January-February 2025

This issue of Almond Facts, President & CEO, Kai Bockmann looks forward to a successful 2025, a special visit to the Sacramento site by Lt. Gov. Kounalakis is highlighted. Member-growers can read about the "Power in Partnership" and what they can do to advocate for the cooperative and take advantage of excellent benefits. Finally, readers can learn how to best prepare for springtime diseases that are common in almond orchards.

NEWS, VIEWS, AND INDUSTRY INSIGHT

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2025

Cover crop in the dormant orchards.

Mitigating Springtime Diseases in the Orchard

Lt. Gov. Kounalakis Visits Blue Diamond

The Power in Partnership

LIMITED EDITION

Quality Almond Trees. Superior Service.

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Contact your local field representative! Sierragoldtrees.com/reps • (530) 674-1145

Blue Diamond Growers does not endorse or verify statements made by advertisers within this publication.

ALMOND FACTS

JAN–FEB 2025

Contents

8 FIELD TEAM 10 MARKET REPORT 14 NEWS IN A NUTSHELL 20 CORNERING THE MARKET 22 MEMBERSHIP BASICS 24 GROWING THE GOODNESS 26 ADVOCACY REPORT 28 IN YOUR ORCHARD 38 CLASSIFIED ADS

This spring, hydrate the bees in your orchard with bee buckets.

Features 6 President’s Corner

22 Membership Basics In this article, Blue Diamond ’s Director of Member Relations, Ben Goudie digs into the “Power in Partnership” including keeping accurate records, being an advocate for the Cooperative, and getting involved with OSIP and the Climate-Smart Grant. 36 Preparing for Springtime Diseases in the Orchard In this Time to Consider article, Trent Voss discusses several common diseases growers face in their orchards and what can be done to minimize any damage to the trees.

President and CEO, Kai Bockmann, looks back on 2024 and ahead to what 2025 has to offer, including new products, markets, and what’s to come for the strategic plan. 14 California Lt. Governor Kounalakis Visits Blue Diamond Learn about Lt. Governor, Eleni Kounalakis’ visit to the Sacramento site. She enjoyed a tour, product sampling, and a discussion with some Blue Diamond leaders.

ON THE COVER: Dormant winter orchards boast healthy stands of cover crop. Photo credit: Mel Machado

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

Kai Bockmann, President and CEO

ALMOND FACTS STAFF Blue Diamond Growers Communications Department, communications@bdgrowers.com Jillian Luna, Managing Editor Mel Machado, Contributing Photographer Gray Allen, Advertising Sales 916.783.4334 & 916.765.3234

Blue Diamond , the world’s largest processor and marketer of almonds, exports to over 100 countries.

Almond Facts , established in 1922, is published bimonthly by Blue Diamond Growers , 1802 C Street, Sacramento, California 95811. Address all correspondence to the Editor, Almond Facts , P.O. Box 1768, Sacramento, California 95812. Advertising subscription rates provided upon request. Blue Diamond is a registered trademark and marketing brand of Blue Diamond Growers . Other registered trademarks are The Almond People, Smokehouse, Golden State, Celebration, From the Valleys of California, Confetti and Almond Facts . Blue Diamond Growers does not endorse or verify statements made by advertisers within this publication. Blue Diamond reserves the right to refuse advertising. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

AlmondFacts.com

BlueDiamond.com

ALMOND FACTS

Climate-Smart Grant

Enrollment begins February 3, 2025

$35/ orchard acre Cover Crops Apply February 3 - April 30 $50/ acre Conservation Cover Apply February 3 - April 30 $8/ linear foot Hedgerows Apply February 3 - March 14

OSIP participation (Double or Triple Diamond) Farm Service Agency Subsidiary Print Farm Service Agency Farm Map Requirements Use the same account login information for FarmRaise to apply for the grant as you did for OSIP. For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/csg-bdg How to Apply

NOW APPLY

jbains@bdgrowers.com Jasdeep Bains 916-834-5651 Questions?

$900/ orchard acre Whole Orchard Recycling Open on a rolling basis

Grant & OSIP Enrollment Days

4800 Sisk Road Salida, CA 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. BDG Salida Office

19628 Industry Pkwy Dr. Bakersfield, CA 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. AgWest Farm Credit- Bakersfield

04 MARCH

26 FEB

To Complete Grant Enrollment, Bring:

516 S I St. Madera, CA 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Dicicco’s- Madera

2910 Pea Soup Anderson Blvd Selma, CA 8:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Legends Tap House & Grill 1300 N Washington Rd. Turlock, CA 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. BDG Turlock Office

06 MARCH

05 MARCH

OSIP participation (Double or Triple Diamond) CASP Assessment Report Farm Service Agency Subsidiary Print Farm Service Agency Farm Map

9605 Eucalyptus Ave. Winton, CA 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 P.M. Winton, CA 451 6th St. Williams, CA 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Granzella’s- Williams

10 MARCH

07 MARCH

4800 Sisk Road Salida, CA 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. BDG Salida Office 703 Miller Ave. Chico, CA 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. BDG Chico Office

12 MARCH

11 MARCH

jbains@bdgrowers.com Jasdeep Bains 916-834-5651 Climate-Smart Grant Questions

ddekeyrel@bdgrowers.com Daniel Dekeyrel 209-876-2579 OSIP Questions

18 MARCH

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

We have kicked off 2025 with incredible momentum after laying the groundwork for many of our initiatives. 2024 proved to be a year of peaks and valleys and it was unpredictable at times. The volume of the 2024 crop surpassed that of the past two years, market prices have been rising, and we are looking forward to better returns for our growers.

