Be a Part of Bringing the CA Almond Industry to New Heights

To better serve the changing needs of the California Almond industry and those stakeholders it serves, the Almond Board of California’s (ABC) Board of Directors approved a Committee/Subcommittee restructuring at the June 13 meeting. The resulting committees, subcommittees and working groups provide more opportunities for industry members to be involved in shaping future research and program focus.

 

The Almond Quality & Food Safety Committee is being broadened. The new Almond Quality, Food Safety and Services Committee will continue to focus on food quality and safety in addition to overseeing an Industry Services Subcommittee and a Biomass Task Force.

 

The Production Research Committee and Environmental Committee will be combined to form a single research committee – the Strategic Ag Innovation Committee. This “Innovation Committee” will take a more holistic look at the research needs and challenges facing the almond industry. It will be supported by specialized working groups that focus on specific production matters, and provide recommendations and guidance to the overarching committee:

 

An Ag Regulatory Subcommittee will be formed to focus on the almond production regulatory issues which were formerly addressed by the Environmental Committee. This new subcommittee will report to the existing Technical & Regulatory Affairs Committee, which deals with regulatory affairs on a global scale.

 

A new Public Information and Communications Committee is also being formed which will focus on a globally-consistent dialogue between the almond industry and stakeholders by providing factual information about the industry and communicate ABC program successes, education, research results and relevant issues to growers and handlers.  

 

Committee members who currently sit on committees involved in the restructuring are encouraged to stay involved under the new structure. There is an opportunity now, given this expansion of the committees and working groups, for additional industry members to get involved. By doing so, you are helping to guide the California Almond industry into the future. 

 

Basic duties of ABC committee, subcommittee and working group participation involve attending several meetings a year (“live” or by conference call) and exchanges via phone and email.

 

The top three reasons to participate include:

Growers, handlers, huller/shellers, and any allied industry members along the supply chain or affiliated with the almond industry are encouraged to get involved.

 

We are always on the lookout for new volunteers and we accept applications throughout the year. In order to join in this coming year, we need to hear from you by July 28, 2017. Please submit a Statement of Interest to serve on the following Committees/Subcommittees/Working Groups. Each of the bullets below links to the relevant description, followed by a Statement of Interest. Completed Statements of Interest should be submitted to staff@almondboard.com or mailed to Almond Board of California, 1150 9th Street, Suite 1500, Modesto, CA 95354 no later than the July 28 deadline.

 

• Technical and Regulatory Affairs Committee

• Strategic Ag Innovation Committee

• Industry Services Subcommittee

 

• Public Information and Communications Committee

 

 

The Board seeks to ensure that its programs and policies are inclusive and would like to enhance the diversity of its volunteers. We encourage eligible women, minorities and people with disabilities to consider applying to participate.

 

For further information about the Committee and Subcommittee restructuring or about applying, please contact the staff member named on the specific description or call Julie Adams, Vice President, Global Technical & Regulatory Affairs, at (209) 343-3238.