California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Fruit World Reports High Quality, But Lower Volume, For Early Season Central Valley Stone Fruit

    Fruit World, a family-owned, values-driven grower-shipper of organic and conventional fruit, has been harvesting and shipping delicious organic apricots and cherries since mid-April from their Central Valley orchards. “The March freeze tempered early stone fruit production volumes throughout California, especially compared to the banner year we had in 2021,” explained CJ Buxman, Fruit World co-founder. “Fortunately, the fruit that set is looking good, and all our ranches are yielding great product.”

    Severe weather events this spring impacted California’s cherry crops substantially. “We have been extremely fortunate that our organic cherries from the Patterson area were eleven days earlier than last year and had exceptional quality and a larger peak size. We will finish shipping our cherries by the end of next week with Corals, Brooks and Tulares,” said Fruit World Director of Sales, Cindy Richter.

    As a family operation that is focused on quality and sustainability, Fruit World continues to expand their use of cardboard punnet clamshells. “We have found many of the consumers who are seeking premium fruit, especially organic varieties, are also seeking out more sustainable packaging options,” reveals Bianca Kaprielian, Fruit World co-founder and CEO.

    Grower partnerships have been key to Fruit World’s growth and success. “We are fortunate to have formed long-term relationships with several growers who share our values, dedication to farming, and approach to business,” Kaprielian said. “Blossom Hill’s apricots and Masumoto Family Farm’s peaches and nectarines allow us to provide more varieties, higher volumes and longer seasons of top-notch fruit. They are seamless brand extensions, and fully integrated into the Fruit World family.”

    “No farmer works alone. We depend on partners like organisms in the living soil, good neighbors, talented farm workers, to name a few,” said Nikiko Masumoto, fourth-generation farmer and artist. “Fruit World is one of our loyal partners. We get to focus on what we do best in the fields and Fruit World helps us find a home for our fruit. We couldn’t do it without them!”

    Today’s consumers are thoughtful about the environment and sustainability, and appreciate high-quality fruit packed with flavor. Delight them with extraordinary organic cherries, apricots, peaches and nectarines, all grown by family farms, and available from Fruit World.

    For more information or to place an order, call (559) 650-0334, or visit fruitworldco.com to learn more about the Fruit World story.

  • California Dairy Innovation Center Offers Opportunities For Cheese Education

    The California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC) announced the latest list of short courses which will be offered this year in collaboration with the Pacific Coast Coalition and industry instructors. Dates for an inaugural Dairy Products, Processing, and Packaging Innovation Conference were also announced.

    The Frozen Desserts Innovation short course will be held on June 28th and 29th at the Dairy Innovation Institute, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a focus on capturing consumer trends: sugar-free, lactose-free and high protein. The short course features both lectures, demonstrations and actual ice cream manufacture in the Cal Poly pilot plant and creamery.  In addition, a sales and marketing educational segment will provide practical guidance to entrepreneurs, and established brands alike. Registration is open at: https://dairy.calpoly.edu/short-course-symposia

    The Advanced Unit Operations short course will take place September 27-29. Designed for those working in dairy plants, this course delivers both theoretical and practical understanding and knowledge of pasteurization, separation, condensation, filtration systems, drying, as well as principles of food safety. Program and registration will open June 1.

    The California Dairy Innovation Center, in collaboration with Cal Poly, The Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, Pacific Coast Alliance, and Fresno State will hold a first ever conference on Dairy Products Processing and Packaging Innovation in Shell Beach, Calif, October 12th-14th. Featuring both national and international speakers, the conference focuses on consumer-driven innovation and the latest technological advances. Program outline and registration is open at: https://dairy.calpoly.edu/short-course-symposia

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer, and produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which certifies they are made with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    About the California Dairy Innovation Center

    The California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC) coordinates pre-competitive research and educational training in collaboration with industry, check-off programs, and research/academic institutions in support of a common set of innovation and productivity goals. The CDIC is guided by a Steering Committee that includes California Dairies Inc., California Dairy Research Foundation, California Milk Advisory Board, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Dairy Management Inc., Fresno State University, Hilmar Cheese, Leprino Foods, and UC Davis.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • CA State Fair Announces 2022 Cheese Competition Awards

    After a two year hiatus, the California State Fair Commercial Cheese Competition was held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at Cal Expo. Out of 100 cheese entries from producers throughout the state, the best two cheeses in California have been named.

