Our Industry Spotlight highlights one of our own within the industry, and this month, we are featuring Dave Keyawa of Keyawa Orchards Inc. We hope these features allow you to get to know us a little bit better.
Why did you want to become a member of the CWB/CWC?
I was asked to run for the California Walnut Commission and after great consideration decided to do so. I enjoyed the aspects of the Commission so much that I ran for the California Walnut Board. I was very humbled to be elected to both and have now served for the Commission for 15 years and the Board for 13 years. The Commission funds many projects to help increase the consumption of walnuts, and I wanted to be a part of that mission.
What has been your proudest moment serving on the Board and Commission?
The dissemination of information is very powerful, and one of my greatest loves of farming has always stemmed from research. So, I would say one of my proudest moments was being elected Chair of the Intra-Industry Communications Committee within the Commission, where we have been able to supply growers with production and marketing information through e-newsletters and grower meetings.
What do you rely on the CWB/CWC the most for?
The CWB/CWC funds many projects to help increase the consumption of walnuts. We rely on them to be the powerhouse that helps educate and keep our industry strong, build demand and create opportunity. The latest accomplishment was to pursue a credit-back authority, which is now in place after receiving a majority vote from growers. This will hopefully build demand for walnuts through more robust and frequent advertising by the handlers.
Then of course, as I have already mentioned, my joy of research and innovation. We rely on the Board and Commission to continue to support health and production research. Having studies done on a broader scale to then be disbursed to growers is both time and cost effective, as my own little experiments on the farm can only go so far! We’ve already benefited from their efforts for high-quality varieties to fill early mid-season harvest niches, new rootstocks, non and reduced pruning approaches, irrigation tools, and ways to combat diseases and pests.
These are just a few examples of what we lean on the Board and Commission to do in their mission to educate, advocate and mitigate barriers.
How has being a grower/handler changed over the years?
More regulation and compliance has been one of the biggest undertakings in the past decade, from keeping up with Best Management Practices, to food safety as it relates to hulling, drying and processing. We then try to balance the constant hurdle of using water more efficiently, and let’s not forget increased HR with employment compliance and safety.
What is it like working with your family in the business?
It has been said that transitions of existing businesses to family members succeed only 30% of the time. Transitioning to third generation is even more dismal, about 15%. Our company is now proudly in its 3rd generation; the 4th is still a little young at five, three, one and a half and two months old, but they still love tractors and quads. Growing up in a family business makes it hard to leave work in the field… as even after work you talk about work. Those who have spouses, sons, daughters and in-laws in the business surely can relate. But when times are good, you celebrate together, and when times are tough, you always have an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on.
What’s one tip for all the California Walnut growers/handlers out there?
Just remember, we have 365 days not to make the same mistake twice (as my father would say)! Continue to look outside the box: you never know when the attempt will be a success. When Thomas Edison finally invented the light bulb, a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?” Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.” We’ve all had some good years in farming, and we are also facing some unprecedented times, but we should try to remember it’s just another step in our farming journey and we must try to persevere.
