View the PDF (24mb) - Blue Diamond Growers

MAY | JUNE 2012 

News, Views & Industry Insights 

Breaking New 

Ground In Turlock 

Industry Blog 

Offers “Insights” 

Freshman Fieldman 

Working Full Speed Ahead

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CONTENTS May | June 2012 

p.30 

Features 

12 Fieldman 

Almond Facts sits down with the 

cooperative’s newest field supervisor 

for the Sacramento Valley, Ryan 

Christy. 

18 Industry Blog 

President and CEO Mark Jansen 

offers his “Almond Insights” to 

the industry in a new video blog. 

26 Beyond Baseball 

Guest columnist Tom Nassiff, 

President and CEO of Western 

Growers, asks why baseball’s 

guest worker program doesn’t 

include farm laborers. 

30 Groundbreaking 

Blue Diamond kicked off its largest 

capital investment in over 40 years 

with a groundbreaking at the new 

Turlock Plant site. 

08 FIELD SUPERVISORS 

10 GROWER LIAISON 

14 NEWS IN A NUTSHELL 

38 THE BEE BOX 

40 TIME TO CONSIDER 

42 CLASSIFIED ADS 

Cover Picture: 

From left, General Manager of Industrial 

Operations Bruce Lish, President and CEO 

Mark Jansen, Chairman Clinton Shick 

and Turlock Project Manager Ulli Thiersch 

break ground at the site of Blue Diamond’s 

newest plant in Turlock. 

MAY | JUNE 2012 Almond Facts 3

Von Hotzakorgian - Fresno, CA 

 

FARMER PROVEN 

Since 1938 

A California Corporation 

Folsom almond 

“the” Nonpareil partner 

• Blooms & harvests 

with Nonpareil 

• Moderately vigorous tree 

• Produces a soft shell 

• Medium to large kernel 

(U.S. Plant Patent #19555) 

Board of Directors 

Clinton Shick 

Chairman of the Board | McFarland 

Dale Van Groningen 

Vice Chairman | Ripon 

Dan Cummings | Chico 

Charles Crivelli III | Turlock 

Kevin Fondse | Ripon 

Elaine Rominger | Arbuckle 

George Goshgarian | Fresno 

Stephen Van Duyn | Modesto 

Robert Weimer | Atwater 

Don Yee | El Dorado Hills 

Officers 

Mark Jansen, President and CEO 

Dean LaVallee, Chief Financial Officer 

Almond Facts Staff 

Susan Brauner, Public Affairs Director 

Cassandra Keyse, Managing Editor 

Mel Machado, Contributing Photographer 

Gray Allen, Advertising Sales 

916.783.4334 & 916.765.3234 

Creative • Print • Mail 

Domeprinting.com 

AlmondFacts.com 

BlueDiamond.com 

® 

Independence almond 

self-fertile almond 

• Harvests 2-3 days before 

Nonpareil 

• Excellent producer 

• Requires only ONE shake 

& ONE harvest 

• High quality nut 

(U.S. Plant Patent #20295) 

800.654.5854 

www.facebook.com/DaveWilsonNursery 

www.youtube.com/DaveWilsonTrees 

www.davewilson.com 

Blue Diamond, the world’s largest processor and marketer of almonds, exports to 90 

countries. The cooperative marketing corporation also markets hazelnuts. 

Almond Facts, established in 1922, is published bimonthly by Blue Diamond Growers, 

1802 C Street, Sacramento, California 95811, phone: 916.442.0771. Address all 

correspondence to the Editor, Almond Facts, P.O. Box 1768, Sacramento, California 

95812. Advertising subscription rates provided upon request. 

Blue Diamond is a registered trademark and marketing brand of Blue Diamond Growers. Other 

registered trademarks are The Almond People, Smokehouse, Golden State, Celebration, From the 

Valleys of California, Confetti and Almond Facts. 

Advertising carried in this magazine does not necessarily reflect the beliefs, opinions, 

or attitudes of Blue Diamond and does not imply product or service endorsement. Blue 

Diamond reserves the right to refuse advertising. All rights reserved. Reproduction in 

whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. © Blue Diamond Growers 2011. 

