California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • Christine Lott Joins California Walnut Board & Commission as Director of Communications

    The California Walnut Board & Commission is pleased to announce Christine Lott as their new Director of Integrated Communications.  Christine comes to the Board & Commission with extensive communications and product marketing experience having worked for thirteen years at Blue Diamond Growers as the senior global brand manager.  She led the marketing department for the international consumer division, which encompasses all branded products available in retail stores under the Blue Diamond brand in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. This division included milks (Almond Breeze), snack nuts, and various other nut-based products. In this role Christine, developed and implemented marketing programs, digital and social media, public relations programs.

    Most recently Christine worked in new business development for Safe Food Alliance (SFA).  Previously, Christine worked for the California pear industry, the California Cherry Board and Stemilt World Famous Fruits. She coordinated the marketing and promotion activities which included advertising, public relations, industry communications, event coordination and sales promotion, category management, ad planning, merchandising and promotion tactics targeting major retail grocery chains throughout the US and Canada to build partner relationships and generate incremental sales.

    She has a consumer-focused mindset which aligns with the Board & Commission’s efforts in retail category management and volume growth through sales activation, one of their strategic initiatives.  In addition, Christine’s hands on experience in new product launches of fresh and manufactured foods will be an asset as the Board & Commission expands another strategic initiative in product innovation for the food manufacturing/ingredient and foodservice channels.

    Christine has a great appreciation and respect for the complexities in agriculture and for family farms, having been raised on a California dairy farm. “Combined with her 20 years of extensive food marketing and communications experience and work on behalf of growers throughout her career, Christine, has the background, experience, and knowledge to help shape and deliver our integrated consumer, industry, and product communications platform,” shared Robert Verloop, President/CEO of the California Walnut Board & Commission.  “Please join me in welcoming Christine to our industry and the California Walnut Board & Commission.”

    Christine will work in the Folsom office and can be reached at 916-932-7070 or clott@walnuts.org.

  • Organic Trade Association to Host Organic Week on Capitol Hill

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased to be hosting Organic Week, its annual flagship event, on May 14-16 in Washington, D.C., featuring two days of critical discussions on the issues and opportunities facing the organic sector and a day of advocating for organic on Capitol Hill. The event offers the organic community a once-a-year chance to come together, brainstorm, and help chart the way forward for organic.

    The gathering of the organic industry comes at a pivotal time for the organic sector. Organic is now a $67 billion industry, a high-level mark. But with this growth comes new questions about how to effectively accelerate and sustain the momentum of the movement.

    In keynote speeches, panel discussions and special break-out sessions, dozens of organic industry leaders and policy makers will take a close look at organic’s most pressing issues and priorities. Experts will explore current trends in the organic marketplace, the impact of competing labels and claims, federal and private actions to boost organic production, steps to ensure continuing improvement in organic standards, strategies to navigate the political environment of a Farm Bill and national election year, and much more.

    “Organic Week is a unique opportunity for our members and organic stakeholders to join forces to keep organic advancing,” said Tom Chapman, co-CEO of OTA. “Organic is confronting some deep challenges now, but the sector also has untapped opportunities to appeal to today’s health-focused and environmentally conscious consumers and educate them about the full scope of the benefits of organic.”

    “Organic is a movement, one that prioritizes sustainable business practices, accountability, trust and transparency to consumers,” said Matthew Dillon, co-CEO of OTA. “Organic Week is the chance for organic stakeholders to connect, share ideas, hear from the experts and use their collective muscle to help organic expand.”

    Conference highlights 

    Keynote speakers at the conference include top government officials and organic industry leaders. The latest data on the U.S. organic market will be released, and for the first time at Organic Week, breakout sessions homing in on specific organic categories will be offered.

      • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has been invited to speak about USDA’s investment in organic agriculture to grow the sector, and its steps to maintain strong and evolving organic standards.
      • Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, will brief on USDA’s Organic Market Development Grants which are designed to address the critical need for new market pathways in organic,  Jennifer Tucker, Deputy Administrator of USDA’s National Organic Program, will update on USDA’s new Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule, the most significant change to organic regulations since their inception, and John Berge, Deputy Administrator of Farm Programs for USDA’s Farm Service Agency, will discuss USDA’s efforts to support organic farmers and programs USDA is implementing to support the organic dairy sector.
      • John Foraker, CEO and Co-founder of organic baby food maker Once Upon a Farm, will share valuable insights on how organic can amplify its value and expand access to more households.
      • Other industry leaders appearing in the program include: Nicole Atchison, CEO of PURIS, the innovative maker of plant-based foods and ingredients; Stevn Shephard, CEO of the organic poultry producer Farmer Focus; Hobbs Wolcott, President of the global organic ingredient distributor Tradin Organic USA; Paul Schiefer, President of the iconic Amy’s Kitchen, and more.
      • Eduardo Cuoco, Director of IFOAM Organics Europe, will talk about Europe’s ambitious organic action plan and what insights the U.S. can gain from the European strategies.
      • The top findings of OTA’s 2024 Organic Industry Survey will be released. Spearheaded by OTA for more than 20 years, this closely followed survey is regarded as the most comprehensive measure of the American retail certified Organic market.
      • Organic agricultural outlook sessions will be featured on Day 1 of Organic Week. These breakout sessions are designed specifically for businesses and farmers navigating the organic market’s evolving landscape, and will explore vital subjects at the sector level.

    And more: Awards, a run and Capitol Hill advocacy 

    The trade association’s Annual Organic Leadership Awards reception will be held on May 14. This always inspiring event recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding leadership and vision in furthering the goals of the organic movement.

    Day 2 of Organic Week will kick off with a 5k loop around the National Mall. This CLIF BAR sponsored event is a great opportunity to exercise, see iconic D.C. monuments and have casual conversation with Organic Week participants, as well as Administration and other Hill staff.  Register here to attend.

    Organic Week concludes with a full day of advocacy on Capitol Hill when dozens of OTA members will meet with U.S. lawmakers to share how and why they should support organic. This day of Hill Visits is one of the most impactful ways an OTA member can make a difference on behalf of the entire organic industry.

    The Organic Week headquarters hotel will be the Park Hyatt D.C. hotel, where all activities will be based. Registration for Organic Week is open. Register here for the event.

    For Organic Week sponsorship opportunities, contact Cassandra Christine at cchristine@ota.com.

    About the Organic Trade Association

    The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing more than 500 organic businesses across 50 states and 9,500 farmers through its Farmers Advisory Council. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace.

  • California Dairy Innovation Center Announces Schedule of Training Opportunities

    The California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC) will be hosting Spring and Summer training programs for processors, producers, dairy industry professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and students as well as health professionals. The courses, which have no pre-requisites, will be held at a variety of California locations and are open to all participants.

    The schedule of courses includes:

    Dairy Foods Technology 101 will take place May 30, 2024, in Novato, Calif. This course is a free educational event open to all California dairy processors and end-users, dairy entrepreneurs, producers, faculty and students in food science, agribusiness, and related fields, as well as qualified suppliers to the industry. It is ideal for individuals who are early in their careers in dairy products processing, entrepreneurs, and employees in production, operations, management, sales and marketing, research and development, and quality assurance roles within the industry.

    This course aims to educate attendees on the intricate processes behind dairy products creation, from the fundamentals of milk production to key unit operations for fluid milk, cream, butter, cheese, cultured products and concentrated or dried dairy products, as well as sensory science and food safety. Led by industry experts, participants can expect to learn about the science involved in turning dairy milk into classic as well as innovative dairy products, gain a solid understanding of processes and the importance of these steps to ensure quality and safety. Attendees will have the chance to engage in interactive demonstrations, ask questions, and network with fellow participants who share their passion for dairy.

    No pre-requisites are required. To receive a detailed program, information on area hotels, and to register, send name (or that of any participating employees), title(s), company name, phone number and email(s) to vlagrange@cmab.net or nvanbuskirk@cmab.net by May 25th. Full program details about the workshop can also be found on the CDIC website at cdic.net.

    Yogurts, Fermented Milks and Probiotic Dairy Products, which will take place June 20-21, 2024, at UC Davis is a collaboration between the CDIC, UC Davis, Dairy Council of California, and the California Dairy Research Foundation. During the course, attendees will learn from leading experts who possess extensive experience and expertise in dairy science, nutrition, and food innovation. This course will not only cover the fundamentals of processing but will also highlight the latest nutrition research and product innovations shaping the sector, market trends and opportunities.

