sept-oct-2019

Sowing Into Our Future With Ag Lenders Blue Diamond hosted three back-to-back ag banker seminars in Selma, Salida, and Yuba City. Over 100 attendees learned what the 2019 crop will look like, saw the threats growers face on a production level, and examined how water issues with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) are likely to affect growers. Mel Machado, director of member relations, focused his sessions on analyzed crop projections, limitations, and concerns for the future like water the production process keeping up with ever- increasing demand. Dean LaVallee, chief financial officer, spoke on Blue Diamond ’s value-added business model and how the co-op will produce a superior return for members as it always does. By educating ag lenders, Blue Diamond turns them into advocates for growers by providing in-depth insight into the challenges the industry faces and the victories they often celebrate. Maintaining this partnership is key to the longevity of the almond industry. By giving lenders information specifically on Blue Diamond ’s performance and providing them with credible industry information, they can make their own assessments of the almond market and see for themselves how Blue Diamond stands tall year after year. Participants had nothing but excellent comments about the education they received on the state of the almond industry and the bright future they see in lending to growers within Blue Diamond . “Unlike other co-ops in other industries, Blue Diamond continues to not be the base, but what every competitor strives to be!” NEWS IN A NUTSHELL Blue Diamond Investment Program — Current Investment Rate Available as of October 1, 2019 Blue Diamond Growers currently offers members a short-term investment program. The objective of this program is to serve as a competitive investment alternative for our members and provide Blue Diamond Growers with a steady source of funds. The interest rate is effective October 1, 2019 for the program listed at right: For more information, contact your local Regional Manager, or Member Services at 209.545.6225. This summary does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to purchase investment certificates. We will provide a package of documents for the programs to those members who are California residents and who express an interest in participating in the program. Short-Term Investment Certificate (STIC) Initial Investment Required $1,000 Interest Rate 2.75% 1 2 A L M O N D F A C T S