September/October 2024 - 12

GROWER PROFILE
completed a system to convert all of our waste walnut shell
into green energy with almost no emissions. "
The farm utilizes a private pest control adviser. and
practices integrated pest management.
" Our biggest concern this year is neighbors cutting
corners to save money due to low walnut prices, " Carriere
said. " Many growers have skipped the first-generation
codling moth spray, which could increase pressure later in
the season if the population grows. Heat is also becoming
more and more of a factor, and it is important to keep the
trees well-irrigated to minimize sunburn damage, which can
also attract navel orangeworm navel orangeworm later in
the season. We have planted cover crops in our orchards to
attract beneficial predators, help with nitrogen fixation and
improve water penetration. "
Up ahead
The company's new 250,000-square-foot processing
and storage building, which was completed in 2023, will
accommodate its growth for at least the next 10 years, and
potentially longer.
In the years ahead, Carriere Family Farms will undertake
the significant task of converting many of its older orchards
into new plantings, but Carriere noted that this is a slow and
expensive process.
" We hope to continue to grow our walnut processing
business to hit what we feel is a sweet spot for volume,
between 85 million and 90 million pounds, " he said.
" Pasteurization and retail packaging are on our radar in the
next three years as well. We also recently began processing
inshell pecans and hope to become a resource for local
growers for processing and marketing pecans. "
Its commitment to sustainability and technological
advancement positions the farm to not only meet but exceed
the evolving demands of the global walnut market.
A graduate of the University of Miami, Keith Loria is an
award-winning journalist who has been writing for almost 20
years. View his recent writing at keithloria.contently.com.
                
                  
          
                 
                  
          
     
         
     
         
     
12 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024


http://jhbiotech.com
September/October 2024

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