In 1997, 80 million pounds of pistachios were produced in California, and as that number continues to grow, the pistachio industry offers great opportunity to those with pistachio growers education and training. Also, many pistachio growers are nearing retirement age, leaving the field wide open for the next generation.
But it takes more than a mere interest in growing to make a successful career of running pistachio farms. Ideally, your training will include all of the following:
1. A formal education in agriculture, with a focus on growing pistachios
2. Membership in organizations for pistachio growers
3. Ongoing education from periodicals and books designed for your growing pistachio company

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Participate in organizations for those growing pistachio nuts

Professional organizations do much more than provide business advice and networking. A good organization also provides learning opportunities in the way of journals, books, CDs and DVDs, workshops and seminars. There are a number of associations appropriate for those selling pistachios. Seek some that are specific to your area of interest.

I recommend: The Administrative Committee for Pistachios offers a variety of resources for growers, including manuals, industry events and handling guides. The California Pistachio Board works with California pistachio growers, handlers and distributors on quality issues.

Continue your education through publications for pistachio farms

There are a number of publications for those who grow wholesale and bulk pistachios. Find several publications targeting your field of interest in order to keep up with the latest news, trends and innovations.

I recommend: The Western Pistachio Association seeks to educate growers and consumers about the pistachio industry; to see a sample of their newsletter, click on one of the newsletter links in the left-hand menu. "Nut Grower's Guide: The Complete Handbook for Producers and Hobbyists" by Jennifer Wilkinson is the bible of the industry; the book is available through TextbooksRus.com.

Secure a formal education for those wishing to form their own pistachio wholesale company

Whether you want to run a pistachio tree nursery or farm, a good education gives you a firm leg up in this industry. An agriculture major with a business minor is the ideal beginning to a long career in a pistachio nursery or farm.

I recommend: Resume Miners offers a list of U.S. colleges offering degrees in agriculture, as does Universities.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While almost all pistachio growers are in California, small pistachio farms may also be found New Mexico, Arizona and western Texas.

Pistachios are one of the most well-known and well-loved nuts on the market. Pistachio growers dot the warm, dry climates of the US, offering an array of pistachio farms, offering pistachio wholesale quantities and special orders. Pistachios are a perfect partner to chocolate, cookie bases, pastries of all kinds and marshmallow creme as they offer rich flavor, texture and a natural sweetness.

Choose from raw, organic, bulk, or wholesale pistachios in multiple states of processing including shelled, roasted, salted or just raw. To find the best pistachio company and to purchase the pistachios most popular with your customers, you should:

1. Survey your customers about the types of pistachio candies or other food containing pistachios that they prefer in order to help you determine which ones to offer in your food business.

2. Purchase pistachios from a reputable pistachio nursery that offers quick service and quality guarantees.

3. Ask for wholesale pistachios, shipping discounts and other deals to save money and in turn pass the savings on to your customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide on the types of pistachios you need for your recipes or treats for gourmet gifts

Before looking for a pistachio grower, you should narrow down the varieties of pistachio you need. If you want to leave your options open, find a pistachio producer with many offerings and a quick shipping policy to get your custom orders to you quickly. If you have the room or a greenhouse, consider growing pistachio nuts yourself. Growing pistachios gives you the freedom to control the quality and characteristics of the nuts you produce and in turn use in your products.

I recommend: Attend one of the three California Pistachio industry events put on by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios (a group committed to California pistachio growers) to meet pistachio growers and find out the latest in pistachio processing and growing. For detailed information regarding the natural progression of the pistachio tree and how to get the best nuts, check out the California Rare Fruit Growers site.

Purchase pistachios or pistachio trees from a reputable pistachio grower

When looking for a pistachio supplier, find one with a large variety of pistachios that are fresh picked. You want a grower who has been in the business awhile and can offer solid references. If you are looking for custom pistachios, find organic pistachio growers offering a large variety of pistachio breeds and processing applications such as roasting and shelling.

I recommend: High Mesa, Inc. sells pistachios in a variety of bulk sizes fresh from the farm to you. They offer a variety of processes, including shelled and raw. Fistiki Farms, located in the high desert, is an Arizona pistachio company that offers a variety of popular flavors and custom packaging.

Ask for wholesale pistachios, shipping discounts and other deals to save money

Don't be afraid to ask for discounts or purchase through a wholesale pistachio grower. You should be entitled to discounts if the pistachios are not fresh, if it's the end of the season, if you are purchasing a large quantity or if you offer to pick up the pistachios instead of have them delivered.