4 Almond Facts MAY | JUNE 2012

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER 

President’s Corner 

Mark Jansen 

President and CEO 

Is Two Billion Pounds 

Of Almonds Enough? 

Since NASS announced its May subjective 

estimate of 2 billion pounds for the 2012 

crop, some are worried that it is too 

much. Only in the last five years has 

the industry grown beyond 

1 billion pounds. In this 

dynamic growth industry, with 

demand greater than ever, I believe 

2 billion pounds is not enough. 

California almond shipments continue to accelerate! Our industry is shipping 15 percent more almonds 

year-to-date compared with the multi-year trend of 13 percent annual growth (see Figure 1). This year’s 

record crop supported the acceleration in sales growth with innovation absorbing the additional supply. 

Globally, there were nearly 2,000 new almond products launched last year — far more than any other tree 

nut (see Figure 2). In addition to great taste and health benefits, consistency of supply, aggressive food safety 

strategies and the relative value of almonds for major food companies are driving new product preferences 

for almonds around the globe. 

FIGURE 1 

FIGURE 2 


FIGURE 5 FIGURE 4 

FIGURE 3 

Last year we identified the enormous potential to expand 

almond consumption in emerging markets. In particular, 

we highlighted that per capita consumption of almonds 

in China could grow 13 times to match that of the United 

States. The growth potential is being realized, as China 

became the second largest almond market in the world, 

already growing to two-thirds the size of the North 

American market (see Figure 3). Moreover, we are seeing 

almond consumption growth in every major geographic area 

of the world with the Middle East and North Africa showing 

growth similar to China. 

For all of these reasons, we believe that worldwide demand 

should consistently exceed 10 percent annual growth 

provided that we continue to have sufficient supplies. 

However, over the next couple of years, we believe supply 

growth could fall short of demand, driving inventory down to 

record low levels. 

Almond bearing acreage growth is slowing as farming 

economics become more favorable across a variety 

of crops. We are projecting bearing acreage growth 

below the 4 percent trend for the next couple of years. 

As a result, the industry will need substantial increases in 

productivity and yield to keep pace with demand (see Figure 4). 

Almond production is at record levels, but barely 

keeping pace with demand growth. Incredibly, this year, 

California will successfully absorb a 400 million pound 

crop increase in a single year! With late harvests in 2010 

and 2011, the almond industry learned that seven to eight 

weeks of carryout inventory on hand was insufficient 

to cover September and October demand. As a result, 

prices have consistently risen throughout the year. If the 

2012 crop is 2 billion pounds and demand growth falls 

to only 10 percent, our on-hand inventory will drop to 

unsupportable levels (see Figure 5). We anticipate pricing 

for 2012 crop will need to increase over 2011 to bring 

supply and demand into alignment. 

Clearly, 2 billion 

pounds is not 

enough! 


FIELD SUPERVISORS 

Dave Baker 

Director, Member Relations 

209.545.6222 Salida 

209.541.9148 Cell 

Dennis Meinberg 

Tehama, Butte and 

Eastern Glenn 

530.864.0619 Cell 

530.674.4724 Home 

Bob Ketcher 

Receiving Coordinator, Member 

Relations,Westside Stanislaus 

and Merced Counties 

209.761.2289 Cell 

209.545.6218 Salida 

209.742.2089 Home 

Ryan Christy 

Western Glenn, Colusa, Yolo, 

Solano, Yuba and Sutter Counties 

530.518.9109 Cell 

530.458.2669 Home 

Mel Machado 

Special Projects Coordinator 

Northern Stanislaus and San Joaquin 

209.531.6352 Cell 

209.545.6221 Salida 

209.522.4064 Home 

Mike Griffin 

Northern Fresno and 

Southern Madera Counties 

559.779.6400 Cell 

559.449.9751 Home 

Ernie Reichmuth 

Northern Madera and 

Southern Merced Counties 

559.474.2996 Cell 

559.645.4708 Home 

Gerry Guthrie 

Kern and Southern 

Tulare Counties 

661.203.7680 Cell 

661.588.8961 Home 

Rob Kiss 

South Stanislaus and Merced 

County North of Merced River 

209.531.4112 Cell 

209.668.7708 Home 

Steve Rothenberg 

Fresno, Kings and 

Northern Tulare Counties 

559.269.6809 Cell 

559.561.4508 Home 

Other Inquiries 

Salida Membership Department | P 209.545.6225 F 209.545.6215 

Sacramento Membership Department | P 916.446.8368 


John Deere 

Specialty Tractors: 

The Perfect Fit. 

