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
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JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2025
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