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.
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JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025
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