ANNUAL MEETING
CEU Sessions At the annual meeting, Blue Diamond held two grower continuing education seminars focused on general standards of care and local pesticide use updates as well as an overview of almond acreage and economic factors affecting the crop quality and pest management decisions. Speakers included Blue Diamond ’s chief agricultural officer, Mel Machado and representatives from the Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office.
Stronger Together: Driving the Industry Forward This panel, moderated by Matt Efird, Blue Diamond board director and PAC Committee chair, brought together Clarice Turner, president and CEO of Almond Board of California, Alexi Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Almond Alliance, and Alicia Rockwell, Blue Diamond chief government and public affairs officer. The panel discussed the industry’s most pressing challenges from crop estimates and regulatory pressures to trade, tariffs, and global market growth. The team shared how collaborative advocacy and coordinated strategies are strengthening the industry and creating new opportunities for California almond growers.
Industry affairs panel session with Matt Efird, Clarice Turner, Alexi Rodriguez, and Alicia Rockwell
Translating Orchard Stewardship to Market Value Blue Diamond ’s head of sustainability, Dr. Dan Sonke explained how Blue Diamond wins over new customers through growers’ dedicated stewardship practices and how the Orchard Stewardship Incentive Program (OSIP) and the USDA grant impact those practices.
Dan Sonke leads the stewardship session
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ALMOND FACTS
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