    During the course, attendees can expect to delve into such topics as:

    • Latest research on the nutritional benefits of probiotics and fermented milk products.
    • Market trends, types of fermented milks and market opportunities for California processors.
    • Fundamental principles of milk fermentation and yogurt production.
    • Innovations in processing technologies and product development, including lactose-free, clean label and reduced sugar products.

    The course is designed for dairy industry professionals, dietitians and nutritionists, food scientists, researchers, educators, and individuals interested in expanding their understanding of fermented dairy products. With a blend of lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and lab tours on campus, participants will gain practical insights and valuable knowledge that can be applied in both academic and industry settings. The event is modular, and registration covers all three sessions, meals and refreshments, and a networking reception. For more information, please contactvlagrange@cmab.net or nvanbuskirk@cmab.net.

    There are no pre-requisites required. Registration (free for health professionals) and additional information can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/short-course-yogurt-fermented-milks-and-probiotic-dairy-products-tickets-867978094847.

    Save the Date:

    Advanced Cheesemaking: July 16-17. This two-day practical, hands-on course will take place at the Dairy Products Technology Center, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

    Registration: https://dairy.calpoly.edu/short-course-symposia

    2nd Annual Innovation Workshop & State of the Industry: September 12, at Fresno State.

    Registration: www.cdic.net

    Hispanic, Italian and Mediterranean Cheeses: October 8-9. This practical course will feature international cheese varietals and will take place at the Dairy Products Technology Center, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

    Registration: https://dairy.calpoly.edu/short-course-symposia

    Short course and conference programs are co-organized with California Milk Advisory Board’s CDIC, with partial funding and contributions from Dairy Management Inc., the USDA’s Pacific Coast Coalition Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (hosted by Fresno State) and CMAB. Programs are subject to change. For more info about the CDIC and its educational opportunities, contact vlagrange@cmab.net.

    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. More info at:https://www.cdic.net/

    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.

  • Season Opener Public Relations Event in San Diego County Spreads News of California Avocado Availability

    California Avocado Commission — California avocado growers in the San Diego region are among the first to harvest their fruit, providing local grocers and consumers with a first taste of the season’s fresh crop. To generate excitement and build awareness among San Diego area shoppers about the start of the California avocado season, the California Avocado Commission invited nine well known San Diego-focused influencers on a grove tour and retail sampling event.

    The Commission partnered with social media personalities recognized for their interest in great food, healthy lifestyles, sustainability focus and a talent for showcasing unique San Diego opportunities their followers can try for themselves. The influencers included Sophie Chu, Ashely Diedenhofen, Ellie Ferdowsi, Sierra Georgistis, Jas Grover, Arianna Kotlier, Reyna Pizarro, Robin Plotnik and Marie Reginato.

    Starting in the early morning in Del Mar, the influencers traveled to Fairfield Farms in Pauma Valley and enjoyed an informative session about California avocados, sustainable production, grower histories and the upcoming season. Upon their arrival, California avocado grower Spencer Steed took the influencers on a walking and wagon tour of the grove, providing an overview of the operation, his family’s agricultural background and the organic and sustainable growing practices they employ. As influencers toured the grove and picked fresh California avocados, they captured the moments with creatively staged photography that were shared across their social channels to help announce the start of California avocado season.

    After the tour, the social media personalities visited the Del Mar location of CAC retail partner for the event, Gelson’s, and participated in the year’s first California avocado sampling event. California avocado grower and packer Jessica Hunter (Del Rey Avocado Company) and Andy Lyall (Lyall Family Farms) were on hand to share their own growing experiences as the influencers captured additional photos and video.

    Each of the influencers shared their unique behind-the-scenes California avocado grove tour and sampling experiences with their followers in a visually captivating manner, coupling the imagery with messaging that celebrated the start of the California avocado season, the locally grown nature of the fruit and the sustainable farming practices of the growers.

    By partnering with hyperlocal San Diego social media influencers with large followings, the Commission was able to effectively target consumers in regions where they could purchase some of the first California avocados of the season. The campaign, which will continue in the weeks ahead, is expected to generate 1.5 million impressions and build demand for and excitement about the upcoming season.