    Point Reyes Farmstead “Bay Blue”

    The Best of Show Cheese – Cow’s Milk has been awarded to Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company. Inspired by the sheer natural beauty of our coastal climate and locale, Point Reyes Farmstead Bay Blue took the honors. Bay Blue is a rustic-style blue cheese with a natural rind. It is known for its mellow flavor and sweet, salted caramel finish. Bay Blue is made from pasteurized, rBST-free cow’s milk with traditional rennet. It is gluten-free and aged for 90 days. This is their fifth time winning Best of Show for Cow’s Milk.

    Central Coast Creamery “Goat Gouda”

    The Best of Show Cheese – Other Milk Type goes to Central Coast Creamery for their Goat Gouda. This is the producer’s first time winning Best of Show! The Goat Gouda is made from 100% whole goat milk and goat cream, aged on pine wood in a ripening room for at least 5 months. This semi-soft cheese is ivory colored with a smooth mouth feel and the slightly grainy texture of an aged cheese. Goat Gouda has a caramel scent with a slightly nutty and sweet flavor that makes this cheese an ideal choice for your cheese tray, picnic basket, or when pairing with your favorite wine or beer.

    The 16 California cheese companies who entered the competition range from small artisan producers to large-scale cheese production companies. Cheese judges are selected from respected cheese merchants, writers, promoters, and educators. The cheeses are entered by Division and Class and evaluated for appearance, aroma, texture, and taste.

    This year, a panel of 9 official judges tasted and evaluated all 100 California cheeses at Cal Expo on May 11, 2022. You can find a complete list of the award-winning cheeses at CalExpoStateFair.com/California-Commercial-Cheese.

    2022 CA State Fair Commercial Cheese Competition Judges with Commercial Cheese Competition Coordinator, Marilyn Langhorst

    About the California State Fair

    The California State Fair is an international award-winning fair, receiving top honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions out of more than 1,100 fairs world-wide. The California State Fair is dedicated as a place to celebrate the best the state has to offer in agriculture, technology, and the diversity of its people, traditions, and trends that shape the Golden State’s future.

  • Central Valley Farmer Plans to Take Fight Back to D.C. as Congressman

    California agriculture may be on its way to getting better representation in Washington D.C. with John Duarte running for California’s new 13th Congressional District.  A Central Valley native and an active multigenerational farmer, John is no career politician.  Protecting property rights and increasing water storage are among his top priorities. Watch this brief interview with John to see what he plans to bring to the table.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Hundreds of Thousands of Prime CA Farmland Acreage Fallowed this Year Due to Drought

    Farmers and other California residents have been pushing legislature for many years to increase our state’s water storage capacity with no success, and with the “years of plenty” long past, hundreds of thousands of acres of prime farmland will go fallow this year. This will have devastating impacts on our nation’s food supply, local communities and the many families that traditionally worked these fields that will be left uncultivated. Watch this brief interview with Adam Borchard from the California Fresh Fruit Association as he addresses the current situation.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Japanese Consumers Crave California Almonds, Walnuts & Pistachios

    According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, a strong demand for U.S. Tree Nut products continues in Japan, driven by the growing health-oriented trends among Japanese consumers. In 2021, fresh and dried nut imports to Japan totaled $491 million, of which 78.2 percent or approximately $384 million was from the United States. The key market sectors for U.S. Tree Nuts are in bakery and retail, valued at $215.1 million. Almonds and walnuts are almost exclusively supplied by the United States.

    General Information:

    Historically, walnuts and chestnuts were grown wild or cultivated on a very small scale for local consumption. Since Japan started importing nuts in the 1950’s, nuts such as almonds and mixed nuts have been used as a snack to eat with alcoholic drinks or as ingredients for cookies and chocolates. Except for certain walnut production areas, only in recent years have nuts been used for cooking. The Japan Nuts Association was established in 1993, with seventy-three importers and distributors.

