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Almond Facts
NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016
Citing
Blue Diamond’s
“calm actions rather than chaotic reaction” to a dramatic price plunge amid
market turbulence during the 2015-2016 crop marketing season as the key elements in price recovery,
Board Chairman Dan Cummings, speaking to the Young Leader graduating class of 2016, said, “Those
actions speak to our cooperative’s century of leadership in bringing calm actions to industry changes.”
Cummings spoke of renewed plantings and record crops
for all nut crops in a sharp rebound from last year’s market
turmoil. As a result, he said, we are doubling resources
for our Almond Innovation Center to develop even more
high-margin outlets for your crops. We intend to continue
to be the industry leader in processing and marketing, and
grower returns.”
The Class of ‘16 gathered for a graduation dinner the
evening before the annual growers’ meeting in Modesto
on November 16. Seventeen young growers and seven
financial services representatives attended to receive
their certificates of completion. The class had visited the
state capitol to meet with legislators and advocates for
agriculture, toured
Blue Diamond’s
Sacramento, Salida
and Turlock plants; met with
Blue Diamond
executives and
staff to learn about almond processing and marketing,
and visited two tree nurseries to see how almond trees
are propagated.
Asked to tell the dinner gathering what stood out most
in their year in the program, the graduates highlighted
product innovation, co-op interaction with growers,
dedication of the staff to their jobs and the growers,
the impact of government regulations and policies on
agriculture, and “seeing how almond growing, processing
and marketing all come together.”
Jerry Rai, young leader from Selma in District 8, felt it
was “a great experience learning how the co-op works and
meeting the people – their knowledge is amazing!”
Steve Van Duyn, board member and chairman of the
Young Leader Program, thanked the graduates for their
participation and commitment, and encouraged them
to stay involved in
Blue Diamond
activities and leadership
roles. He pointed out that more than 500 growers have
completed the Young Leader Program and that three
current members of the board are graduates of the
program: Chairman Dan Cummings, Steve Van Duyn
and Kevin Fondse.
Board member Fondse thanked retiring board members
Clinton Shick and Elaine Rominger, and former board
member Gerry Rominger, “for their support of the Young
Leader Program from its inception. Their foresight and
leadership were instrumental in getting the program started
and becoming the success that it is.”
“Calm Action” Sets Example
CFBF President Lends Advice to Young Leaders