Since the Annual Growers Meeting, we have achieved key milestones and have seen some of our latest initiatives take flight. There were also some notable wins with in-store and online retailers in December and we continue to execute against our plan. Many of our products launching in 2025 are focused on attracting new audiences and expanding our market share. We are driving new consumption by leveraging our strengths and everything that makes us unique. After our produce launch in Atlanta, we saw some key initial wins come through, increasing our reach and customer engagement in this space. The first customer orders have started to come in and the product will ship over the coming months as grocers reset in-store offerings. We are determined to keep the momentum going. Almonds and More, our latest mixed nuts blend, is quickly becoming a customer favorite. It launched in major grocery retail stores in November 2024, and we are looking forward to its domestic expansion this year.

It’s no secret how much I love our Thin Dipped Almonds, and our Research & Development team has been hard at work to expand our footprint. I don’t want to give away anything just yet, but I look forward to sharing more news soon so stay tuned! We have also seen some great wins in club stores too. Our White Cheddar Snack Almonds are a crowd pleaser and have performed well, leading to increased distribution. With our teams working tirelessly and so much excitement underway, we are incredibly motivated to tackle what lies ahead. It’s an honor to be your President and CEO and I am grateful for the hard work you put in each day to deliver the goodness of almonds to the world. I wish you a very Happy New Year and I look forward to good things ahead for Blue Diamond in 2025.

Kai Bockmann President & CEO

ALMOND FACTS

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

FIELD TEAM

Regional Managers

Vice President, Member Relations Mel Machado

Tehama, Butte, Glenn, Sutter, & Yuba Christine Ivory, (530) 518-9109 Colusa, Yolo & Solano Nicole Jansen, (530) 338-6440 Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, North of Hwy 205 & East of San Joaquin River KC Clendenin, (209) 596-5375 San Joaquin County, West of San Joaquin River & South of Hwy 205 Stanislaus County, North of Tuolumne River & Hwy 132 Justin Elam, (209) 303-7306 Stanislaus County, East of Hwy 99, South of Tuolumne River Austin Jackson, (209) 417-2010 Stanislaus County, West of Hwy 99, South of Tuolumne River, South of Grayson & Howard Road’s West of San Joaquin River Merced County, North of Merced River & Hills Ferry & Stuhr Roads Trent Voss, (209) 470-5981 Merced County, South of Merced River & Hills Ferry Merced County, South of Hwy 140 Madera County, North of Avenue 12, Firebaugh Blvd, Avenue 7½, & W. Nees Avenue Carla Youngblood, (559) 240-0906 Madera County, South of Avenue 12, Firebaugh Blvd, Avenue 7½ & W. Nees Avenue, Fresno County, North of Hwy 201/Avenue 400, North of Conejo Avenue & Kamm Fresno County, South of Hwy 201/Avenue 400, South of Conejo Avenue & Kamm Avenue, East of Derrick Avenue, Tulare County, Kings County, & Kern County Anthony Scudder, (559) 470-9731 Membership Office Jennifer Claussen Supervisor – Member Relations Administration (209) 545-6225 & Stuhr Roads, North of Hwy 140 Kenny Miyamoto, (209) 323-8454 Avenue, West of Derrick Avenue Ashley Correia, (559) 356-1584

(209) 545-6222 – Salida (209) 531-6352 – Cellular Director, Member Relations Ben Goudie (209) 225-0413

Daniel Dekeyrel Member Relations Coordinator (Delivery Tags) (209) 545-6261

ALMOND FACTS

2025 Grower Liaison Committee Members

LEGEND

DISTRICT 1

DISTRICT 2

John Monroe Elaine Rominger Gerald Rominger Carole M. Cain Catherine Cain Josh Pippit Catherine Marsh Michael Samra Jacob Amsler Dustin Timothy Sid LaGrande Jonnalee Dunn Josh Campbell Ryan Finnen Ashley Dowden Jake Amsler

Kelli Evans Dan Cummings Kevin Davies Timothy Perraie John Nock Meredith Christopher P. Samantha Lewis Larry Bradley Luke Konyn

Chair Vice-Chair Ex-Officio Director Appointed (Member-at-Large)

Tom Knowles Steve Carlos Michael Montz Brian Erickson Ray Antonowich

DISTRICT 3

DISTRICT 4

Dale Van Groningen John Thoming Bruce Oosterkamp Donald Drake Durk Van Laar Tim Mohler Jeff Stuit Jack Dalton Clayton Bogetti Don Freitas Andrew Kamper John Almeida Jordan Van Vliet Jason Van Groningen

George te Velde Kevin Fondse Kenneth Roos Matt Visser Lance Ioppini Wesley Eisenga Spencer Franceschetti Martin Adrian Lukas Doornenbal Ed Tilma John deVisser Scott Sand Wayne Bruns Joe Martin Rick Van Vliet

For Grower Liaison contact information, please contact your regional manager.