High Crop • Low Profile • Narrow 

Don’t force a bad fit. Cruise over sensitive fruit and vegetable 

crops. Breeze under low-hanging canopies or doorways. Snake 

through narrow vineyard or nursery rows. Whatever your specialtycrop 

challenge, hit it head-on with the complete line of high-crop, 

low-profile and narrow specialty tractors from John Deere. 

Available in a wide range of configurations, with an impressive 

list of standard and available features, the John Deere family of 

specialty tractors offers equipment that fits the way you farm. 

Stop by your dealer to learn more. 

JohnDeere.com

2012 GROWER LIAISON 

District 1 

Eric Behring (530) 342-8313 

Bruce McClintock (530) 895-8771 

Greg Overton (530) 865-2520 

Dan Cummings (530) 894-5494 ** 

Fred Montgomery Jr. (530) 891-6625 C 

Howard Isom (530) 891-0375 * 

Larry Bradley (530) 893-5347 

Merritt Erickson (530) 330-1871 

John Nock (530) 342-2240 

Lyle Livingston (530) 345-4405 

Raymond 

Antonowich 

(530) 899-3820 VC 

Mark Lohse (530) 934-7248 

Jim Wilson (530) 865-9458 

Hank Wallace (530) 342-8770 ! 

District 5 

Merlyn Garber (209) 522-3851 

Gordon Heinrich (209) 524-8989 

Ron Harding (209) 522-4159 VC 

Sid Miller (209) 238-9946 ! 

Stephen Van Duyn (209) 599-4094 ** 

Neil Van Duyn (209) 545-1055 * 

John Alberti (209) 604-4830 

Gary De Vries (209) 838-2300 

Pam Riddle (209) 874-9784 C 

Dennis Bowers (209) 578-0713 

Manuel Azevedo (209) 522-0774 

Mark Giannini (209) 545-2189 

Dan Howser (209) 521-2072 

Bruce Oosterkamp (209) 505-6234 

District 2 

Matt Cotter (916) 919-1307 

Jim Manhart (530) 682-5957 VC 

Joe Martinez (530) 795-1928 

Elaine Rominger (530) 476-2103 ** 

Gerald Rominger (530) 476-2103 * 

Douglas Mathews (530) 476-2576 * 

Richard Denison (530) 724-3514 

Logan Dennis (530) 304-2907 

Ranjit Dhillon (510) 375-0168 

Mike DeRee (530) 695-2585 

Gilbert Ramos (530) 510-7282 

Matt LaGrande (530) 682-8939 C 

Tim Doherty (530) 681-8206 

Bob Payne (530) 662-2354 

Ryan Romness (530) 790-6716 ! 

1 

2 

3 4 5 

6 7 

District 3 

Paul Voortman (209) 838-7064 

Kathy Thomsen (209) 914-2580 

Joe Rishwain (209) 477-5841 

Dale Van 

Groningen 

Legend 

Chairman 

Vice-Chairman 

Ex-Officio * 

C 

VC 

Director ** 

Appointed 

(Member-at-large) 

Almond Board 

Alternate 

(209) 599-3713 ** 

John Thoming (209) 835-2792 ABA 

Rita E Low (209) 823-8762 ! 

Jim Lopes (209) 823-5930 

Joe Molina (209) 479-1359 

Arthur Sipma (209) 599-3017 

Craig Miller (209) 914-4601 VC 

Mike Bogetti (209) 835-9120 

Richard Phillips (209) 858-3696 

Jim Thoming Jr. (209) 601-2726 

Mike Sonke (209) 612-0818 C 

8 

9 

! 

ABA 

2012 

District 4 

Dustin Wagner (209) 651-5192 

Phil Mohler (209) 985-8617 

Matt Visser (209) 765-9297 VC 

Kevin Fondse (209) 599-2751 ** 

Art Weststeyn (209) 599-3193 * 

Kenneth Roos (209) 599-3037 * 

Will Drost (209) 838-3263 ! 