    Market Trends:

    Japan has almost no production of nuts, except for very limited production of walnuts (approximately one hundred eighty tons per year). As a result, consumers of nut products rely heavily on imports. The market had been very limited, but stable, because nuts were mostly used as ingredients for the bakery and confectionary industry and the retail price for nuts was relatively higher. Over the past decade, consumption of almonds and walnuts has gradually increased, with imports reaching 42,489 metric tons (MT) (a record high) and 22,527 MT, respectively. Meanwhile, chestnuts have seen dramatic declines in import volumes over the past twenty years. Pistachio imports have been stable but has gradually increased in small amounts over the past couple of years.

    The key market sectors for tree nuts are bakery (55 percent) and retail (33 percent). For confectionary and baking industry, the following processed nut items have been most widely used:

    Walnuts: 1) Raw shelled light-color medium pieces, 2) Raw or roasted shelled light-color small pieces

    Almonds: 1) Blanched powder, 2) whole, 3) Roasted cuts, 4) Sliced

    Pistachios: 1) In-shell, 2) Raw shelled, 3) Praline rolled into paste, 4) Cuts (for topping)

    In the baking sector, walnuts are the most frequently utilized tree nuts, in a variety of bread items and Japanese sweets. In the retail sector, nuts in a 40-55g package or 100g package are popular at convenience stores and supermarkets, and 200g or 500g package are popular at specialty stores, and internet shops. At the retail stores, nuts are placed on the shelf for the baking ingredients and/or the shelf for the snacks. Salted mixed nuts for snacking or accompanied with alcoholic drinks are traditional methods of consumption and still popular in the retail sector. However, unsalted straight nuts are gaining in popularity due to the proliferation of information on the health benefits and versatility in usage for each type of nut. Snack nuts mixed with dry fruits, such as trail mix, are still not common but cereal snack bars, some sold with the Nutritional Supplement Foods label, with nuts and dry fruits have been popular in the Japanese market.

    In the retail sector, mixed nuts are sold best among nuts categories (including peanuts), followed by peanuts and chestnuts. In recent years, Japanese consumers have become more health-conscious and have become more educated on the nutritional benefits both almonds and walnuts provide. Strategic marketing and promotion of the health and beauty benefits have continued to be effective by major television stations as well as on internet and social media sites. Health-related messaging includes key words like omega-3, anti-oxydant, vitamin E, vitamin B, minerals, oleic acid, anti-aging, reducing cholesterol, zero cholesterol, healthy blood vessels, healthy brain, healthy skin, etc. This type of messaging has been key to promoting nuts and nut products to Japanese consumers.

    During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021, sales of nuts and dry fruits increased in the retail sector due to consumer dining changes, from dining-out to dining in the household. Some stores reported between 120-130 percent increased sales and the expansion of shelf space by 10 percent. Overall, snacking became one of the growing trends during the stay-at-home/teleworking environment. “New Snacking” included nuts, dry fruits, and vegetable chips. In addition to this, consumers made shifts to “unsalted” nuts, as a healthier alternative.

    Pistachio’s use as an ingredient is another in-demand product. Major snack/confectionary manufacturers created new snacks using more nuts including pistachios. Major manufacturers including Morinaga and Tirol have new ice cream and chocolate products utilizing pistachios. Major convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and Family Mart created desserts with pistachios, which have also been sold in cafes and at other specialty stores. In addition to this, one of the major specialty store chains KALDI started selling pistachio spread. A pistachio specialty store “Pista and Tokyo” recently opened at one of the premium locations near Tokyo Station, demonstrating the strong popularity pistachios have gained among Japanese consumers. Imports for U.S. pistachios have been flat but have been gradually increasing over time. Import data from December 2020 to November 2021, shows an increase of 146.3 percent compared to the previous year. Approximately 93 percent of total pistachio imports in 2020 were from the U.S., with the rest mostly originating from Iran and Italy.

    Imports of Tree Nuts:

    Each type of nut is imported mainly from a sole exporter because of specific production conditions such as climate, soil, and ability for mass production and quality control. That dependence can cause unstable supplies and prices; and Japanese importers are seeking a wider variety of potential suppliers to fulfill market demand. The United States dominates as supplier of almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, and ships in lesser quantities. Australia supplies the majority of macadamia nuts; chestnuts are imported primarily from China and Korea, while Turkey is the largest supplier of hazelnuts. Cashews and coconuts are sourced mostly from other countries.