DISTRICT 5

DISTRICT 6

DISTRICT 8

DISTRICT 9

DISTRICT 7

Stephen Van Duyn Neil Van Duyn Harry (Sonny) Johns Matt Fredriks Danielle Higby LeBeouf Tim Baker James Kinzie

Nick Blom Charles Crivelli III Steve Vilas Dirk Van Konyenburg

Matt Efird George Goshgarian Colin Unruh Daniel Babshoff Melvin Lubisich Nayiri Saghdejian John Locker Andrew Cunha Ryan Metzler Michael Keith Smith

Kent Stenderup Clinton Shick Shaminder S. Brar Gerard A. Loaiza

Dan Mendenhall Robert J. Weimer Dan Clendenin Rodney L. Voumard Michael Temnyk Rodney E. Ratzlaff Jr. Steve Moeller John Pereira Bryan Jacobs Rick Scoto Dante Migliazzo Paul Atwal Minda Nespoli Jed Kruppa

Chris Couture Pete Romanini Ankit Behl

Justin Romero Derek Coelho Robert Mailloux Steve Scheuber Allen Peterson Jeff Lee Matt Romero John Hack Stan Chance Trevor Cordova Don Clark

Gordon Heinrich Chris Vanderstoel Jon Beck Jonathan Flora Bob Kulina Cody Vella Naomi Layland

Sam Ghilarducci Garrett Gilcrease John Allen Doug Kindig Brian Medeiros Karmjeet Jhandi Keith Gilbert

Ranvir Tung Kam Bopari

Mitch Bagdasarian Mike Mohammadi

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

MARKET REPORT

ALMOND MARKET UPDATE

Blue Diamond Almond Market Update – January 13, 2025

OVERVIEW December shipments were in line with market expectations, reaching 233 million pounds, a 1.6% increase compared to last year. Export shipments led slightly, totaling 177 million pounds, reflecting a 2% increase over the previous year. Domestic shipments showed a 1% decline for the month. As anticipated, shipments are recovering from the light volumes seen in the first two months and continue to match last year’s performance.

SHIPMENTS India:

December shipments totaled 34.6 million pounds, up 70% from the record low last month but down 10% compared to last year. The year-to-date gap has narrowed to 21%, with total shipments at 157 million pounds, compared to 198.4 million pounds at this time last year. Local sales have been strong across all channels, driven by the approaching wedding season, which has depleted inventories. As November shipments reach their destinations, buyers will soon realize that inventory remains tight. Buying activity in California has picked up as buyers begin replenishing their inventories. China/Hong Kong/Vietnam: Shipments to the region for the month totaled 7.1 million pounds, a 45% decrease compared to last year. Year-to-date shipments trail last year by 26%, widening the gap by an additional 4% since last month. Chinese buyers continue to seek alternative supply sources to bypass U.S. tariffs, which explains the increase in shipments from several Southeast Asian countries. Regional buyers have shown renewed interest, likely in anticipation of increased consumption during the Chinese New Year festivities at the end of January. However, demand from China for California almonds is expected to remain limited in the coming months, as they turn to Australia as their primary supply source.

ALMOND FACTS

Europe: Shipments to Europe totaled 64.3 million pounds, a 3% increase compared to last year, bringing year-to-date shipments nearly in line with last year’s totals. While demand remains steady, several countries on the continent are showing mixed signals. Spain continues to lag when compared to last year, while the Netherlands has experienced robust growth. Germany and the UK are also trailing compared to the prior year, while France is showing an increase. With local stocks now becoming available and many California sellers offering European grades, we expect demand to remain relatively flat. Middle East: The Middle East posted another strong month of shipments, totaling 26.6 million pounds, a 13% increase compared to last year. Year-to-date shipments are now ahead of last year by 33.8%, totaling 174.7 million pounds. In the past couple of weeks, buying interest has picked up following the holiday lull, with a focus on February shipments. Turkey (65%), the UAE (11%), and Saudi Arabia (84%) have all seen significant year-over-year growth, demonstrating the region’s strong demand for California almonds. With healthy local stocks, in-country prices are currently being offered lower than California’s. As local stocks continue to deplete, the need for replenishment will follow, signaling that sustained demand in the coming weeks is expected. Domestic: December shipments totaled 56 million pounds, 1% behind last year. Year-to-date domestic shipments are at 296 million pounds, down 1% compared to the prior year. New sales for the domestic market in December were 58 million pounds, compared to 65 million pounds last year. Commitments for the largest market currently stand at 220 million pounds, lagging last year by 20.7% due to the hand-to-mouth purchasing strategy employed by buyers. With no sign of price softening, expect buyers who have been waiting to secure coverage to come to market in the coming weeks.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

MARKET REPORT

COMMITMENTS Total commitments reached 561.2 million pounds, slightly below last year’s level, reflecting an 11.96% decrease compared to the previous year. Both domestic and export commitments are lower, with exports down by 5%. Uncommitted inventories have increased to 1.3 million pounds, up 9.9% from last year. New sales totaled 182.5 million pounds, a 17% decrease compared to last year, indicating the continuation of a short-term buying strategy across regions. Assuming a 2.8-billion-pound crop, current shipments and commitments account for 53% of total supply, compared to 56% last year. CROP This year’s harvest is complete, with crop receipts totaling 2.58 billion pounds, reflecting a 15.6% increase compared to last year’s 2.23 billion pounds. However, it’s important to note that last year’s harvest was delayed due to weather conditions. When including the average receipts from January to July at approximately 174 million pounds, the crop estimate comes to around 2.75 billion pounds. This aligns with industry expectations, and it seems unlikely that the harvest will exceed the 2.8-billion-pound Objective Estimate at this point.

Market Perspective December shipments met market expectations, and year-to-date performance is on par with last year’s pace. Sellers are gaining confidence as the crop is delivered and prices continue to rise. Similarly, buyers are adjusting to higher prices and becoming more assured in their purchases. Destination inventories remain tight, with incoming products going directly to market instead of being stored, indicating strong demand that is likely to sustain prices into the new year. The next key milestone will be the almond bloom in February, when the industry will begin assessing the prospects of the 2025 crop.