    Additional public relations activity is also now underway in other key California avocado markets and will be reported on at a later date.

  • Dairy Council Announces 2024 Let’s Eat Healthy Award Winners

    Dairy Council of California, a leader in nutrition education and advocacy, is proud to announce the winners of its fifth annual Let’s Eat Healthy Award. In support of its cause to elevate the health of children and communities through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating patterns, the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative is honoring seven California nutrition champions. The award recognition program is a highlight of the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative, which brings together educators, health professionals and community leaders to coordinate, collaborate and co-create opportunities for community health.

    “The Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative exemplifies the essential collaboration required to bolster the health of children, families and communities. This year’s leadership award winners are champions making a profound impact by enhancing nutrition education, promoting access to nutritious foods and engaging in farm-to-school initiatives that educate on the vital contributions the California dairy community provides in supplying nutritious, local and sustainable foods,” stated California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.

    The 2024 Let’s Eat Healthy Leadership Award winners are:

    • Elk Grove Unified School District Food and Nutrition Services, Elk Grove
    • University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine Early Life Nutrition Research Team: Assistant Professor Dr. Karen Lindsay, Pediatrician Dr. Candice Taylor Lucas and medical student Helen Leka
    • Patrick Kelly, Key Account Manager for School and Food Service, Shehadey Enterprise Solutions
    • Nadine Braunstein, Associate Professor and Dietetic Internship Director, California State University, Sacramento
    • Devinder Kumar, Senior Director of Student Health and Wellness, Wonderful College Prep Academy, Delano
    • Kirsten Criswell, Coordinator, Santa Barbara County School Wellness Council, Santa Barbara
    • Vanessa Mendez, School Counselor, Edison Elementary, San Diego

    Let’s Eat Healthy Legacy Award, In Memory of;

    • Robert Schram, Retired School Food Service Director, Lifetime Member of the California School Nutrition Association

    “We take immense pride in celebrating the recipients of this year’s Let’s Eat Healthy Awards. The impactful efforts of these winners contribute significantly to enhancing nutrition education and promoting access to healthy food across California. Their work creates a positive impact on individuals and communities that will last for years to come,” remarked Amy DeLisio, CEO, Dairy Council of California. “We extend our sincere congratulations to the 2024 Let’s Eat Healthy Award winners and look forward to our continued partnership.”

    To learn more about this year’s Let’s Eat Healthy Award winners, the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative or how to access free nutrition programs and resources, visit HealthyEating.org and watch the video presentation HERE.

    About Dairy Council of California 
    Dairy Council of California is a nutrition organization working together with champions to elevate the health of children and communities through lifelong healthy eating patterns. Focusing on education, advocacy, dairy agricultural literacy and collaboration, Dairy Council of California advances the health benefits of milk and dairy foods as part of the solution to achieving nutrition security and sustainable food systems. Learn more at DairyCouncilofCA.org.

    About the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative 
    Launched by Dairy Council of California, Let’s Eat Healthy is an initiative that brings together community leaders and stakeholders with expertise in education, school foodservice, public health, health care and agriculture, inviting these change-makers to elevate the health of children and families through the pursuit of lifelong healthy eating habits. Through coordination and collaboration, Let’s Eat Healthy strives to provide sustainable solutions to champion community health and make healthy, wholesome foods accessible to all. The Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative is driven to provide dynamic educational resources and tools, peer networking, amplification of best practices and the latest in nutrition information, uniting individuals and organizations through shared values. Join the initiative and make a difference at HealthyEating.org.

  • California Ag Well Represented in USDA Trade Mission to India Following Tariff Reductions

    Under Secretary Alexis M. Taylor will lead a U.S. Department of Agriculture agribusiness trade mission to New Delhi, India, April 22-25. The diverse delegation of 47 businesses and organizations and officials from 11 State Departments of Agriculture speaks volumes about the export sales opportunity the world’s most populous country represents for U.S. food and agricultural producers.