    The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA) entered into force on January 1, 2020 and is in year three of enforcement. Following implementation of USJTA, nearly 90 percent of U.S. food and agricultural products imported into Japan are now duty free or receive preferential tariff access. In 2021, Japan imported $491 million in fresh or dried nuts from the world, of which 78.2 percent (approximately $384 million) was from the United States.

    Major Tree Nuts Importers, Processors and Distributors in Japan

    Japan is a very competitive market, and buyers in the food and beverage industry are inundated with meeting requests. Therefore, they often do not respond to “cold calls” or requests for meetings with individual companies. Instead, they prefer to find new products at large trade shows, or specially targeted trade showcases, where they can look at many products at once. Therefore, the best way to find buyers is to participate in one of the food related trade shows or showcases in Japan. The ATO organizes U.S. pavilions at the Supermarket Trade Show in February and FOODEX Japan in March, and many Japanese buyers are invited to stop by the U.S. pavilion to meet with exhibitors. The ATO also supports exhibitors at the shows by providing a market briefing, business meeting lounge, etc. Please contact the ATOs for more information about trade shows. The recommended trade shows featuring USA Pavilions in Japan are as follows:

    -FOODEX Japan in Kansai 2022, July 27-29, 2022, Intex Osaka, Osaka

    -FABEX Kansai 2022, September 7-9 2022, Intex Osaka, Osaka

    -Supermarket Trade Show 2023, February 15-17, 2023, Makuhari Messe, Chiba

    -FOODEX Japan 2023, March 7-10, 2023, Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo

    Contact Information:

    The Japan Nuts Association represents the interests of wholesalers, processors, and trading firms. For their member list, please visit: http://www.jna-nut.org/?page_id=16

    FAS/USDA Offices in Japan

    URL: http://www.usdajapan.org/ Agricultural Trade Office, Tokyo ATOTokyo@ usda.gov

    Tel: + 81-3-3224-5118 Agricultural Trade Office, Osaka ATOOsaka@ usda.gov

    Tel: + 81-6-6315-5904 

    — By Juri Noguchi, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

  • California Avocado Commission Anticipates 286 Million Pound Crop

    The California Avocado Commission (CAC) recently reported the results of their mid-season crop update surveys with their growers and handlers, forecasting a smaller crop than was initially expected. Through use of grower and handler surveys, CAC is able to collect the most up-to-date volume information and anticipated harvest timing. The results are used to inform the industry of the total crop that is expected to come to market and as a guide that helps shape the timing of CAC’s marketing efforts.

    The results forecast a 2022 California crop estimate a 286 million pounds – which consists of 272 million pounds Hass, 8 million pounds Lamb-Hass, 5 million pounds GEM and 1 million pounds of other varieties. This updated volume is a 20-million-pound reduction from the December 2021 handler pre-season estimate of 306 million pounds. The decrease in volume mostly comes from Hass (19 million pounds), however a slight reduction to the Lamb-Hass volume also has been made (1 million pounds).

    Detailed results from the grower and handler survey can be found on CAC’s grower website, as well as revised monthly and weekly harvest projections based on the 286-million-pound crop volume. Please note that projected volume for the beginning of the season, which has already been harvested, does not match weekly actuals, but instead how the four-year average and handler forecasting models projecting a 286-million-pound crop would have come to market (based on the actual monthly volume that was harvested). As we move through the season, Commission staff will continue to track crop harvest and remaining volume closely, ensuring that CAC’s marketing efforts are aligned with when California fruit is in season.

  • May is National Salad Month, Celebrate with More US Grown Salad on the Table

    What is arguably the foundational ingredient in salad? Lettuce! USDA’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture (NIFA) supports research that is leading to stronger, healthier, more disease-resistant lettuce cultivars. See what NIFA is doing to keep healthy, safe salads on the menu for consumers everywhere.

    Current funded projects in California and Illinois include the following:

    The USDA Agricultural Research Service, Pacific West Area, in Albany, California, is working to improve the safety and survival of lettuce during fresh-cut processing and cold storage. Mechanical damage of processed leaf tissue offers new opportunities for the proliferation of E. coli, the main bacterial agent that causes lettuce-linked foodborne outbreaks. Researchers are working to identify lettuce cultivars that effectively reduce population sizes of E. coli upon shredding and cold storage and characterize defense responses on cut tissue.

