ANNUAL MEETING
2024 ANNUAL MEETING SESSION SYNOPSES
Grower Sessions:
Almond IPM: Revelations from 2024 After a year of difficult in-orchard pest management, industry experts came together to give an overview of the ecology, monitoring and management of carpophilus beetle, a newly invasive pest for almonds. The presentation included information about the global distribution and systematics of this pest, its arrival and spread in California, as well as seasonal phenology in orchards. The panelists also discussed current research and extension efforts to explore strategies for cultural, biological and chemical control. Panelists: • Ben Goudie , Director, Member Relations, Blue Diamond Growers (moderator) • Dr. Jhalendra Rijal , UCCE Farm Advisor, Stanislaus County • Dr. Houston Wilson , Director, UC Organic Ag Institute, Kearny Ag Research & Extension, Dept. of Entomology, UC Riverside
Preparing for 2025: How Almonds Win With the majority of the 2024 election results known, Blue Diamond ’s government affairs team provided an outlook on how the results might impact the Cooperative and its advocacy priorities. Many newly elected officials will take their seats come January including a new presidential administration and 34 new California legislators. These changes provide Blue Diamond and the almond industry with new challenges and opportunities. Building relationships with the newly elected officials will be a primary goal of the Cooperative’s advocacy strategy heading into 2025. Blue Diamond ’s Alicia Rockwell, Chief Government Affairs Officer, discussed Blue Diamond ’s legislative priorities for 2025 and how the Cooperative will be advocating for almonds in the coming year. Panelists: • Alicia Rockwell , Chief Government Affairs Officer, Blue Diamond Growers (moderator) • Emily Rooney , President, Agricultural Council of California • Blue Diamond ’s state and federal representatives • Stacy McBride , Executive Vice President, Federal Government Affairs, Husch Blackwell Strategies • Emily Pappas , Partner, Niemela Pappas & Associates
Alicia Rockwell with Emily Pappas, Stacy McBride and Emily Rooney
Ben Goudie with Dr. Jhalendra Rijal and Dr. Houston Wilson
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ALMOND FACTS
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