Steve Van Duyn and Dan Cummings
Steve Van Duyn and Joe Huston
The theme of our annual meeting that will remain for the duration of our three-year growth plan is Growing Together. This poignant message speaks to the heart of our strategic plan and our commitment to the unity of our co-op. And, since our co-op’s inception in 1910, we have witnessed that we are stronger, and we grow best when we’re united. My family has been Blue Diamond members for 72 years. Through the various ups and downs, we’ve remained committed to our Cooperative not because it’s what we’ve always done, but because Blue Diamond fights for us and works diligently to get us the best returns possible in this ever-changing market. While the multifaceted challenges we’ve faced these past few years have made it some of the toughest all of us have been through, I’m confident that good times are coming again, and Blue Diamond is in it for the long haul.
The core of Blue Diamond ’s strength lies in excellent leadership from our Board of Directors and our leadership team. This past year, Kai and the leadership team have worked hard to dive deep into new markets and opportunities to strengthen Blue Diamond ’s portfolio and increase the demand for our almonds around the world. They are tapping into every option to determine viability and longevity. So, when I think of “Growing Together,” I think about how our cooperative and how we, as growers, must adapt and grow to evolve with the changing times. As farmers, we are Growing Together alongside our cooperative through dedication to the next generation of farmers and industry leaders. Blue Diamond has done an exemplary job of fostering leadership through several programs that support current and future Blue Diamond members and industry professionals. Since 1994, the Blue Diamond Leadership Program has had over 550 members graduate to become voices and advocates for Blue Diamond and for the ag industry. This summer, the 2024 Leadership Program class enjoyed a graduation barbecue at George te Velde’s home. Congratulations to all in attendance. I’d also like to thank Nick Blom for serving as Chair of this important program.
Steve Van Duyn and Kai Bockmann
9
NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2024
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