I look forward to connecting with you at the PTNPA Convention in Scottsdale.

Laura Gerhard, Vice President of Ingredients and International Branded, Blue Diamond Growers

ALMOND FACTS

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Blue Diamond Growers does not endorse or verify statements made by advertisers within this publication.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

NEWS IN A NUTSHELL

Lieutenant Governor of California, Eleni Kounalakis, Visits Blue Diamond This winter, Blue Diamond , Sacramento hosted Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and her Chief of Staff, Matt Dumlao, for a plant tour followed by a discussion with key leaders in the Almond Innovation Center ® . Blue Diamond ’s President and CEO — Kai Bockmann, Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer — Alicia Rockwell, VP Member Relations — Mel Machado, Sr. Director R&D — Kurt Waananen, and Director of Brand Marketing — Eric Tinson sat down to discuss the successes and challenges facing the California almond industry and how Blue Diamond can help support the future of California agriculture.

Kounalakis enjoyed sampling many new snack nuts and products including all three flavors of Almonds and More mixed nuts and Blue Diamond Almond Nog. She even tried several snack nut flavors that haven’t yet hit grocery store shelves. The team provided a sneak peek at some exciting, new events, products, and ad campaigns coming up for the Cooperative, showing that almonds are a bold, delicious, and nutritious food available in a variety of forms. Lt. Governor Kounalakis expressed her pride in California agriculture, stating the importance of government officials truly knowing what makes each region special: “We’re living in challenging times in society. Anything that helps people feel connected is really important. I’ve done a lot of international work. I’ve never been anywhere where I didn’t know what that country or region was most proud of in terms of agriculture production or product” Kounalakis said. “You don’t go somewhere without knowing their delicacies. It’s

part of an area’s identity. California is the number one agriculture state and most people who visit don’t leave here knowing that. Californians know that and it makes us unique. People in government need to understand that people are proud of what they produce.” The team appreciated the time with the Lieutenant Governor and the opportunity it brought to showcase the people, products and operations of the Cooperative. We are grateful to have her as a champion of agriculture and almonds in California.

L to R: Lt. Governor’s Chief of Staff Matt Dumlao, Alicia Rockwell (Blue Diamond), Kurt Waananen (Blue Diamond), Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Kai Bockmann (Blue Diamond), Eric Tinson (Blue Diamond), and Mel Machado (Blue Diamond)

ALMOND FACTS

BLUE DIAMOND INVESTMENT PROGRAMS Current Investment Rates available as of January 1, 2025

Blue Diamond Growers offers members short-term and long- term investment programs. The objective of these programs is to serve as a competitive investment alternative for our members and provide Blue Diamond Growers with a steady source of funds. The interest rates effective January 1, 2025, for the program are listed here:

Short-Term Investment Certificate (STIC)

Long-Term Investment Certificate (LTIC) (Maturity Date of 6/30/2027)

Initial Investment Required

$1,000

$50,000

Interest Rate

5.25%

4.50%

(Variable, subject to change)

(Fixed rate)

For more information, contact your local Regional Manager, or Member Services at (209) 545-6225.

This summary does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to purchase investment certificates. We will provide a package of documents for the programs to those members who are California residents and who express an interest in participating in the program.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

NEWS IN A NUTSHELL

#WeAreBlueDiamond Social Media Activity Recently, Blue Diamond team members enjoyed decorating their workspaces for the holiday season. An exciting video shoot for the newest Blue Diamond campaign is in the works. The Cooperative celebrated Alicia Rockwell’s reappointment to the ATAC for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables. And followers on social media learned about non-dairy yogurt and plant based proteins.

ALMOND FACTS

Grower Liaison Committee Meeting

On January 15, grower liaisons from each district met in Sacramento to receive updates and ask questions of Blue Diamond leaders like Kai Bockmann, Steve Van Duyn, Carmen Bourgaize, Tony Laurenzana, Alicia Rockwell, Mel Machado, Maya Erwin, Steve Schult, Ben Goudie, Matt Piersol, and several others. They received a crop update, domestic and international sales update, heard from the Government Affairs team, learned more about Growers Connect Marketplace, the Blue Diamond Climate-Smart Grant, moving to digital first approach: direct deposits, and had breakout sessions and lunch. Thank you to the Member Relations team for making this important event happen!

A full room at the January 2025 GLC meeting

After the meeting, growers posed with the Almond Breeze ® mower

Alicia Rockwell Reappointed to ATAC for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables

Blue Diamond ’s Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer, Alicia Rockwell, was reappointed, for the third time, to the USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables. Rockwell’s original appointment was January 2017 to January 2021 and her second appointment was January 2021 to January 2024. This Committee advises, consults with, and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative on matters that are of concern to the U.S. and to its consumers, producers, processors, and traders of fruits and vegetables in

connection with the trade policy activities undertaken by the U.S. They provide advice and information regarding trade issues that affect both domestic and foreign production and trade concerning fruits and vegetables. The Committee furnishes advisory opinions and reports regarding trade policy as requested by the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Representative, or their designees. Congratulations to Alicia! We are grateful for her ongoing service on behalf of the Cooperative.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

NEWS IN A NUTSHELL

Almond Breeze ® Beef Stew Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Difficulty: Easy Servings: 4 Ingredients Stew: 4 slices bacon, chopped 1 pound beef chuck, cut into cubes ½ cup all-purpose flour 1 cup beef broth 2 Tablespoons tomato paste ¾ cup Almond Breeze® Unsweetened Original Almondmilk 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard 6 shallots, peeled and cut in half 6 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks Salt Ground black pepper Chopped fresh parsley for garnish Directions 1. Cook bacon in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until browned and crispy. 2. Remove bacon from the pot and drain on paper towels, leaving the bacon fat in the pot. 3. Combine beef with flour, salt, and black pepper in a plastic bag and shake until beef is coated evenly; add to pot and cook over medium-high heat until browned.