    The USDA Agricultural Research Service in Berkeley, California, is studying the prevention of pathogen contamination in agriculture water in lettuce production. Researchers are developing and implementing a screening tool to test the effectiveness of sanitizer, antimicrobial resistance and tolerance to oxidizing compounds, and provide recommendations on keeping resistant strains from developing.

    The University of California – Davis is enhancing the use of resources to increase sustainable lettuce production in changing climates. This research project seeks to improve water, nitrogen and phosphate use in lettuce, and determine heat/cold/saline tolerance, to improve lettuce’s resilience. The research findings will be shared with breeders and students.

    The University of Chicago is modifying lettuce by altering its genetic makeup without introducing genetically modified genes. Researchers are using tiny fibers to inject substances that will enable changing the gene content of lettuce.

  • US Department of Labor Penalizes CA Ag Employers $225K for Failure to Meet H-2A Obligations

    Migrant workers in the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program provide critical seasonal labor on farms across California, spending weeks away from home doing the grueling work needed to support the state’s $49 billion agricultural industry.

    The H-2A program allows employers who anticipate a shortage of U.S.-based workers to bring workers here from other countries to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. An ongoing U.S. Department of Labor effort has revealed some California vegetable farms have not been providing H-2A workers with the pay and benefits, and personal protections the law requires.

    In a series of investigations from April 2020 to February 2022 by the department’s Wage and Hour Division, several farms were found to be failing to meet their responsibilities under the H-2A program. The investigations found five farmers failed to provide meals or kitchen facilities, did not pay required inbound and outbound transportation and meal costs, and allowed workers to be transported unsafely. The division also determined some farms shortchanged workers’ wages and failed to provide a contract to workers as required or did not abide by the terms of workers’ contracts.

    The five investigations led to the recovery of $225,114 in back wages for 588 workers, and assessments of $54,617 in penalties. They also yielded findings and administrative settlements with the following employers:

    • Adam Bros Farming in Santa Maria: Failed to provide meals or kitchen facilities, transportation and meal costs. Did not provide contract at time of hire, failed to pay all required wages and unlawfully deducting meal costs, including when meals were not provided. Failed to comply with other state and federal law. The employer paid $94,146 in back wages to 30 employees, and $7,862 in penalties.
    • Boavista Farms in Santa Maria: Failed to pay required inbound and outbound transportation and meal costs. Did not provide contract at time of hire and failed to pay all required wages and comply with other state and federal law. Boavista Farms was ordered to pay $43,297 in back wages to 28 employees, and $5,361 in penalties.
    • Profresco Inc. in Santa Maria: Failed to pay all required inbound and outbound transportation and meal costs, and transportation failed to meet safety requirements. Failed to satisfy requirements of the job order by not stating actual terms and conditions and failed to comply with other state and federal law as applicable. Profresco Farms paid $50,789 in back wages to 471 employees, and $7,505 in penalties.
    • SARC in Nipomo: Failed to pay inbound transportation and meal costs and made improper deductions for meals and unpaid hours worked. Did not ensure health and safety standards, and prepared meals failed to meet local health standards causing some workers to become ill after consuming spoiled lunch. SARC also failed to provide personal protective equipment and supplies to workers. The employer paid $34,996 in back wages to 42 employees, and $13,160 in penalties.
    • Togliatti Farms LLC in San Martin: Failed to pay for required inbound transportation and did not pay the required rate of pay. Failed to maintain required records and did not comply with pay statement requirements. Failed to contact former U.S. employees to solicit their return to the job as required and did not post H-2A information visibly for workers to see. Provided housing that failed to meet safety and health requirements. Togliatti Farms was ordered to pay $1,885 in back wages to 17 workers, and $20,729 in penalties. The employer also agreed to future compliance and paid all monetary liabilities.

    “Employers that benefit from the H-2A guest worker program must be aware of all their responsibilities,” said Wage and Hour Regional Administrator Ruben Rosalez in San Francisco. “Agricultural workers employed under the H-2A program must be paid as their contracts require and be provided with what they need to live and work safely while contributing critical labor to California’s agriculture industry.”

    Nationally, the Wage and Hour Division investigated 735 cases with H-2A violations in the last two fiscal years.These investigations recovered $9,092,624 in back wages for 13,408 workers and assessed $9,520,624 in civil penalties from employers for violations of federal labor laws.