I recommend: Bulk Foods offers California pistachios and pistachio meats available in bulk quantities that can be ordered online and shipped directly to your shop. Nut Trader is a company specializing in wholesale nuts of many varieties, including pistachios.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To save even more money, invest in a pistachio shelling machine so you can process your own pistachios.

The pistachio is a small tree that is originally from the mountainous regions of the Middle East. Pistachio trees are planted in orchards and require at least seven years to produce significant numbers of nuts, with the maximum production occurring at about 20 years of age. Pistachio trees are harvested every other year and are usually pruned to make it easier to harvest the nuts. Pistachio nuts are highly nutritious and may be eaten fresh or roasted. They are also frequently used in ice cream or as garnishes with candy, salads and canned fruit.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pistacia vera

Pistacia vera is the scientific name for the specific pistachio tree that is cultivated as a food crop. The Pistacia genus have several other species that produce less palatable nuts.

I recommend: California Rare Fruit Growers offers a scientific description of the pistachio tree and also briefly discusses the other trees in this genus.

Chinese pistachio

The Chinese pistachio (Pistacia chinensis) is a tree that is highly sought in southern gardens for its beautiful fall foliage. It can tolerate a wide range of soils and is highly resistant to drought.

I recommend: BackyardGardener.com has a brief description of the Chinese pistachio, and provides extensive information on growing this tree.

Pistachio oil

Pistachio oil is a more unusual type of oil that goes well with salads that contain citrus fruits and spicy green vegetables. It is also commonly used in many Middle Eastern dishes.

I recommend: The Nibble provides an extensive glossary of many types of cooking oils and their uses, including pistachio oil.

Pistachio butter

The high fat content of pistachio nuts allows them to be made into a type of butter. Pistachio butter is commonly used as a dip for raw fruit or as a sandwich spread.

I recommend: Publix provides basic information on pistachio butter, such as storage tips, uses and nutritional content.

Culinary nut

A culinary nut may include any large, oily kernel that is covered by a shell, like a pistachio. The botanical use of the word 'nut' is much more restrictive.

I recommend: Fooducate provides specific facts on pistachios, including the difference between a culinary nut and a botanical nut.

Phytophthora foot rot

Pistachio trees are vulnerable to many diseases, such as infection of the roots by Phytophthora. This fungus has been known to wipe out entire pistachio orchards.

I recommend: The International Society for Horticultural Sciences provides a summary of diseases that affect the pistachio tree, including Phytophthora foot rot.

As with any crop, the pistachio tree nursery market can change yearly, depending upon the industry, weather or other growing conditions. It's imperative to pay attention to any changes to the market, whether such changes are based on government actions or they're simply changes that can benefit your overall business.

You can find numerous sites on the Internet to help you stay current with news regarding pistachio farms. Utilize several of these sources, and keep tabs on each one to help you stay ahead. Consider the following when investigating pistachio growers news and trends:

1. Locate online portals to find recent information regarding pistachio tree growing members.

2. Subscribe to publications that focus on pistachio farms.

3. Attend conferences or seminars where you can learn about trends for growing pistachios.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bookmark online sites run by the government that discuss pistachio wholesale news

Recalls have been in the news of late, and staying on top of any changes in that aspect are vital for pistachio farmers. Government-based sites can provide recall information, which is vital for any business that works with nuts. By bookmarking the pages, you can remind yourself to check the sites daily for updates.

I recommend: Look to the United States Department of Agriculture and its section on fruit and tree nuts outlook. Check out the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for news on pistachio recalls.

Receive periodicals that are geared toward pistachio company members

Subscribe to publications directed at pistachio growers, as this can provide you with firsthand information about news and trends in the industry. Some of these publication websites might also have newsletters that can be sent directly to your e-mail inbox. Such newsletters can provide you with information that might change between issues.

I recommend: Look to the Western Pistachio Association and its newsletters. You can choose to peruse older issues on its website if you wish. The University of California publishes its own newsletter called Pistachio Notes to keep you informed about the nut industry.

Locate conferences or conventions that discuss pistachio nursery trends

Hosted by leaders in the pistachio industry, conferences or conventions can be an ideal place to find news and trends about the industry. These meetings can help you stay aware of changes to the processing of pistachios, as well as any national standard updates. At one of these meeting places, you might be able to easily network with others in the pistachio business.

I recommend: There's plenty of information available for California pistachio growers. Check out the Administrative Committee for Pistachios and its industry events. You might find a conference or seminar that interests you. Look to the California Pistachio Research Board and its list of events.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  MySpace or Facebook can be valuable assets to find news about growing pistachio nuts. Think about joining one of these groups to find information to help your business.