    “India represents a growth economy for U.S. agribusinesses seeking to capture an increasing share of the household food purchases in the fifth-largest economy in the world,” Under Secretary Taylor said. “India’s rising middle-class consumers’ familiarity with American food products and increased purchasing power is a real opportunity for U.S. producers. This along with the Indian consumers’ trusted view of American food and agricultural products as high-quality has contributed to an 11 percent growth in U.S. agricultural and ag-related exports to India over the past 2 years.”

    USDA is leveraging its global reach to open new markets on behalf of American food and agricultural producers. Just last year, India reduced tariff requirements for U.S. poultry products, vegetables, fruits, pulses, and tree nuts – strengthening the agribusiness trade relationship between the United States and India. The trade mission will follow-up on those wins and secure an expanding number of new purchase agreements for American farmers, ranchers, and producers. USDA continues to be forward-leaning in its efforts to broaden the benefits of agribusiness trade for more American producers, exporters, and their home-town communities.

    While on the trade mission, participants will engage in targeted business-to-business meetings and site visits to build new trade linkages, strengthen existing partnerships, observe U.S. products in the marketplace, and discover the latest Indian consumer food trends. Participants will also receive in-depth market briefings from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and industry trade experts.

    In addition to representatives from the following businesses and organizations, Under Secretary Taylor will be joined by California Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper, Idaho Director of Agriculture Chanel Tewalt, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks, Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff M. Witte, North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Goehring, and officials from the Indiana, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin state departments of agriculture.

    1. Almond Board of California, Modesto, Calif.
    2. American Pecan Council, Fort Worth, Texas
    3. American Pistachio Growers, Fresno, Calif.
    4. American Seed Trade Association, Alexandria, Va.
    5. American Specialty Foods Co., New York, N.Y.
    6. Bard Valley Date Growers, Yuma, Ariz.
    7. Bespoke Group, LLC., Irving, Texas
    8. Blue Diamond Growers, Sacramento, Calif.
    9. California Walnut Co., Los Molinos, Calif.
    10. Calway Foods, Inc., Santa Clara, Calif.
    11. Commercial Lynks, Inc., Alexandia, Va.
    12. Culver Duck Farms, Inc., Middlebury, Ind.
    13. Farmers International, Inc., Chico, Calif.
    14. FEAST Global, Ocean Springs, Miss.
    15. Food Export Association of the Midwest USA, Chicago, Ill.
    16. Food Export Association of the Northeast, Philadelphia, Penn.
    17. Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Tifton, Ga.
    18. Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, Marathon, Wisc.
    19. Hall Enterprise, LLC., Paso Robles, Calif.
    20. Hazelnut Marketing Board, Wilsonville, Ore.
    21. Hudson Pecan Company, Ocilla, Ga.
    22. Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Indianapolis, Ind.
    23. Indiana State Poultry Association, West Lafayette, Ind.
    24. Iowa Turkey Federation, Ames, Iowa
    25. JM Grain, Garrison, N.D.
    26. Leather and Hide Council of America, Washington, D.C.
    27. Marquis Energy Global, Pte. LTD, Hennepin, Ill.
    28. Red Lake, Inc., East Redby, Minn.
    29. Redwood International, Irvine, Calif.
    30. Royal Ridge Fruits, Royal City, Wash.
    31. Southern Forest Products Association, Metairie, La.
    32. Southern United States Trade Association, New Orleans, La.
    33. Southern Roots Nut Company, Las Cruces, N.M.
    34. Texas Grain Sorghum Producers, Salado, Texas
    35. The Wonderful Company, Los Angeles, Calif.
    36. Trident Seafoods Corporation, Seattle, Wash.
    37. TriNut Farms, Cochise, Ariz.
    38. United Dairy Ingredients Group, LLC., Monterey Park, Calif.
    39. United Sorghum Checkoff Program, Lubbock, Texas
    40. U.S. Dairy Export Council, Arlington, Va.
    41. U.S. Grains Council, Washington, D.C.
    42. U.S. International Foods, LLC., St. Louis, Mo.
    43. U.S. Soybean Export Council, Chesterfield, Mo.
    44. VSSA Commodities, LLC., Las Cruces, N.M.
    45. Western United States Agricultural Trade Association, Vancouver, Wash.
    46. Wine Institute, Sacramento, Calif.
    47. Zorro Pecans, Leesburg, Ga.

    USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

  • Almond Alliance Announces Leadership Transition

    Today, the Almond Alliance Board of Directors announced that our esteemed President and CEO, Aubrey Bettencourt, will be leaving the organization after nearly three years of dedicated service.

    “As President of the Almond Alliance, Aubrey showed exceptional vision and commitment, guiding us through a period of significant growth and accomplishments,” said Blake Vann, Chairman of the Almond Alliance. “Her leadership has yielded results for its members and the almond industry as a whole – and under her guidance, the Alliance has established itself in a position of influence. We are incredibly grateful for her contributions and unwavering dedication to the success of the California almond industry.”

    During Aubrey’s tenure, the Alliance’s advocacy grew exponentially, retaining permanent representation in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento. Communications was a top priority for Aubrey, as she developed a comprehensive communications platform to better inform and engage membership, political officials, and the general public. In addition to facilitating the Almond Express’ transport strategy during the supply chain crisis, she navigated crop insurance reforms and disaster assistance, and she led the development of DWR’s LandFlex program, which provided $25M to growers for groundwater recharge and SGMA compliance. Additionally, she established the Almond Alliance Foundation, which received a $2 million CDFA grant for the Pollinator Alliance to support pollinator health by expanding pollinator habitats on working almond farms.

    In a reflection on her time with the Alliance, Bettencourt noted: “Over the past two and a half years, the Almond Alliance has achieved its goal—it has established itself in a position of influence in the almond industry and agriculture throughout the nation. Today, it is regarded as a highly successful, effective, and member-focused advocacy organization. A leading advocate for the almond industry and the voice of American almonds, the Alliance delivers results for its members and the industry. I am so very proud of this team, and have full confidence in our ongoing work for this incredible industry and community.”

    We are excited to announce an extensive search for the next President & CEO is underway. We are looking for a dynamic and proven leader who displays strategic vision, organizational development, and a passion for American agriculture. As leader of the Alliance, this individual will ensure the continued strength and leadership of American almonds and advocate for the entire almond community – growers, hullers, processors, and consumers.

    “We are confident that a strong pool of candidates will emerge, and we look forward to choosing a leader who will build upon this foundation,” Vann concluded.

    Aubrey’s invaluable contributions to the Alliance and the almond community are greatly appreciated. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

    We will provide updates on the search for the next President/CEO as they become available.

    About the Almond Alliance
    Almond Alliance is the leading authority in state and national policy, championing American almond farmers, industry, and community for the continued global growth, innovation, and success of American almonds and agriculture. As the voice of almonds, the Alliance represents the fourth-largest commodity in the United States and the third-largest American export.

    Established in 1980, the Almond Alliance is a non-profit trade association with a local and international network of almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers, and allied businesses. The Alliance is dedicated to providing resources and solutions for our members, ensuring industry success and growth opportunities. Learn more at almondalliance.org

  • Navigate Animal Welfare Versus Animal Rights at 2024 Summit

    The Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2024 Stakeholders Summit will feature panelists from Protect the Harvest, American Kennel Club, and CloverLeaf Animal Welfare Systems who will share their experience navigating animal rights activism and how to chart a winning path to continuous improvement in animal welfare – independent of the influence of animal rights extremists. The 2024 event, themed “Ready, Set, Solve! Advancing Animal Agriculture,” is set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Mo. Register and reserve your hotel room by April 12 to secure discounted rates: https://bit.ly/AAA24.

    Animal rights groups are frequently attempting to force change for farmers, ranchers, processors, and food brands through the lens of animal welfare. In reality, these efforts have little to do with enhancing animal welfare – a scientific concept regarding the physical and mental state of the animal. Instead, animal rights activist organizations are seeking to further their agenda to remove meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood as options on the menu by driving up production costs and elevating the legal and societal status of animals to have the same basic rights as people. In the session “Protecting Animal Ag’s Place on the Podium: Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare,” attendees will hear from experts including Protect the Harvest’s Mike Siemens, PhD; American Kennel Club’s Sheila Goffe; and CloverLeaf Animal Welfare Systems’ Jason McAlister as they share their first-hand experiences with navigating activist campaigns, how to work toward continuous improvement in animal welfare, and how to safeguard against upcoming trends in activism.

