Waycott, joined by ABC Chair Kent Stenderup and Vice Chair Brian Wahlbrink, kicked off this year’s Conference with the annual State of the Industry address. During the address, Waycott, Stenderup and Wahlbrink discussed the current state and outlook for the California almond industry, including the challenge of marketing the 3 billion pound crop and how the Almond Board is investing in building demand and protecting the reputation of California almonds and almond growers around the globe.
You can view a recording of the address here on ABC’s “The Almond Conference 2020” YouTube playlist.
When Dr. Karen Lapsley arrived at the Almond Board in 1999, there were two published research papers on the benefits of almond consumption. Today, there are 185 and counting. Lapsley, who retired in July 2020, has remained an advising consultant for the Almond Board and was recognized during the State of the Industry address by Stenderup as the “matriarch of nut nutrition” who helped lead the charge to establish California almonds’ health halo worldwide. Thank you, Karen, for your service to the industry and invaluable contributions!
During the Wednesday morning General Session, former U.S. Trade Representative Darci Vetter and former USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden joined ABC’s Julie Adams to discuss how events happening around the world today will impact American agriculture and the California almond industry for years to come. "No one can produce more than U.S. farmers, but having the best product is not enough. You have to be accountable. …Some farmers don’t want to have these conversations, but if they don’t, they may not be farming in a decade,” noted Harden.
Charlie Cook, one of most sought-after pundits in American politics, kicked off the final day of The Almond Conference with an overview of the 2020 election as well as implications for the American political landscape, the nation’s growing partisan divide, and a realistic look at the impacts of a Biden administration on U.S. agriculture. As editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report and political analyst for the National Journal Group, Cook's non-partisan viewpoint on the outcome of the 2020 election is in high demand, but the virtual setting allowed him to join live from his own living room in the Nation’s Capital.
Since 2011, the Almond Board has awarded one outstanding member of the California almond industry with the Almond Achievement Award. This year, during the State of the Industry address, Waycott, Stenderup and Wahlbrink announced Jim Paiva of Riverwest Processing, Inc. as the winner of the 2020 award. Paiva planted his first almond trees in 1970 in Lost Hills and had been involved in all facets of the industry, including processing and farm management, up until his passing on November 20, 2020. The Almond Board of California is proud to recognize Paiva’s years of service and dedication to the California almond industry and sends its sincerest condolences to the Paiva family in Jim’s passing.
With the virtual Conference setting came the opportunity to further engage Conference participants and help them explore as much of the virtual platform as possible, from 149 booths in the virtual trade show to the ability to download ABC resources straight to their desktop, and more. TAC participants had the opportunity to compete against their friends and other Conference attendees to earn as many badges as possible. The opportunity to earn badges impacted participants’ success in the Exhibition Passport Game, which required attendees to visit participating exhibitors and complete specific activities to receive badges and win prizes.