4. Add shallots, carrots, and tomato paste to beef and stir. Pour in broth and simmer for 90 minutes. 5. Stir cooked bacon, Almond Breeze ® almondmilk, and mustard into beef mixture and bring to a simmer. 6. Ladle stew into bowls and garnish with parsley.

ALMOND FACTS

Blue Diamond Almond Flour Crinkle Cookies Prep Time: 60 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Difficulty: Easy Servings: 18

Ingredients ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened 2 Tablespoons Almond Breeze ® Unsweetened Original Almondmilk 1½ cups powdered sugar, divided into two ¾ cup portions 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1½ cups Blue Diamond Almond Flour 1/8 teaspoon salt ½ cup almonds, finely diced

Directions 1. In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat butter and almondmilk until smooth and creamy. Add ¾ cup powdered sugar and beat until well combined. Beat in vanilla. 2. At low speed, slowly add in almond flour and salt. Mix until dough comes together. Stir in almonds. 3. Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. 4. Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. 5. Place remaining ¾ cup powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. 6. Scoop dough into 1 tablespoon balls and roll in powdered sugar until fully covered in sugar, then place on baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Do not flatten. 7. Bake 15-18 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom. Allow cookies to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then gently remove to wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Recipe compliments of the Blue Diamond Research & Development team.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

CORNERING THE MARKET

Blue Diamond Teams up with Mike’s Hot Honey Infused with Chilies for a Sweet and Spicy Snack Nut Combination

Blue Diamond is thrilled to team up with the number one hot

honey brand to release a limited time snack nut flavor: Mike’s Hot Honey ® Flavored Almonds. Our California-grown almonds are roasted with hot honey flavoring, giving a great kick to this favorite snack. The sweet-heat combination is an excellent addition to lunches, to enjoy while

running errands, or just for a healthy treat that packs eight grams of plant protein. Mike’s Hot Honey ® is made from all Natural 100% Pure Honey Infused with Chili Peppers, and is the flavor inspiration for this new snack. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a mix of sweet and heat in the same bite. In early February, this limited time flavor will be available on Amazon in a 12-count pack of 1.5-ounces individual servings for $14.99. Later in the month, 6-ounce cans will be available for $2.98 per can in thousands of Walmart stores across the country, all while supplies last.

Blue Diamond ’s National Almond Day Event in Sacramento With National Almond Day coming up on February 16, Blue Diamond is excited to hold an event in Sacramento that will be open to local consumers. Local media and influencers will be invited as well. The team plans to use this event to establish awareness for the Blue Diamond product portfolio and connect the brand to National Almond Day. The event will be held at Urban Roots (urbanrootsbrewing.com), a craft brewery and smokehouse restaurant in Downtown Sacramento known for championing all things Sacramento. They previously hosted the Blue Diamond Snack Almonds Big 10 and “Tallmondboy” fall football event in November 2024. The event will take place on the outdoor patio to ensure that the Nutty Cruiser will have full visibility as a part of the almond celebration. The patio will include branded stations for Blue Diamond products including Almond Breeze ® , Snack Almonds, Almonds and More, Nut-Thins, and a dessert station featuring Thin Dipped Snack Almonds and Blue Diamond Almond Flour baked treats. The event will also feature a National Almond Day flower wall—inspired by almond bloom—for guests to pose in front of for photographs.

ALMOND FACTS

The Blue Diamond Nutty Cruiser will be making its California debut! It will provide Snack Almonds samples as well as games and opportunities to win Blue Diamond swag. The Almond Breeze ® station will include a coffee cart with beverages provided by Camellia Coffee Roasters (camelliacoffeeroasters.com) where a Camellia team member will be on-site crafting hot beverages using Almond Breeze ® Barista Blend. To showcase versatility with a cold beverage option, the Almond Breeze ® station will also have bike blenders available as an interactive activity for guests. Attendees can blend their own smoothies on a bike blender using fresh fruits and Almond Breeze ® Almondmilk. To highlight Snack Almonds flavors alongside Urban Roots craft beers, the Snack Almonds table will include samples of Mike’s Hot Honey Almonds, Smokehouse Almonds, and Spicy Dill Pickle Almonds. Attendees 21+ can also enjoy a beer flight paired with Blue Diamond Snack Almonds. Blue Diamond Almonds and More will receive its own station to celebrate its arrival and draw awareness of this new, exciting product. At this station, attendees will receive samples of all Almonds and More flavors: Smokehouse, Roasted Sea Salt, and Honey Roasted. The Nut-Thins station will feature a variety of Nut-Thins flavors along with a spread of charcuterie, cheese and/or dips for consumers to try. Nut-Thins Flavors available will be: Hint of Sea Salt, Cheddar Cheese, and Artisan Multi-Seed. Local media and influencers from the Sacramento area are invited to provide coverage of the event and National Almond Day. Also invited are local Sacramento government and personnel to help showcase Blue Diamond ’s hometown support. Calendar listings will also be posted on local channels to advertise the free event.