David Berg (209) 838-7451 

David Dole (209) 599-4482 

Terry Mulder (209) 599-7219 

Jake Sonke (209) 599-2430 C 

John Almeida (209) 599-3604 

Joe Gasper (209) 838-2717 

Dwain Zack (209) 838-6887 

David Roos (209) 605-6564 

District 6 

Rich Gemperle (209) 604-8660 

Lisa Giannini (209) 535-4121 

Randy Bergman (209) 883-0642 

Gerry Costa (209) 484-4506 ! 

Brian Ramos (209) 634-6917 Rep* 

Charles Crivelli III (209) 667-4547 ** 

Steve Vilas (209) 668-4466 * 

Bill Brush (209) 537-8857 ABA 

Darrell Cordova (209) 874-4042 

Steve Scheuber (209) 669-6848 

Aaron Piazza (209) 678-0787 

Ron Gonsalves (209) 668-2077 

Allen Peterson (209) 667-4697 VC 

Dirk Van 

Konynenburg 

(209) 648-6578 C 

John Miller (209) 531-3822 

District 7 

Ralf Sauter (209) 394-0001 

Joe Enos (209) 394-7830 

Leo Lamb (209) 383-5225 

Pete Bandoni (209) 722-0123 ! 

Robert J. Weimer (209) 358-1685 ** 

David L. Zollinger (209) 632-4013 * 

Zenon M. Frago (209) 394-2446 

David Passadori (209) 648-3418 

Steve Stone (209) 357-1176 C 

Don Harckson (209) 634-5830 

Jim Baballe (209) 667-2763 

Clark Heppner (209) 358-5298 VC 

Gordon Wade (209) 394-8180 

Ezio Sansoni (209) 722-6148 

District 8 

George Goshgarian (jr) (559) 281-4392 

George Goshgarian (559) 246-4918 **ABA 

Duane Cunha (559) 259-5905 

Norman Pretzer (559) 485-9496 

Aldo Sansoni (209) 826-4665 * 

Tim Parichan (559) 435-9131 ! 

Jens Finderup (559) 779-9277 

Dave Loquaci (559) 673-2198 

Rusty Nonini (559) 908-3837 

Robert Allen (559) 291-1944 VC 

Kyle Rodrigues (559) 970-4906 

Martin Souza (559) 385-0578 

Dennis DeFreitas (559) 864-3456 ! 

R.J. Maan (559) 871-6048 C 

Tony Ramos (559) 269-0580 

Jim Sani (559) 888-2745 

District 9 

Don Davis (661) 792-3423 

John Allen (661) 834-8439 

Jeff Noble (559) 359-3844 

Clinton Shick (661) 792-2660 ** 

Dominic Fino (559) 591-3711 

Tom Schwartz (661) 797-6808 * 

Ben Wilson (661) 746-4423 

Ernie Spencer (559) 443-9501 

Rick Jelmini (661) 599-0531 

David Snell (661) 792-2424 C 

Kent Stenderup (661) 854-6337 VC 

Carl Nikkel (661) 589-5349 

Sean Shick (805) 234-4608 ! 


PREPPERJACK 

c o n d i t i o n e r 

The Prepperjack 

conditioner will speed up your harvest with drier nuts, less 

sticks, and conditioned product for a faster delivery to the huller. 

DE-STICKER CHAIN 

• Removes Sticks and Debris for 

clean uniform 30” windrows 

• Reduces drying time for earlier 

pickup 

• Hydraulic bin door for even 

product placement 

• High capacity stick bin with left 

or right belt discharge for fast unloading 

• Conditioning if untimely 

weather prevails 

• Irrigate sooner 

Before conditioning 

After conditioning 

471 Industrial Ave. ∙ Ripon, CA 95366 209.599.6118 ∙ www.jackrabbit.bz

Almond Facts Sits 

Down With Blue 

Diamond’s Newest 

Field Supervisor 

Almond Facts (AF): Ryan, tell our readers a little 

about your background. 

