MARCH | APRIL 2017
Almond Facts
17
for nearly 100 years. As a member
organization, they not only advocate
on
Blue Diamond’s
behalf, but they
represent more than 15,000 farmers
in California. As such, when a
tough issue that has the potential to
negatively affect agriculture comes
up in the legislature, Ag Council can
take a position and negotiate best
possible outcomes for their members.
This top-level advocacy protects their
members’ brands, and in the case of
smaller farmer-owned businesses,
allows their voices to be amplified
much more than if they were to
advocate on their own.
“As a member of Ag Council,
Blue Diamond
joins forces with other
farmer-owned businesses from
throughout the state to play an active
role in California’s public policy
process, both in the in the Capitol
and within the regulatory agencies,”
said Tricia Geringer, vice president
of government affairs for Ag
Council. “In advocacy, there is unity
and strength in numbers, and Ag
Council appreciates
Blue Diamond
’s
membership as we work to find
solutions to the complex issues
facing agriculture.”
Almond Alliance
The organization that further
narrows the advocacy focus on the
almond industry and the specific-
issues that affect California’s almond
growers is the Almond Alliance of
California (AAC), formerly known as
the Almond Hullers and Processor’s
Association. The AAC represents
almond growers, hullers, shellers,
processors and allied industry
members. Their role is to lobby,
advocate and provide other services
including technical assistance,
training, insurance benefits and
group discounts and benefits. As a
complement to the work that the
Almond Board of California does on
the industry’s behalf, AAC is the only
trade association fully dedicated to
advocating and protecting growers’
investment in the almond industry.
“
Blue Diamond Growers
has built a
world-renowned brand and the
Almond Alliance works to help
protect that brand by engaging in
issues on behalf of the industry
as a whole,” said Kelly Covello,
president of Almond Alliance. “We
are committed to protecting your
investment in the almond industry
and the investment you have made
into building a cooperative that is
second to none.”