    “It’s a common tactic for animal rights activist organizations to attempt to blur the lines between animal welfare and animal rights, however, there should be no mistake that their true intentions are much more extreme as they seek to eliminate consumer choice and take away a nutritious food group,” said Abby Kornegay, manager, issues and engagement, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “It’s vital for partners along the food supply chain to be able to differentiate between experts looking to improve animal welfare and extremist groups looking to ‘liberate’ animals and raise their legal status.”

    The annual Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, allied industries, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities, government agencies, and media.

    Check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information and follow the hashtag #AAA24 for periodic updates about the event on social media. For general questions about the Summit please email summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

    Get involved:

    Help spread the word about Summit! If you refer a friend to attend the 2024 Summit who has never attended a previous Summit and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card! Each referral will count as one entry and there is no limit on the number of entries for referrers. The Alliance will give away two $100 gift cards during the Summit – one drawing for referrers and one drawing for those who were referred. All registrations for the in-person event with a referral listed made until online registration closes on May 3 will be entered. Both the referrer and the person referred must be registered to claim the gift card.

    Maximize your brand visibility and impact by becoming a sponsor of the 2024 Summit today! For more information on sponsorship opportunities still available, contact Logan Hall at lhall@animalagalliance.org.

    Donate an item to the 2024 Silent Auction to support the 2024 College Aggies Onlinescholarship program. Previous auction donations have included goods and services such as artwork, quilts, jewelry, craft items, model farm equipment, gift baskets, gift certificates, food and wine, and sporting or entertainment event tickets. Fill out the request form or contact Grace Platte at gplatte@animalagalliance.org with any questions.

    About the Alliance:

    The 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.

  • Environmental and Social Benefits from Diversified Ag Found in Global Study

    Food security and biodiversity are both helped by diversified farming techniques, with little negative impact, according to a new study, published in the journal Science, involving 58 co-authors located at institutions on five continents.

    “The results are overwhelmingly strong for all diversification strategies,” said David Crowder, a professor in Washington State University’s (WSU) Department of Entomology. “The working theory is that diversity is good in agriculture, but I was surprised that the benefits were so strong.”

    Crowder and his colleague Jeb Owen, an WSU associate professor in entomology, both contributed data to the paper, which was a meta-analysis of 28 global studies. In fact, neither Owen nor Crowder knew the other was involved in the paper until it was nearly published.

    Owen’s contribution centered on wild birds and their impact on organic farms. His lab conducted surveys at 30 different locations in four states, including Washington, to look at costs and benefits from wild birds as well as each farm’s crop diversification.

    “We found that the more complex and diverse a farm, the wider the diversity of wild birds it supported, and that the birds were a net positive for the farms,” Owen said.

    Owen’s former graduate student, Olivia Smith, led his wild bird research and was another co-author on the new paper.

    Wild, native birds fed on insect pests that damage crops, decreasing the need for pest-control measures, while not increasing pathogen spread or destroying crops, he said.

    Crowder’s contribution included his lab’s research on canola and different tillage processes used by growers.

    “There’s a lot of research at WSU looking at diversified farming and ways we can improve the sustainability of farms,” Crowder said. “This paper shows that WSU is plugged into global issues, and I hope we see more of this out of the university.”

    Laura Vang Rasmussen of the University of Copenhagen is lead author on the new study and worked for nearly four years to coordinate and synthesize data from around the world.

    “Our results from this comprehensive study are surprisingly clear,” Vang Rasmussen said. “While we see very few negative effects from agricultural diversification, there are many significant benefits. This is particularly the case when two, three, or more measures are combined. The more, the better, especially when it comes to biodiversity and food security.”

    The researchers saw the greatest positive effects on food security, followed closely by biodiversity. Furthermore, social outcomes in the form of well-being also improved significantly.

    Among the many strategies adopted, livestock diversification and soil conservation had the most positive outcomes.

    Yields not hampered — with clearly improved food security

    According to the researchers, previous studies investigated either the socioeconomic or environmental effects of agricultural diversification. This study investigates effects across the board, with surprisingly positive results.

    “Agricultural diversification has been accused of perhaps being good for biodiversity, but having a few negative aspects too — especially with regards to not being able to achieve sufficiently high yields,” said Ingo Grass of the University of Hohenheim. “What we actually see is that there is no reduction in yield from diversified agriculture — not even when we include data from large-scale European agriculture.”

