stability through
Blue Diamond’s
brand, infrastructure,
and innovation pipeline.
Another important promise we deliver on is protecting
growing practices and enriching the lives of those
around us. Being good stewards of our land and
involvement in the community play key roles in our
commitment to sustainability across all aspects of our
cooperative. During the last year,
Blue Diamond
held
its first sustainability panel, which was met with strong,
positive reviews. Growers engaged with the Almond
Board of California through committee participation. I
am also pleased to report that updates were made to
the California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP).
By allowing
Blue Diamond
to segment data from our
growers and build independent reports, we will be able
to share our sustainable practices with business partners
and demonstrate our commitment to the environment.
I urge our grower-owners to participate in CASP and
reach out to your field management team for support.
Contributions to the community are an indispensable
part of
Blue Diamond
. We continue to build a strong
partnership with Future Farmers of America with
our match effort for Giving Tuesday. Last year, this
partnership provided nearly 600 jackets to FFA students
and it is our hope that this year’s investment helped
many more. We also support the future of agriculture
with the
Blue Diamond Growers
Scholarship Foundation.
Sixteen aspiring young men and women were selected
as award recipients for being positive influences for
our industry. Annual fundraisers, like the golf tournament
and the new BBs and Bocce tournament, make these
scholarships possible. Participation from our grower-
owners and industry affiliates in these events help
us to deliver on our promise. I want to thank Charles
Crivelli, Dale Van Groningen, Kevin Fondse, and
George Goshgarian Sr. for their leadership of
the foundation committee.
Good stewardship and citizenship start with grower
engagement and education. Our ability to deliver
on this promise means staying connected to the
cooperative through emails and the grower website to
learn about
Blue Diamond’s
education programs and
issues affecting the industry. Grower-owners build strong
relationships with regional field managers. They are a
valuable resource and direct link to the cooperative.
Thank you to our field management team for your
commitment and the benefits you bring to
Blue
Diamond growers
.
Delivering on our promises requires that the members
of this cooperative remain an engaged community. The
leadership provided by your Board of Directors is a
vital part of
Blue Diamond
. We also cultivate the future
leaders of
Blue Diamond
through the Young Leader
program. This program inspires our young growers to
stand up for their industry and become involved with
the cooperative. I would like to recognize both the
outgoing 21st class of the Young Leader program and
welcome the incoming 22nd class. Let’s continue to
engage and encourage our next generation of growers.
Blue Diamond
is very fortunate
to have so many
growers who
are involved in
our cooperative
and dedicated
to our industry.
This year, I am
honored to
present our very
first Chairman’s
Grower
Ambassador of
the Year award.
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