The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) hosted Statewide Pistachio Day on January 21, 2026. The event drew over 500 participants, including pistachio growers, pest control advisors (PCAs), crop managers, and representatives from related industries. Attendees came primarily from California’s Central Valley and Arizona, with some international participants from Australia and Chile.
This year’s event was organized by Dr. Gurreet Brar, Assistant Professor of Pomology at California State University, Fresno. Dr. Brar has previously served as a UCCE Farm Advisor in Fresno County.
The morning session included presentations on the pistachio market outlook and horticultural topics such as pollination biology, tree training systems, and carbohydrate dynamics. Dr. Phoebe Gordon, UCCE Madera County Farm Advisor, presented her research on internal kernel discoloration. Dr. Mae Culumber shared findings on new tree training systems. Other speakers included Dr. Elizabeth Fichtner from UCCE Tulare County and Drs. Giuia Marino, Georgia Drakakaki, and Louise Ferguson from UC Davis. Stephen Vasquez, Executive Director of the Administrative Committee for Pistachios, gave an industry overview.
The afternoon focused on pest management with presentations by USDA and UC scientists addressing insect pests, diseases, weeds, and roof rat management updates.
There were 33 industry sponsors supporting the event. Program logistics were handled by UC ANR’s Program Support Unit. The UC ANR Pistachio Workgroup acknowledged Jennifer Zimmerman for organizing the event and Maya Maniar for leading the Program Support Unit.