Introducing 

Ryan Christy... 

Ryan Christy (RC): I grew up in Colusa County 

and while my family didn’t farm, I have been around 

agriculture my whole life — from FFA and agricultural 

mechanics in high school, to my first agricultural job doing 

work for a local rice farmer. It was just a natural fit. My 

parents live in Williams and my girlfriend is a pest control 

advisor for Wilbur Ellis in Colusa, so she helps me with 

the technical terms for diseases and chemical applications. 

In my free time, I really enjoy being outdoors — golfing, 

waterskiing and snow boarding. 

AF: In your most recent job, you worked in the 

tractor industry. Are you noticing any similarities 

between tractors and almonds? 

RC: I worked for 10 years in the tractor industry and, in 

fact, a lot of my customers happened to be Blue Diamond 

members. With tractors and almonds, you encounter similar 

busy seasons. There’s early spring when growers are looking 

for tractors to get fields ready for the year and at the same 

time, almond growers are preparing for bloom. Then comes 

the usual harvest crunch time and off-season planning. I’m 

noticing a lot of overlap between the two industries. 

AF: How has it been working alongside newly 

retired field supervisor Daryl Brun? 

RC: Daryl is really a great teacher. I understand why 

his background was in education because he is very 

knowledgeable and easygoing. About 90 percent of the 

people that I’ve met since I started in February have told 

me that I’ve got big shoes to fill. And of those people, one 

grower told me not to worry about filling Daryl’s shoes, 

but to “just stand in them.” Seeing how much people 

respect Daryl, I can tell that his are rather large shoes. 

AF: What was your first impression of Blue 

Diamond and how has that impression grown in 

your first few months on the job? 

RC: When I interviewed for this position with (President 

and CEO) Mark Jansen and (Director of Member 

Relations) Dave Baker, it was late in the afternoon on a 

Thursday. You know what I noticed that day? Every single 

person that came through the lobby had a smile on their 

face. It was clear that no one was fighting to get out the 

door at 5 p.m. And as I learn more and more about the 

cooperative, I can tell that there is a great attitude around 

here. People have been very helpful and genuinely nice. 

AF: What are your goals as an incoming field 

supervisor? 

RC: I hope to uphold Blue Diamond’s high reputation 

in the industry and to do the best job I can to follow in 

Daryl’s footsteps. I want to keep learning so I can be an 

informative, helpful resource for our growers. 


What’s the best reason to partner 

with us now? You decide. 

u Balanced risk 

u Industry-leading returns 

u Year ‘round selling strategy 

u Worldwide marketing power 

u Faster payments 

u Powerful consumer brand 

u Innovative product development 

u More payment options 

u More contract options 

u Cutting-edge technology 

There are so many great reasons to partner with Blue Diamond Growers. Whether you’re 

looking to balance risk, expand your marketing efforts or ensure consistently high returns. 

Blue Diamond has been focused on the success of California’s almond industry for nearly 100 

years. Today, as a streamlined organization with global reach, we’re ready to meet the challenges 

of the ever-changing marketplace. 

Partner with the world’s leading 

grower-owned cooperative! 

CALL 209.545.6225 


Social 

Media 

Campaigns 

Continue 

to Soar 

NEWS IN A NUTSHELL 

The North American Retail team 

continues their efforts to connect 

with consumers through social 

media platforms such as Facebook. 

Launching at the end of 2011, the 

Blue Diamond Almonds Facebook page now has more than 50,000 fans and 

counting! The page is home to a product tab, which allows users to learn 

about a given product, order it online, locate it in a nearby store and even 

recommend the product to their social networks. 

Facebook brand pages also now allow for a timeline feature, giving Blue 

Diamond the opportunity to showcase its rich history. On the heels of the 

successful “Kick Up the Taste” Super Bowl-themed Facebook promotion, 

the next several months will see two additional Facebook promotions. 

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze has been expanding its social media presence 

extensively this year. The Almond Breeze Facebook Page has more than 

52,000 fans and boasts a robust recipe tab. On the tab, users can search 

for recipes by category (Appetizers, Beverages & Smoothies, Breakfast, 

Entrees, Snacks & Dessert and Soups & Sauces), rate the recipe and also 

recommend the recipe to their friends. Complementing the Facebook Page 

is the increasing number of placements on prevalent mom blogs, a key area 

of influence in the social space. 

