Rephonic
Artwork for Growing the Valley
Naval Orangeworm
California
Pecans
Monterey Almond
Orchard Management
Almond Industry
Pistachio Bloom
Agriculture
Integrated Pest Management
Pistachio
Carpophilus Truncatus
Walnut Irrigation
Soil Health
Mating Disruption
Sanitation Practices
Aggregate Stability
Climate Change
Irrigation
Tree Stress Management
Soil Microbiome

This is a podcast that goes over new research and basic information about growing orchard crops in the Central Valley of California

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes101Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceGovernmentNatural Sciences

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Artwork for Growing the Valley

Latest Episodes

The pistachio hull is critical for protecting the kernel. Insect pests can’t get through it until it begins to break down. However, it is known that hull integrity can change across years - some years hulls stay intact until harvest, and in other yea... more

Phoebe sits down with Elizabeth Fichtner to discuss the biology of pistachio bloom, how it impacts orchard design, and why picking the correct male pollinator is so important. She also goes over the research on artificial pollination of pistachio and... more

One concern about growing cover crops is that they might compete with the orchard for water. This is an additional concern if you let cover crops continue to grow after bloom. Kosana Suvocarev (UC Davis) has been looking into this and has found some ... more

Phoebe and Sam Sandovol Solis discuss the water outlook for 2026. They also discuss some things that everyone can do to maximize water infiltration. If you are interested in finding out more about groundwater recharge, you should check to see if your... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kosana Suvocarev
Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension and a Specialist in Biometeorology
Episode: Water use in regenerative and cover cropped orchards
Reid Robinson
CEO of Sierra Gold Nursery
Sierra Gold Nursery
Episode: Self-Fertile Nonpareil: Sierra Gold (2025)
Tom Burchell
Owner of Burchell Nursery
Burchell Nursery
Episode: Self-Fertile Nonpareil: Burchell (2025)
Dr. Themis Michailides
Plant Pathologist at the Kearney Ag Center in Parlier near Fresno
University of California, Davis
Episode: Walnut Mold (2025)
Dr. Tom Gradziel
Geneticist and plant breeder, professor of plant sciences
University of California, Davis
Episode: Almond Environmental Bud Failure / Monterey Leafing Failure (2025)
Amelie Gaudin
Associate Professor of Agroecology at UC Davis
University of California, Davis
Episode: What is regenerative agriculture? With Amelie Gaudin
Elizabeth Fichtner
Orchard Advisor for Tulare County
University of California
Episode: Walnut scale with Elizabeth Fichtner
Franz Niederholzer
Farm Advisor for Orchards based in Colusa, also covering Sutter and Yuba.
University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Episode: Prunes: From Buds through Fruit Thinning
Jaime Ott
Orchard Systems Advisor based in Tehama, also covering Butte, Glenn, and Shasta.
University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Episode: Prunes: From Buds through Fruit Thinning

Hosts

Luke Miller
Host and Orchard Systems Advisor for Butte, Tehama, and Glenn Counties, with expertise in almond production and sustainable agriculture practices.
Phoebe Gordon
Host and Orchard Systems Advisor for Madera and Merced Counties, focusing on orchard management and pest strategies.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 46 ratings
  • Merry Christmas

    Thank you guys for hosting!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Grimes,ca
    United States3 years ago
  • Request from a big fan

    I love this podcast! The hosts bring a deep expertise on the topic at hand but in a very user friendly way. I have a request. I have a family-run farm where we harvest ginkgo nuts. There is very little available info out there on ginkgo trees. I would LOVE to hear a special episode on this up-and-coming component of the California agricultural scene!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GingkosRock
    United States8 years ago
  • Very interesting and well produced.

    Even though I only took bio a long time ago this podcast is easy to understand and very educational. I appreciate learning about California crops. Also Luke has such a nice and relaxing voice; definitely rivals the voices of those on NPR.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    htwin2
    United States8 years ago
  • Almonds Rock!

    Can’t wait for the next installment!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    USCSNL
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many request specific topics, highlighting the show's engagement and responsiveness to audience interests.
Listeners appreciate the deep expertise and user-friendly approach to complex agricultural topics.
The podcast is noted for its well-produced content that remains accessible to those outside the agricultural field.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Water use in regenerative and cover cropped orchards
Q: What were you finding about yields?
The water use efficiency metric we used suggested the most efficient producer was the bare soil orchard, but factors like orchard age complicated direct comparisons.
Water use in regenerative and cover cropped orchards
Q: What did you find?
We did not find evidence of cover cropping increasing water use, and in one case, the cover cropped orchard used significantly less water than the bare soil orchard.
Water use in regenerative and cover cropped orchards
Q: What sort of measurements are you taking at this site?
We are measuring evapotranspiration using eddy covariance stations, soil moisture down to 40 inches, and examining the contribution of cover crops to soil moisture and infiltration.
Pistachio pollination biology and artificial pollination
Q: Can you just talk a little bit about pollen collection and some issues associated with that and pollen release?
Pollen viability is essential, as non-viable pollen can cause poor pollination results, similar to the effects of dust.
Pistachio pollination biology and artificial pollination
Q: What about the female flowers? I know some female flowers actually tend to have a really short period of time when they're actually receptive to pollination.
A given stigma on female flowers is only receptive for up to about two days.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Growing the Valley

What is Growing the Valley about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast focuses on the latest research and developments in growing orchard crops, particularly in California's Central Valley. Topics frequently discussed include irrigation techniques, pest management strategies, crop health, and the impact of environmental conditions on various tree crops, especially almonds and prunes. The hosts aim to educate listeners about sustainable agricultural practices and the science behind orchard management, making complex subjects accessible to a broader audience.

Listeners can expect expert insights from a range of guests, including agricultural advisors, geneticists, and researchers. Notably, the conversations often emphasize adaptation strategies in the face of climate change and how evolving technol... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Growing the Valley?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Growing the Valley:

1. Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
2. Freakonomics Radio
3. The Dan Bongino Show
4. TRASHFUTURE

How many episodes of Growing the Valley are there?

Growing the Valley launched 8 years ago and published 101 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Growing the Valley?

Recent guests on Growing the Valley include:

1. Kosana Suvocarev
2. Reid Robinson
3. Tom Burchell
4. Dr. Themis Michailides
5. Dr. Tom Gradziel
6. Amelie Gaudin
7. Elizabeth Fichtner
8. Franz Niederholzer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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