24
Almond Facts
MARCH | APRIL 2017
Christine Ivory is
Blue Diamond’s
newest field
supervisor, covering Colusa, Yolo, Solano, Yuba
and Sutter Counties. She comes to
Blue Diamond
from Pacific Coast Producers where she worked
as the Northern District Manager. We caught up
with her to learn who she is and what she brings
to
Blue Diamond.
Almond Facts (AF):
Tell our readers a little
about yourself.
Christine Ivory (CI):
I was born and raised in Yuba
City, CA. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame
with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and
returned home after college to thaw out from the Indiana
winters and start a career. I am currently living in Live
Oak, CA on a prune ranch, about a half-mile from the
Sutter Buttes.
AF:
What attracted you to
Blue Diamond
?
CI:
Since I can remember my family has eaten
Blue
Diamond
almonds. Every Christmas we were super excited
to receive a gift pack from one of the local growers and
we would fight over which flavor was the best. When the
opportunity became available to apply for a position at
Blue Diamond
, I jumped at the chance.
AF:
What made you want to become a field supervisor?
CI:
As a cooperative, I believe grower relations is one of
the most important aspects of the organization. As a field
supervisor, I get to work directly with the almond farmers
and continue to foster the relationship between them and
Blue Diamond
.
AF:
Have you always been interested in agriculture?
CI:
I grew up a cannery brat. My grandmother was one
of the first female machinery mechanics for Del Monte
Foods. My parents also worked at the cannery in Yuba
City. I used to make fun of my grandma’s bump caps
and now she gives me a bad time about my bump cap
collection. When I was 14, I began working at a local
peach and pear receiving station and every summer
during high school and college I came home to work there.
Agriculture has always been a part of my life and I enjoy
being able to tell the story of where food comes from.
AF:
What do you do in your free time?
CI:
I enjoy traveling and shopping. I visited 15 countries
and would like to see at least 10 more. I spend a lot of time
with my nephews playing golf or shooting in the range in
my backyard. My 5-month-old black lab puppy is taking
up most of my time right now, as we are attempting puppy
school. My family is very important. Every Sunday we have
dinner at my mom’s house – attendance is required or you
better be really sick or out of town.
AF:
What are you looking forward to the most as you
begin your career as a field supervisor?
CI:
I am really looking forward to working with the team
and becoming part of the
Blue Diamond
family. I had the
opportunity to work with two of the field staff in a previous
job and am excited to work with them again. In my first
couple weeks, the field staff have supported me in every
way and it feels great to be part of such a special group. I
am also honored to work for Mel Machado, a man that is
described in the ag community as the “salt of the earth”.
AF:
Do you have a favorite
Blue Diamond
product?
CI:
I really enjoy all
Blue Diamond
products and can’t
wait to try new ones. But, I must say
Almond Breeze®
Vanilla
and
Smokehouse almonds
are my favorite. The
new conversation at family dinners is what
Blue Diamond
Bold flavor everyone likes best. My sister says Jalapeño
Smokehouse, while the nephews agree on Habañero BBQ.
Meet Your Newest
Field Supervisor,
Christine Ivory
FEATURE
