kallsen (Kern County).

Pistachios are California’s number two nut crop valued at more than $1.16 billion in 2010.