During a recent tour of Yara North America’s dry terminal at the Port of Stockton, Almond Leadership Program participants and mentors saw first-hand the process of how Yara receives fertilizers from overseas to be distributed to Central Valley farmers and beyond.
“The dry terminal tour was interesting because it gave us a better understanding of the comprehensive process it takes for Yara fertilizers to arrive in California,” said Mark Sherfy, D&J Farm Management.
Leadership participants learned about Yara’s fertilizer storage process during their tour of Yara North America’s Dry Terminal.
Sherfy, who oversees several safety programs at his ranch, was impressed by the extensive safety procedures and rules upheld by the employees at the facility.
“What I saw at Yara was vastly different than most companies out there,” said Sherfy. “Their facility had posters and data showing how they’ve improved safety practices through the years. That is something I’m looking to incorporate into our operation in order to help keep safety measures top of mind.”
Participants met multiple Yara staff during the tour, from equipment operators to managers, and were exposed to a facet of the industry that most had never seen in action.
“The leadership day at the Yara Stockton facility was a great showcase of what Yara wants to bring to the industry and how we want to push collaboration and engagement with growers, advisors and everyone who is involved with the supply chain,” said Chris Gallo, regional sales manager, Yara North America. “It means a lot for us to sponsor the Almond Leadership Program because almonds are a focus crop for Yara.”
Gallo, a former Leadership participant and current mentor of the Leadership program, said participants have much to gain from this program. “It helps their networking skills, but it also helps their touch points to the industry. They get to see different people who they wouldn’t normally interact with, and then they build friendships and have an opportunity to collaborate with them in the future.”
Participants learned about Yara’s extensive food safety procedures during the tour. From left to right: Jack McCarthy, Mark Sherfy, Blaine Salisbury, Sullivan Grosz, Jon Collison, Erin Clem, Kelli Evans, and Andrew Baker.
Following the tour of the dry terminal facility, the group travelled to Kinzie Farm in Modesto to see the fertilizer process come full circle via a spray demonstration.
The Almond Leadership Program is an opportunity for individuals from all facets of the industry to grow in their leadership skills and expand their knowledge of the California almond industry. During this year-long program, participants attend monthly seminars, each offering hands-on, educational experiences and leadership training activities. Participants also get a first-hand look at the various ways in which the Almond Board works for the almond industry.
Interested in learning more about the program, or considering applying for the 2019 Leadership class? Watch a video from past participants and start your application at Almonds.com/AlmondLeadershipProgram or contact Rebecca Bailey at (209) 343-3245.
