The Almond Conference Gala Dinner on Dec. 8 will serve as the official graduation ceremony for 19 young industry professionals who have completed the year-long Almond Leadership Program, a service of Almond Board of California (ABC). Participants in the program will display posters of their special projects alongside ABC-funded researchers and their posters on the trade show floor during the Conference, and will be available at the Almond Board booth to share their experiences with Conference attendees.
“I’m proud to be graduating from the Almond Leadership Program,” said Sarah Gooder, research laboratory manager of Wonderful Orchards. “It has been a privilege to be educated by leaders in our industry and an honor to learn alongside my classmates, who are all leaders in their own right.”
Range of Project Topics
Gooder, along with her fellow participants, recently presented her special project to program mentors, ABC staff and peers. Presentations covered everything from exploring available 21st century farming and technologies, to research projects related to Phytophthora infections, and even creating a formal logo to be used for promoting the Almond Leadership Program.
“I really enjoyed hearing the variety of presentation topics and the way most people used their expertise to expand on a subject that the rest of the class is generally less familiar with,” commented another Leadership participant, Daniel Chui, Trinitas Partners. “I'm proud to have been a part of the program this past year, and to have developed friendships and industry connections that I hope continue to grow after the program finishes,” he added.
Industry Second to None
“The Almond Board of California — particularly with the investment it has made in me with the Leadership Program — has proven yet again why our industry is second to none,” stated another graduate, Rory Crowley with Nicolaus Nut. “I only hope that our project presentation has demonstrated the same class, rigor and excellence as the Almond Board, and the great communities it represents. Graduating this program is bittersweet, but our efforts won’t stop because it's over. There is much work to be done, and I am confident that our graduating class will rise to the challenges of today to create a better tomorrow.”
Crowley and his project partner, Joe Barnett (Blue Diamond Growers), were selected to present their project “No Silver Bullet, but Plenty of Silver Lining: Toward Diversifying Our Options with New Hull and Shell Markets” on the Almond Stage Thursday during Conference.
Still Time to Apply
The yearlong program has served as a knowledge transfer, leadership building, and peer networking opportunity for young industry members who have a passion for the California Almond industry. Learn more about the Almond Leadership Program. Applications for the class of 2017 are due Dec. 9.