For National Almond Day, Blue Diamond will be hosting flash deals at the Nut & Gift Shop and on Amazon. “It’s an honor to, once again, partner with Urban Roots to celebrate National Almond Day!” said Maya Erwin, Blue Diamond ’s VP of Marketing and Innovation. “ Blue Diamond is making a splash in the Sacramento community by providing product sampling in a variety of treatments. From Almonds and More samples to drinks made with Almond Breeze ® Barista Blend, there will be something for everyone to be excited about. We hope our community is as excited to expand their celebration of National Almond Day as we are!” After the National Almond Day event, the Nutty Cruiser will appear at a series of events: • February 17: The Nutty Cruiser delivers lunch to the 2024 Annual Growers Meeting drawing winner in Hughson, Ca.

• February 18: The Nutty Cruiser visits the Blue Diamond Salida and Turlock Plants for a photo opportunity and to deliver treats. • February 19: The Nutty Cruiser visits the Blue Diamond Headquarters in Sacramento.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

MEMBERSHIP BASICS

Power in Partnership “Power in Partnership” has been a core principle of Blue Diamond since its founding in 1910. In 1911, just a year after becoming a cooperative known as the California Almond Growers Exchange, J.P. Dargitz, the primary founding organizer, stood before the members with a report on overcoming the adversity they faced in the first year. Naturally, we have had many obstacles to meet and overcome as you are all aware, but with the very generous assistance rendered by the members and directors of this Exchange…and by the very earnest and upright method of doing business, that [sic] we have been able to overcome practically every obstacle that has presented itself. —J.P. Dargitz, Founding Organizer of Blue Diamond

As we begin the 2025 crop year, I thought it would be good to outline the most critical areas where we will need your partnership to work towards the most effective year possible. Blue Diamond leadership and staff have a robust plan, and what I will outline below are some elements that you can get involved in to be a force multiplier. Accurate Acreage Records The Membership team has a key initiative for 2025 to verify accurate records as we prepare for harvest. With nearly 50,000 deliveries each year there’s no doubt that it can be hard to keep up with changes, and maintaining accurate records is a serious task. Please let your regional manager know right away if you plan on pulling out acreage or planting new acreage this year. Receiving updated acreage records allows us to forecast effectively, ensuring that we understand the upcoming supply for the new year. Later this spring, we will provide an acreage survey that asks you to verify your current orchard configuration. Please be sure to send those back to us as complete as possible. Taking a Digital First Approach We have seen tremendous growth in sign-ups for access to the Blue Diamond Portal. One recently added feature is notifications for updates, such as new deliveries, grades, and payments. We will continue to enrich the portal feature, so that it serves as your one source of truth as a member- grower. One aspect that has been essential is the ability to run reports and pull up key information which has enabled member-growers to support their year-end bookkeeping, as well as serving as the basis to verify volumes for recent USDA payment programs. Moving toward a digital first approach is something you will hear much more about in the coming year. We are seeking to make gains in efficiency by enrolling most member-growers, assignees, and renters to receive payments via direct deposit. Direct deposit is a much more secure, efficient, and timely

So, true as it was during the founding of our cooperative, for the most part, we face the same challenges today. We just experienced an unprecedented period of poor market conditions, coupled with high production costs, and ever-increasing regulatory burdens. Although the horizon looks brighter from a supply and demand balance perspective, many challenges

remain. We will always face headwinds as a business and on the farm, yet the solution remains the same: partner together to stand strong in the face of these challenges.

ALMOND FACTS

way to receive payments. You can receive payments 3-4 days sooner with no concern of lost mail. Eliminating paper checks also removes the chance for mail thieves to fraudulently attempt to cash Blue Diamond checks. If you are not already signed up for direct deposit, please contact your regional manager who can help you enroll. Stay tuned for more information on our plans to help our member-growers move to a safe, secure and efficient digital first reality. Advocate in 2025 With a new administration and many new elected officials taking office, 2025 will bring a new governmental and policy environment. Our Government Affairs team is constantly assessing the political and regulatory landscape for any new regulations or legislation that may affect our business. This includes not only items like new packaging laws that impact our operations and manufacturing, but also farm level issues such as water and environmental regulation. On the federal level, the recent USDA MASC program provided direct payments to growers, and as 2025 progresses, we will continue to watch for and notify you of additional opportunities for direct payment. The major message here is to follow our “At the Capitol” legislative reports, as well as keep an eye out for “Advocacy Alerts” via email. One thing we know for sure is that when new issues pop up, we need your partnership as a member-grower to advocate on behalf of the Cooperative. The collective voice of our member-growers is the strongest force in advocating for the benefit of the cooperative community. It is vital to the conversation. Our Government Affairs team and industry organizations advocate on your behalf every day, but know that our legislators truly listen when a Blue Diamond farmer speaks up. Orchard Stewardship Incentive Program (OSIP) We continued a strong growth trajectory and had very successful participation in OSIP for crop year 2023. And again, for the 2024 crop year, we have a goal to renew and maintain Blue Diamond ’s currently enrolled acreage in the program. The enrollment period for crop year 2024 started in November and will be open until April 30, 2025. The incentive program is largely unchanged this year, and if you are simply renewing again, we estimate it should take less than an hour to complete the necessary updates. The

key change this year is that the Farm Raise platform will facilitate the application process instead of the basic web form we used previously. Look for workshop opportunities or contact your regional manager to make sure you are enrolled in the OSIP program. Don’t pass up the available incentives!

