New District 6 Director, Nick Blom, of Blom Farms and Blom’s Ranch Inc. “Growing up on the farm meant you were naturally required to help on the farm.” — Nick Blom When Nick Blom was a small child, his dad would hold him on his lap while driving the tractor and eventually noticed that Nick could push the clutch down on his own. This led him to ask, “Well, what am I here for ? ” and Nick began driving the tractor on his own at just five-years-old. And it’s no wonder Blom was a natural since his family has a long history of farming before they immigrated to the U.S. from Holland. In 1969 his father began with grapes, then switched to almonds in the 1970s before becoming a Blue Diamond Grower in 1975.
And the proverbial almond didn’t fall far from the tree. Blom’s eldest son also helped steer the tractor when he was five years old, sitting on his dad’s lap. And he loved spending up to eight hours on the harvester without complaint. After his father’s passing, Nick’s family operation with his mother and brother continued to grow to 1,200 acres of almonds, peaches, grapes, walnuts, alfalfa, and corn. However, almonds remain their main crop. Blom and his wife Kristina joined the Blue Diamond Leadership Program in 1999 and between the two years, they had their first child, so the baby went along to leadership meetings, as well! Part of the reason why Blom appreciates Blue Diamond is because “They’re very consistent with price to the grower,” he said. “They always seem to have innovative thinking as far as marketing and assisting the growers in varieties and growing methods.” He also mentions how nimble the organization is to evolve with the times: “You have to be able to change because if you stand still, you fall behind. Blue Diamond has never stood still. It’s one of those companies that’s looking to the future to make it better. They’re the leader in the industry.” The Blom family always spoke to the importance of being involved in the community. Nick took that to heart by serving as Board member of the Volunteer Fire Department and on the Modesto Irrigation District (MID) Board, which—along with his political connections and experience on school boards and historical societies—are sure to serve the Blue Diamond board well. As far as water is concerned, District 6 has been able to control, protect water rights, and store water properly and successfully. With the presence of Turlock Irrigation District and MID (the first and second irrigation districts in the state) it is no wonder why there are so many farms in the area. We all look forward to Blom sharing his water expertise with Blue Diamond. Nick holds his bachelor’s degree in Ag Education from Fresno State. He and his wife, Kristina, have three children: Annika, Sterling, and Heston.
You have to be able to change because if you stand still, you fall behind. Blue Diamond has never stood still. It’s one of those companies that’s looking to the futureto make it better. They’re the leader in the industry.
0 Jillian VanTassell, Communications Specialist,
Blue Diamond
Growers ,
Sacramento
2 3
J A N U A R Y – F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker