The year promises specialized trainings, hands-on experiences and accelerated knowledge and growth for 18 aspiring leaders of the California Almond industry. 
Last month, Almond Board of California (ABC) introduced the 2018 Almond Leadership Program class. Perhaps one of the most diverse Leadership classes in the program’s 10 years, this group represents multiple facets of the almond industry, from growers, PCAs and food safety specialists to a staffing consultant, marketing brand and sales expert and a grant writer.
“The professionalism and passion of the 2018 Almond Leadership Program class is impressive!” said Jenny Nicolau, manager, Industry Relations, ABC. “This year’s class has such a great mix of backgrounds, skills and interests. I have no doubt that this class will achieve every goal they set their mind to.”
During the year, the class will complete specialized trainings in a wide variety of topic areas, such as food safety, biomass utilization, honey extraction and nutrition research. Hands-on experiences will include time spent at nurseries and almond orchards, a U.S. Department of Agriculture research facility and other venues including the Port of Stockton and the Madera Children’s Hospital.
“We as Almond Leadership Participants have access to a diverse wealth of knowledge and experiences not only form the current class but also from the previous nine classes that share a huge passion for the almond industry,” said participant Jon Collison, Yara North America.
In addition to multiple in-the-field experiences and a special project, participants will be paired with 18 leading industry members who will provide mentorship and insights throughout the year.
Passion, growth and impact
Holly King, Triple Crown Holdings, LP, is in her third year of mentoring Leadership participants. For King, “engaging with future leaders of the California Almond industry through the Leadership Program is a gift, a gift offering energy, inspiring passion, sparking curiosity and providing new perspective.”
“It is addictive,” said King. “The class comes from all sectors of the industry, meaning they will not only learn from the curriculum, they will gain an opportunity to learn from each other throughout their careers.”
Participants will also grow in their professionalism as they advance in their communication skills and gain a clear understanding of current social, political, scientific and economic issues facing the almond industry. At the end of the year, each participant will present their findings from a year-long self-directed project designed to advance industry knowledge, and one participant will be chosen to present their project at The Almond Conference 2018.
By the end of 2018, participants will have a firm understanding of what it means to be a leader in their field and in the greater almond community. Their responsibilities will extend beyond the almond industry.
During their orientation meeting, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross visited the Almond Board to offer a charge to the 2018 Leadership class:
“You have to help lead all of agriculture.”
Ross encouraged the 18 participants to not only progress in their areas of expertise and help improve the California Almond community, but also to build their local communities and help maintain the social and environmental health of the land they love.
The Leadership class already has a head start on Ross’s charge as participants set a goal of raising $20,000 for California Future Farmers of America scholarships.
Lifelong memories
“Ag is more than a career – it truly is a lifestyle,” said Nicolau at a session on the Leadership program during last year’s Almond Conference. The session, titled “The Almond Leadership Program: Where’s It’s Taken Me,” included a panel of past Leadership participants who attested to what Nicolau refers to as an “industry knowledge transfer” that takes place during the course of the program.
During the session, panelist Sim Batth, a 2015 Leadership participant and one of this year’s mentors, shared that the program provides a unique opportunity to “spend time with individuals who are so passionate about what they do.” Panelist and 2009 Leadership alum Micah Zeff echoed Batth’s experience, and for him, the Leadership program “is an investment…in motivated individuals who want to be active and get involved with this industry.”
Nicolau looks forward to spending time with these 18 motivated industry members throughout the year. Beyond watching the participants deepen their understanding of how assessment dollars are at work and how the Almond Board of California’s committees and Board structure guides the industry into the future, Nicolau is most excited about watching the creation and growth of the many life-long friendships this class will forge.
“No doubt,” said Nicolau, “twenty, thirty, forty years from now, we will look around the industry and see our greatest industry leaders as graduates from the Almond Leadership Program, and they will look at one another and see decades of service and friendship.”
Members of the 2018 Almond Leadership class, left to right: (top row) Alec Pacini, JSS Almonds; Andrew Baker, Pacific Coast Sales; Anthony Sagariballa, The Almond Company; Cristina Davis, PrideStaff Financial; Clayton Whitehead, Fruit Growers Supply; Brad Larsen, Olam Farming Inc.; (middle row) Erin Clem, ADM – Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts; Blaine Salisbury, South Valley Farms; Jack McCarthy, Gold Leaf Farming; Jon Collison, Yara North America; Josh Krueger, Semios; Kelli Evans, Evans Farming; (bottom row) Mackenzie Souza, JKB Energy; Mark Sherfy, D & J Farm Management, LLC; Micah Keith, Blue Diamond Almonds; Nas Chaudhary, Chaudhary Almond Ranch; Sullivan Grosz, Pearson Realty; Timothy DeGroot, Gar Tootelian Inc.
