JULY | AUGUST 2016
Almond Facts
13
Young
Leaders
Visit
Capitol Hill
Two Young Leader participants
represented
Blue Diamond Growers
at the NCFC Washington D.C.
conference. Claire Brumley (class of
2016) and Zachary Reinstein (class of
2015) joined
Blue Diamond’s
Director
of Corporate Communications Alicia
Rockwell and President and CEO
Mark Jansen to attend the conference
and meet with congressional leaders
and federal agencies.
“The candid interaction and free flow of
information regarding the agricultural
industry, varying regulations, water
issues, trade agreements, and various
other topics was quite fun,” said Young
Leader Claire Brumely. “One of the
most important roles we as leaders
within the agricultural industry have
is educating those who don’t have the
same background and allowing them to
see the important role agriculture plays
in California, the U.S. and the world.”
During the four-day event, the group
met with representatives including
Congressman Doug LaMalfa,
Congressman Ami Bera and Chairman
of the House Committee on Agriculture
Congressman Frank Lucas discussing
almonds, agriculture and the issues
facing both industries.
“Participation from our Young
Leaders and growers on the federal
and state level is vital to telling
Blue
Diamond’s
story to our lawmakers,” said
Rockwell. “Our growers have a rich
agricultural tradition that lawmakers
really connect with.”
Cooperative representatives meet
with California Congressman Doug
LaMalfa (center).
Oklahoma Congressman Frank
Lucas (center) spoke with the
group about agricultural issues.
John Rice (center), a representative of the USDA Foreign Agricultural
Service, discussed the Market Access Program with the team.
