To aid in opening and maintaining global markets, Almond Board of California (ABC) often hosts delegations from overseas. Visits provide an overview of the California Almond industry and often include tours and meetings with the board of directors, ABC staff, almond growers and processors.
Two such visits recently occurred. In one, Almond Board was contacted by Club DEMETER, an association founded in 1987 by the agriculture and agro-food sector in France, whose annual travel seminar brought them to California this year. During their stay in the Central Valley, facilitated by the California Farm Bureau, they visited with individuals in the wine, dairy and almond industries as well as with government officials, including CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and Representatives John Garamendi (D) and Ami Bera (D).
Julie Adam, vice president, global technical and regulatory
affairs, with the Egyptian delegation.
During Club DEMETER’s visit with Almond Board, they met with Bob Curtis, director, agricultural affairs, and Spencer Cooper, senior manager, irrigation and water efficiency, to learn about the California Almond industry and our successful irrigation practices. ABC board member Dave Phippen and Sarge Green of the California Water Institute met with them as well. Finally, the 50-member delegation finished their almond visit with an orchard tour.
During the second visit, the Almond Board hosted a group of Egyptian tree nut import companies, bakeries and confectioners as part of the USDA Cochran Program. They, too, came to learn about the almond industry and the other tree crops grown in California. After meeting with ABC board members and staff, they met with Daniel Bays, a grower from Patterson, and visited his orchard.