The Climate-Smart Grant (CSG): Another great area that exemplifies the “Power in

Partnership” is the opportunity to participate in the USDA Climate-Smart Grant which is exclusive to Blue Diamond member-growers and administered by our staff. Whole Orchard Recycling (WOR) is now available , with an ongoing open enrollment period. The application period for cover crops, conservation cover, and hedgerows begins February 3, 2025, and will close April 30, 2025 . Please watch for communications regarding 2025 workshops this spring. Please remember, in order to take advantage of grant funds, you must participate in the OSIP program. In farming, challenges and uncertainty are the norm, and managing risk becomes the objective. Partnering together and leveraging the power of our member-growers started with the founding of our cooperative with a prime goal of managing that risk and maximizing grower returns. Today, partnership has a much broader meaning. Working together with buyers and customers by leveraging Blue Diamond ’s sustainability accomplishments and working directly with the USDA to administrate grant funding are just a couple of the ways we share new opportunities. Lastly, let’s not forget our close relationships with our local huller-sheller partners who work tirelessly to bring in a quality crop year after year to maximize member-grower returns. Together, we are all partners, and there truly is “Power in Partnership.”

Ben Goudie, Director, Member Relations, Blue Diamond Growers

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

GROWING THE GOODNESS

Former Blue Diamond Board Chair, Dan Cummings, Honored with Almond Achievement Award The Almond Board of California announced the winners of its annual industry awards during the luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at The Almond Conference, held at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento. The 2024 Almond Achievement Award was presented to Dan Cummings. Almond Achievement Award Described by newly elected Almond Board Chair Alicia Rockwell as a “leader and visionary,“ Dan Cummings has dedicated 40 years to the almond industry. He has managed up to 11,000 acres of almonds and walnuts, provided mentorship to future leaders, and supported agricultural research through in-kind contributions.

His extensive global representation of the California almond industry includes participation in a dozen International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) meetings and advocacy efforts in China, Russia, Europe, and beyond. Cummings also served on the Almond Board of California for over a decade and chaired Blue Diamond Growers ’ board for nine years. Notably, he founded Project Apis m ., promoting pollinator health and sustainability. More about this award Beginning in 2011, the goal of the Almond Achievement Award has been to recognize an industry member who has added value through long-term service for the betterment of the California almond industry. Award recipients are individuals with long-standing and direct involvement, who demonstrate lasting impact on, and commitment to, the California almond industry.

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ALMOND FACTS

Blue Diamond Growers Foundation Scholarship available for 2025 - 2026 School Year

Scholarship Requirements:

Must currently live in Almond Growing Regions of California Must intend to pursue college major in Agriculture related field, with specific emphasis on plant and crop-related majors Must have 3.3 GPA or higher Enrollment verification to a college or university offering a four-year degree will be required for disbursement of award funds Application deadline: March 31, 2025

This is a one-time award. Applicants who have applied and not previously been awarded a Blue Diamond Growers Foundation Scholarship may re-apply. Scholarship is available to applicants entering any year of a four-year degree program. apply.mykaleidoscope.com/scholarships/BlueDiamondGrowersScholarship2025

ADVOCACY REPORT

Current Washington Situation Congress, the Farm Bill, and Government Funding. At the end of last year, Congress adjourned by pushing decisions on federal funding and reauthorization of the Farm Bill to the new Congress. Congress convened on January 3, 2025, with Republicans in charge of both the House and the Senate. When President Trump was sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2025, Republicans were moved to the unique position of controlling both chambers of Congress and the Administration. The House re-elected Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) Speaker of the House and Representative Hakeem Jeffries (R-LA-08) as Minority Leader. In the Senate, Senator John Thune (R-SD), a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, was elected the new Republican Majority Leader. This is the first change in Senate Republican leadership in over 18 years and follows former Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) announcement that he is stepping down from his leadership post. Senator Schumer (D-NY) was re-elected as the Democrat Leader in the Senate. The first few months of 2025 will be consumed with Senate confirmation of President Trump’s nominations for key administration posts. President Trump has named Brooke Rollins of Texas as Secretary-designee for the Department of Agriculture. Rollins is a former Trump Administration White House aide and most recently served as CEO of the America First Policy Institute. President Trump has also named Jamieson Greer as his designee for U.S. Trade Representative. Greer was former trade representative Robert Lighthizer’s Chief of Staff. Confirmation hearings for these nominations will take place in the first quarter of the year and will define agriculture and trade policy under the Trump Administration.

With single party control of the Congress and the Administration, Republicans will utilize unique procedural rules to pass Republican priorities using a simple majority. This process is commonly referred to as reconciliation and bypasses Senate requirements for a supermajority to pass legislation. Congressional Republicans have announced that they will use reconciliation to reauthorize the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, increase immigration enforcement and invest in American energy. In December, Congress passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through March 14, 2025. This funding measure continued current spending levels for the entire government, including the Department of Agriculture. In an already packed Congressional schedule, a final agreement on government spending will be difficult. As a part of the continuing resolution, Congress extended the Farm Bill through September 30, 2025. This extension unlocks funding for the Market Access Program which had been on hold while Congress was determining how to move forward with farm programs. The MAP program supports Blue Diamond ’s international efforts to expand markets. The Department of Agriculture announced $2.65 billion in economic assistance for specialty crops, including almonds. Modeled after CFAP2, the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crop (MASC) program will help specialty crop producers expand markets. In the new Congress, the Senate Agriculture Committee will be led by Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who takes over the top Democrat position with the retirement of former Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

ALMOND FACTS

Representative G.T. Thompson (R-PA-15) remains Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and will lead the Committee with Representative Angie Craig (D-MN-02) who was elected Ranking Member after defeating longtime Ranking Member Representative, David Scott (D-GA-13), in a contested election. International Trade: During his campaign, President Trump regularly suggested that all products imported into the U.S. should be subject to tariffs of 10-20%. While it remains to be seen if President Trump will follow through on these tariffs, the agriculture community is deeply concerned as retaliatory tariff measures traditionally target agriculture exports. The Blue Diamond team is building relationships with newly elected and appointed officials. Additionally, the team is collaborating with existing elected members and career administration officials to advise on the Cooperative’s highest priority issues like preserving Sec.199a and advancing market programs.