    In fact, the figures demonstrate that in the case of small farms and farms surrounded by lots of cultivated land, more diversified agriculture can significantly promote food security. This, according to the researchers, could be due to a number of factors.

    “One example is fruit trees planted in maize fields in Malawi, which can help farming families improve their food security through improved diet and nutrition,” Vang Rasmussen said. “Partly because they eat the fruits themselves, and also because the trees generate extra income when their fruits are sold at market — income that provides small-scale farmers with purchasing power for other foods.”

    All 58 of the study’s authors participated actively in its design to attempt a robust and credible interweaving of the many data sets spread across the world — from maize production in Malawi, to rubber trees in Indonesia, to silvopastoral cattle farming in Colombia and winter wheat in Germany.

    “The study unites many different situations from the many data sets that we used,” Vang Rasmussen said. “In Malawi, we have data on food security expressed, for example, in the number of hungry months for small-scale farmers where they have been short of food. Such metrics are not used for, for example, large European farms, where we have yield data instead, such as winter-wheat yields in Germany.

    “But the point is that when we look across all data sets, our results show that applying more diversification strategies improved both biodiversity and food security, and didn’t have a negative effect on yields,” she added.

    The researchers also investigated which diversification strategies result in “pairs” of favorable “win-win” outcomes. Their data showed that strategies beneficial for biodiversity also improved food security.

    They also witnessed win-wins for biodiversity and people’s well-being.

    “It’s a simple message to be able to pass on to different types of farms — whether it is small farms in South America or Africa or advanced European agriculture, there are lots of positive effects to be gained by introducing these various strategies — and very little to fear,” Grass said. “It is very positive that so many different things can be addressed, and that, in general, positive biodiversity outcomes seem to go hand in hand with well-being and food security.” — By Scott Weybright, Washington State University 

  • California Citrus Breeding Program Expanding with Congressional Support

    Today, Presidents of California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and Citrus Research Board (CRB) issued statements applauding Congressional leaders for recently approving additional funds for the new citrus breeding program in Parlier, California. Congress is allocating an additional $500,000 in federal funding on top of the $1 million granted last year to expand the program into California. The program will now receive $1.5 million in federal funds on an annual basis along with the $500,000 that CRB provides the program with annually.

    “CRB was instrumental in developing the concept for the California based program and was also involved in efforts to establish the nationwide program while CCM advocated to secure funding,” said CRB President Marcy Martin. “Our two organizations working together on behalf of the industry has been instrumental in getting this program off the ground.”

    “On behalf of the industry, I would like to thank our congressional leaders and the Committee for their continued support of this program, which will help us find solutions to issues specific to our growers located in California,” said CCM President and CEO Casey Creamer. “I would like to specifically extend our gratitude to Congressmen Costa and Valadao and Senator Padilla for championing the need for this program in D.C.”

    The California citrus breeding program will focus on fresh market citrus. Funding will go towards research and development of high-quality, superior citrus selections well suited to California growing regions, changing climatic pressures, consumer taste preferences, and resistance to pest and diseases, such as huanglongbing (HLB).

    The California program is an expansion of the existing national USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) citrus breeding program located in Fort Pierce, Florida, which is focused primarily on varieties that are optimized for Florida growing conditions. Work done through the Florida program has resulted in new varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance, improved color, and a longer shelf life.

    The Florida and California breeding programs along with the continued support from the University of California citrus breeding program at UC Riverside will work together to deliver results for California based growers.

    The California citrus breeding program is located at the USDA-ARS field station in Parlier. Thanks to funds that have already come in, forward progress continues to be made with the addition of a dedicated scientist, developing plans for construction of a greenhouse and laboratory, and securing additional ground for the program.

    About California Citrus Mutual (CCM)
    CCM is a voluntary, non-profit trade association representing California citrus growers on the economic, regulatory, and political issues that most impact them.

    About the Citrus Research Board (CRB)
    The CRB administers the California Citrus Research Program, the grower-funded and grower-directed program established in 1968 under the California Marketing Act as the mechanism enabling the State’s citrus producers to sponsor and support needed research. More information about the Citrus Research Board may be found at www.citrusresearch.org.