Blue Diamond Almond Facts March-April 2021

NEWS IN A NUTSHELL Meet Your Newest Regional Manager, Meggie Gilbert Almond Facts (AF): What attracted you to Blue Diamond ? Meggie (M): My father has been a Blue Diamond grower since the 1980s and his passion for the land, as well as growing the highest quality crop possible attracted me to work for Blue Diamond . Also, he had some incredible regional managers along the way that became a part of our family (Bob Ketcher, Mel Machado, and others) and I never forgot what an important role they played in advising my father on his crop each year. AF: What made you want to become a field supervisor? M: The opportunity to work with growers daily, understand their concerns and issues, and help identify solutions to those daily challenges. In my previous roles at other companies, I was several layers removed from the grower and I missed the daily interactions with growers as well as watching the crop develop from start to finish. AF: Have you always been interested in agriculture? M: Yes, I was blessed to have parents that engaged me in 4-H at a young age. I enjoyed the friends I met, speaking competitions, and county fairs where my sisters and I showed with the 4-H program. My high school ag teachers helped continue the spark or my passion for agriculture as I was involved with FFA at the local, sectional, and regional level. Finally, in college, I took a Plant Pathology class which opened my eyes to the “Pathway to PCA Program” and helped steer me toward a career in the crop protection industry. AF: What do you do in your free time? M: I love coaching my kids’ sports teams or playing golf with my husband, Mike. My kids are: Savannah (9), Mitchell (6), and Siena (4). AF: What are you looking forward to the most as you begin your career as a field supervisor? M: Meeting the Blue Diamond growers and learning about their family’s history and agriculture roots. Every grower has a story to tell, and I am excited to listen, learn, and be a part of their future growing seasons. AF: Do you have a favorite Blue Diamond product? M: Yes, I love Vanilla Almond Breeze ® with my protein shakes and the Wasabi & Soy Sauce Flavored Almonds. AF: Anything else you would like to share with our growers? M: I am very excited to be a part of the BDG family; and look forward to meeting with all of you. 1 0 A L M O N D F A C T S