Remember that during President Trump’s first term, grower engagement and activation moved policymakers to act and heed email alerts for requests. You are making a difference, and we urge you to continue letting your voice be heard.

Lynn Jacquez Of Counsel, JPH Law Firm, Senior Advisor, Husch Blackwell Strategies

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JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

IN YOUR ORCHARD

THE BEE BOX

Why You Need Hedgerows and How to Install Them Hedgerows are permanent plants that provide perennial habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects. Often planted on field edges or non-cropped “spare” areas, these are usually native shrubs or trees. Once established, a process that can take up to three years to accomplish, they are easy to maintain. They provide drought-resistant and often fire-resistant havens for the “good guys” that increase soil health and can enhance pollination services.

in areas without summer rainfall. A linear design allows for easier irrigation layouts.

Step 2: Site Preparation and Irrigation Installation Weed Control Before Planting Proper weed control is vital to the success of establishing pollinator habitat. Ideally, sites should remain weed-free for 12 months before planting. A combination of foliar and pre-emergent herbicides or repeated cultivation can be used to address both living and dormant vegetation. It is critical that applicators are fully aware that pre-emergent herbicides are carefully selected so they don’t interfere with planting. Each site will need to be checked monthly (at minimum). The site should be re-treated if new plant growth occurs.

Hedgerows are a win for the farmer and the natural biodiversity that provides ecosystem services to nearly every farm scenario. Here’s the step-by-step process to accomplish this on your land. Step 1: Site Selection Small margins of land directly next to orchards, row crops, and pastures are ideal for hedgerow habitat. If sites are long and narrow, a single row of plants or “hedgerow” can be installed. If sites are square or trapezoid-shaped, multiple parallel rows can be installed. In either case, sites are measured in linear feet and will need access to irrigation

Reduction of Existing Vegetation Site preparation

activities also include the removal of dead leaves, stems, and other plant material to prepare the site for seeding and ensure good seed-to-soil contact. If large amounts of plant matter persist on the ground, it may be necessary to remove the plant residue by raking.

Capay Hills Orchard. Photo credit: Brian Paddock

49er Almonds. Photo credit: Frank Lu

ALMOND FACTS

Irrigation Design and Installation Installing irrigation greatly increases the chances of successful establishment. A drip system with emitters placed every five feet and a few inches from the base of each plant is sufficient. Install irrigation after site preparation has been completed and before planting begins. Step 3: Hedgerow Installation Fall is the best time to plant hedgerows. In California, October 15 through November 10 is typically a time when growers can divert attention from harvest to planting habitat. This allows the native plant species to establish deep root systems before the hot and dry summer season begins. This is subject to change based on annual weather events. Plants can be planted linearly to create a hedgerow or in a serpentine fashion which essentially creates parallels of hedgerows. The recommended mix of plants contains species that have a wide range of sizes when they reach maturity. To install these plants in an efficient manner, each species will be categorized as large or small. The exact order or placement of each species doesn’t matter as long as they alternate between small and large. Plants should be spaced five feet apart. Planting should occur as quickly as possible upon delivery. If the project installation happens over multiple days, plans should be made to properly stage unused plants so they can be watered. Each plant should be carefully extracted from the container to ensure the root ball remains undisturbed. The size of each hole will be determined by the size of the plant. Each hole should be about twice the size of the plant’s root ball. Plants can die in as little as eight hours after planting so extra care should be taken to pre-irrigate each hole and/or irrigate immediately after planting. Dry soil will have a desiccating effect on the root zone.

Management 0 to 12 Months After Installation

Regularly surveying the site for weeds is critical during the first year of establishment to prevent weeds from outcompeting the plants before they have fully matured. The more attention spent on weed control and proper irrigation while the plants are still young and vulnerable, the better the habitat will be throughout their lifetime. While native plants require less maintenance over time, the installation of any new habitat will require some attention to ensure its success. 12-24 Months After Installation Surveying for weed re-establishment should continue throughout the lifetime of the project. Management activities, including spot mowing or targeted spot herbicide treatment, should be anticipated to keep control over weeds and prevent re-establishment or spread. However, once the habitat reaches maturity, management actions will be greatly reduced as the desired vegetation will naturally outcompete weeds. Targeted herbicide treatments, like spot spraying resistant weeds, can occur if needed. Irrigation The species recommended for pollinator habitat are native to the Central Valley of California and have evolved to tolerate dry and hot climates. However, installing irrigation dramatically increases the chance of successful establishment, particularly during drought years. Irrigate during the non-rainy months (May - September) for the first two or three years. If experiencing drought, irrigation will also be required during the rainy season (November - April). It should be noted that the first year, and especially the first six months, poses the highest risk for plant survival. The root zone of specimens planted in the fall should remain moist until seasonal rains occur. Once plants reach maturity, adequate irrigation can range from as little as one to three times per month during the dry season (May - September) and zero times per month during the rainy season. The frequency will vary depending on soil types. The following chart serves as a general guideline for how many irrigation events are necessary.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025

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