When it comes to growing almonds, activity in the orchard is just the beginning of the process. There’s shells to be cracked, kernels to be processed and lots of buying and selling to take place. And that’s a broad overview.
It’s the various facets and jobs within the almond industry that make programs like Almond Board of California’s Almond Leadership Program valuable. This year, nearly a decade after its inception, the Almond Leadership Program was featured in a panel session of alumnae and mentors at The Almond Conference.
What is the Almond Leadership Program?
In 2009, Almond Board of California (ABC) set out to encourage a new group of individuals with diverse backgrounds to become leaders in the almond community. Jenny Nicolau, manager, Industry Relations, ABC, said the program originated to encourage upcoming industry players to join their predecessors at the table. 
With that vision in mind, ABC created the Almond Leadership Program, a one-year leadership training program that “is meant to inspire and prepare almond community members to join a network of leaders meeting the challenges of a changing industry,” according to Nicolau.
The Almond Leadership Program is a mentored experience that offers participants hands-on educational opportunities, leadership training seminars, field experience and a firsthand look at the inner workings of ABC. Nicolau and colleague Rebecca Bailey manage the Leadership program each year, and these women have witnessed the program attract qualified industry professionals and become more established with every incoming class.
“I am increasingly proud of the Almond Leadership Program participants who take the knowledge and skills shared with them through this program and have, in turn, stepped up to the table to serve their communities and their industry,” said Nicolau.
And make no mistake: these participants are stepping up from all areas of the almond industry.
Participants of all walks
Sim Batth, a conference panelist and 2015 Leadership program graduate, is not in the orchard every day – nor does her work deal solely with almonds.
Batth is an Investment Associate with Prudential Agricultural Investments. Appointed to this position in 2014, she assists all activities related to agricultural investments in the Western Region. Yet, while Batth’s bandwidth includes more than ten different permanent crops, almonds make up 30% of her portfolio. It’s that 30% that drove her to learn more.
“When I started with the company, I wanted to expand my almond knowledge which lead me to apply for the Almond Leadership Program,” said Batth.
Batth entered the Leadership program with a diverse background, including a degree in viticulture and chemistry from California State University, Fresno; an MBA with focuses on real estate and finance from University of San Diego; and a stint in fashion school. And yet, her background was not a stumbling block, as the Leadership program granted her experiences and networking opportunities that allowed her to learn about the industry on a whole new level and connect with individuals who are driven to see the industry succeed.
“The Almond Board finds individuals that are passionate about what they do,” said Batth. “I valued being able to connect with individuals in the industry that have tremendous knowledge and experience, whether it’s at the farm level to marketing and sales.”
As Batth continues to grow in her career, she remains involved in the almond community and ABC. Today, Batth sits on the Almond Board’s Global Market Development Committee as an alternate.
Growing up with almonds
Even while earning his degree in ag engineering from Cal Poly, SLO, Daniel Bays had his heart set on returning to his roots.
A 2013 Leadership alum and panelist, Bays is a fifth-generation California farmer from Patterson, Calif. Though he was raised on the farm, Bays chose to apply for the Leadership program to learn how all the sectors of the almond supply chain work together and also to mature as an industry leader.
“The Almond Leadership Program allowed me to learn about the almond industry beyond the orchard and see some of the investment that goes into marketing, research and the other aspects of getting the nuts we grow to the consumer,” said Bays, who now uses research funded by the Almond Board to improve his family’s operation.
Like Batth, Bays valued the program’s networking component. Discussions with fellow participants and mentors, said Bays, helped him learn how to speak with others about almonds and “why they should be the nut of choice for people when they are searching for a great snack.”
Today, Bays remains involved in the almond community outside the orchard and participates as a member of the Almond Board’s Strategic Ag Innovation Committee.
Mentors: Historical knowledge, forward thinking
For Stan Chance, Leadership mentor and panelist, agriculture is more than a career – it’s a lifestyle.
Chance, who is vice president, senior relationship manager, Yosemite Farm Credit, also farms almonds in the Central Valley. He sought to “engage the next generation of the almond industry” as they look to contribute to the legacy of almond farming in California. With a passion for the industry, Chance chose to become a mentor and felt encouraged in return.
“The opportunity to meet them, see how well they present themselves and hear their good questions encourages me that the industry will be in very capable hands for years to come,” said Chance. “I found that the [program] is attracting outstanding individuals who have an enthusiasm for the almond industry and are looking to contribute in more meaningful ways.”
Nicolau, who spends much time with the participants throughout the year, witnesses this professionalism firsthand, stating, “participants continue to wow Almond Board staff, Board and committees.”
“Our future seems brighter than ever!” said Nicolau.
Find your next opportunity
The Almond Leadership Program is a great opportunity for anyone looking to advance their agriculture career.
“I would encourage any professional in the almond industry to apply for the program,” said Bays. “The investment of time in learning more about our industry will help benefit [your] own career as well as American agriculture.” 
In terms of broadening one’s knowledge, graduates of the program serve as non-voting members on ABC committees the year after graduating. It is important to note, however, that program participation goes beyond industry involvement and into the larger community. For example, participants raise funds for California FFA ag scholarships throughout the year. In addition, this past October, the 2017 class visited Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera to “spread a little almond joy,” as Nicolau put it, and “help the young patients create almond art.”
“If you feel like you’ve begun to master your role on the farm or a related field and want to broaden your knowledge and involvement in the industry, it’s time to engage the interview process,” advises Chance.
Visit almonds.com/leadershipprogram for more information.
