NEWS IN A NUTSHELL
Cooperative Welcomes 21st Class of Young Leaders
District 4 growers Matt and Kendra Fields (pictured below)
of Ripon recently learned how the structure and operations
of
Blue Diamond Growers
helps support the almond
industry in California. The Fields were two of the thirty
young leaders who met in Sacramento for the first of
three sessions in the Young Leaders Program.
The 21st annual program began with a full day of
presentations that covered topics from current legislative
and water issues to development of a successful farming
business. Joining the young leader class this year were
Assemblymembers Heath Flora (R-Ripon) and Rudy Salas
(D-Bakersfield). Their interactive discussions helped to
reinforce the importance of becoming an advocate for
the industry and expressed the importance of effective
communication.
“Writing to your legislators does make a difference,” said
Assemblymember Rudy Salas. “It’s important to tell me
how a bill affects you, your families and your business —
what the direct impact will be.”
The class ended the day with a chance to meet members
of the
Blue Diamond
Board of Directors — four are
former graduates of the young leader program — and
hear from keynote speaker Assemblywoman Anna
Caballero (D-Wastonville), who highlighted the need for
California to produce its own food.
“This becomes a national security issue,” said
Assemblywoman Anna Caballero. “There is this belief
that the water is being shipped to the Central Valley and
there is misinformation. It’s really going to be important
that the ag industry start telling its story about how
important the production of agriculture is in this state.”
The following day, the class visited the
Blue Diamond
Sacramento campus for meetings with key team members
who shared insights into the cooperative’s business
operations including marketing, grower delivery testing
and innovation.
The 21st class of the Young Leader Program will attend
their second session in June to continue growing their
knowledge and exposure to the almond industry.
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