    For more information about farmworkers’ rights and laws enforced by the division, contact its toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). The division enforces the law regardless of a worker’s immigration status and can speak confidentially with callers in more than 200 languages. Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the division.

  • Sustainable Food Systems and Farm Security Among Topics Covered at 2022 Animal Ag Alliance Summit

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance held its 2022 Stakeholders Summit recently, themed “Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here.” The dynamic event, which returned to an in-person format for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, brought together a diverse audience of over 260 attendees to Kansas City, Mo. and included an additional 125 registered virtual attendees. Speakers covered topics including environmental stewardship, food equity, influencer engagement and animal rights extremism.

    Jack Bobo, CEO of Futurity, kicked off the Summit in a keynote session opening attendees’ minds to consider if animal agriculture can save the planet. Bobo discussed beliefs that the food system is broken, which he said stem from issues with food security and equity. He countered that if things are broken, that usually means they were better in the past. In the case of our food system, he stated, “Things are not bad and getting worse; things are good and getting better – just not fast enough.” Bobo finished with, “If we get it right, agriculture can, in fact, save the planet.” Registered dietitian and author Diana Rodgers touched on the food system as well in her session on sustainable nutrition. Diana highlighted the importance of meat, milk, poultry and eggs in a nutritious diet as they are high-quality protein sources and provide essential nutrients that would be hard to replace if these foods were removed from our plates. Rodgers added that we cannot take meat away from people who depend on it for their nutrition or food security.

    Influencer engagement, which has been a growing trend used to reach more people through partnerships and collaborations with those who have already developed a strong following and community, was discussed by several speakers as a way to more effectively communicate messages about sustainability, animal welfare and other hot topics. Former Google executive Steve Lerch of Story Arc Consulting said if you’re not front and center on the platforms consumers care about, they will find somewhere else to get their information. Some of the tips he shared to achieving more influence were to “pay attention to the things your targets are paying attention to” and take advantage of trends in pop culture. In a panel of farmer influencers, speakers stressed the importance of all types of advocacy efforts in bridging the communication gap. “There is no one right way to do advocacy,” said Brandi Buzzard, Kansas cattle rancher and social media influencer. Speakers encouraged attendees to not be afraid to try something new as long as they don’t put down their fellow advocates while doing it. Speakers shared sentiments that doing so creates division between fellow advocates and turns customers off to animal agriculture as a whole.

    Tying into the Alliance’s mission of safeguarding the future of animal agriculture, Thursday morning’s sessions highlighted how we can do just that. On a panel about trends in activism and security resources, Rebecca Morgan of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center told attendees, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure…the most effective measures are often the simplest and least expensive.” Cybersecurity advisor Andrew Rose added that it’s important to remember even the most well-thought-out plans will have holes in them but running through them in advance can help you identify those weak points. In a legal and legislative update session, experts discussed some of the primary issues on the docket and what attendees can do to help. California Proposition 12 and Massachusetts Question 3 were among the issues mentioned. Attorney Brianna Schroeder of Janzen Schroeder Agricultural Law said, “What’s happening on the west coast moves east…stay active and stay in communication with your local legislators.”

    Tricia Sheehan of Dairy Management Inc. and Iowa Soybean Association’s Aaron Putze rounded out the Summit. Sheehan led a crisis communications interactive workshop, which included a realistic and unexpected protest scenario. Sheehan’s team mimicked common tactics used by animal rights extremist organizations to get attendees considering what they would do in a similar scenario. Sheehan walked through the important components of a crisis communications plan and allowed attendees to put it into practice with an interactive example. In his closing keynote, Putze encouraged the audience to take what they’ve learned in the Summit sessions and apply it moving forward with “mindset relationship.” “What we do matters, but more importantly, it’s how we do it that matters,” he said. Putze recommended prioritizing what’s important over what’s urgent with a focus on being courteous, treating others with dignity, and treating others with respect.

    A highlights report with key takeaways and quotes from each session will be available soon at www.animalagalliance.org. Save the date for the 2023 Summit, slated for May 4-5 in Arlington, Virginia! Stay tuned to #AAA23 for updates.

    About the Alliance:

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

    Find the Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.