NEWS IN A NUTSHELL
Blue Diamond Growers Member Relations Re-Organization For many Blue Diamond members, the first, and occasionally only contact with cooperative management is through their Regional Manager. The local Regional Manager serves as the day-to-day liaison between Blue Diamond’s management and the member/growers on their farming operations providing a wealth of information, covering all facets of almond production to the member community.
Throughout the history the Blue Diamond Growers cooperative, the legacy of our field staff is quite rich. Daryl Brun, Rob Kiss, Dave Baker, Bob Ketcher, Steve Rothenberg and Gerry Guthrie each served growers in their areas for 25 to 30 years and are renowned for their expertise in almond production. Recent years have brought about significant changes in Blue Diamond operations. Industry acreage continues to grow and annual production either challenges or surpasses previous records nearly every year. The increasing statewide production necessitated a review of Blue Diamond operations and marketing programs, ultimately driving the cooperative to close membership. This allowed Blue Diamond to optimize its operations on all levels, maximizing production efficiencies within the plants while expanding marketing programs. All efforts focus on the cooperativeʼs mission – to maximize the return to the growers who entrust Blue Diamond with their almonds. The evolution of Blue Diamond ’s strategic direction also brought about a change in the role of the Regional Manager. While Field Staff at one point had a primary role in recruiting growers to join the cooperative, with membership closure, other activities have assumed greater priority. These activities, in the form of “Strategic Initiatives” serve to minimize risks to the cooperative’s operations and maximize value to the membership. Examples of the initiatives include: •Delivery Quality Working with huller/shellers to minimize chipped and broken kernels. Presentations to grower groups and Pest Control Advisors to minimize reject levels.
•Sustainability Enrolling members in the California Almond Sustainability Program and the Blue Diamond Sustainability Incentive Program. •Social Media Identifying and providing support to growers who wish to participate in social media outreach campaigns to promote almond growing and the cooperative and connect growers to consumers and the general public. •Mapping Identifying member orchards on Land IQ base maps to facilitate production risk analysis. During 2020 & 2021, a full Member Relations program review was completed utilizing the services of an external consultant, with input from Blue Diamond management, the Board of Directors, current and former Regional Managers, and Blue Diamond members. The central purpose of the review was:
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