Want to see for yourself? 

Visit and “like” these two pages at www.facebook.com/ 

bluediamondalmonds and www.facebook.com/almondbreeze. 

Board Game 

Features Blue 

Diamond Trivia 

Quelf, a trivia game that doles out penalties for wrong 

answers, included some Blue Diamond trivia on this 

Quizzle card. Hopefully Almond Facts readers can avoid 

this chilly penalty! 


Blue 

Diamond 

Ranks 

in Top 100 

Ag Co-ops 

Of the nation’s more than 4,000 agricultural cooperatives, Blue Diamond 

Growers ranks No. 31 in a list of the top 100 co-ops. The report from the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Programs department included 

seven cooperatives from California. With $779 million in reported revenue 

in 2010, Blue Diamond is the only nut cooperative on the list. In total, the 100 

organizations on the list reported near-record revenue of $118 billion in 2010, 

which was an increase of 4 percent over 2009 figures. Total expenses in 2010 for 

the top 100 were up $575 million since 2009—with labor being the highest cost 

increase at 7 percent or $4.6 billion. 

In the USDA announcement, Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas 

Tonsager said, “Farmer and rancher-owned cooperatives are a mainstay in the 

American economy, not only helping members market and process their crops, 

milk and livestock and creating jobs, but also helping producers keep more of the 

earnings derived from their products at home, in rural counties and communities.” 

Almond Breeze Of The Month: 

Berry Punch Cocktail 


Culinary Students Explore 

Blue Diamond R&D 

As Blue Diamond’s foodservice business expands, one goal for growing almond 

consumption is to establish and deepen industry partnerships. In pursuit of 

this goal, Annette Magee, Blue Diamond’s Foodservice Marketing Manager, 

met with visiting students from the Culinary Institute of America’s Hyde 

Park campus, one of the leading food industry institutions in the world, 

to showcase the cooperative’s 

processing, marketing and product 

development capabilities. 

NEWS IN A NUTSHELL 

The students, all in the junior year 

of their bachelor’s program, are 

interested in pursuing research and 

development as a potential career 

avenue, combining their culinary 

and baking or pastry skills with 

their ability to develop recipes. 

In addition to Blue Diamond, the 

group visited wineries, restaurants 

and other food producers in the 

Northern California region, from 

Monterey to Santa Rosa.

Our new formulation makes winning easier. 

Growers know the importance of beating mites in key crops like almonds and citrus. 

With new ABBA Ultra, your path to success is even easier. New ABBA Ultra delivers the 

exceptional, long lasting mite control you expect from an abamectin, with the added benefit of 

reduced impact on air quality. The new, concentrated formula allows you to use ABBA Ultra at 

half the rate of standard abamectins, resulting in less product handling, storage and packaging 

waste. It’s time to make it easier to beat mites. Ask your PCA or retailer for new ABBA Ultra. 

©2012 

©2012 

Makhteshim 

Makhteshim 

Agan 

Agan 

of 

of 

North 

North 

America, 

America, 

Inc., 

Inc., 

4515 

4515 

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of 

of 

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Suite 

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Always 

Always 

read 

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and 

and 

follow 

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label 

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instructions. 

instructions. 

ABBA 

ABBA 

Ultra 

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is 

is a 

restricted 

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use 

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pesticide. 

pesticide. 

ABBA 

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of 

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Company. 

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For 

For 

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information, 

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call 

call 

866-406-MANA(6262) 

866-406-MANA(6262) 

or 

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17499_AF 

17499_AF

CEO Provides 

“Almond 

Insights” 

in Monthly 

Blog 

As the world’s largest processor 

and marketer of almonds, 

Blue Diamond has a unique 

voice in the almond industry. 

The cooperative, which boasts 

more than half of the almond 

growers in the state, ships 

almonds to more than 90 

countries worldwide and works 

every day to increase its reach 

around the world. 

Almond 

Insights 

“Almond Insights” is an online 

platform through which Blue 

Diamond’s President and CEO, Mark Jansen, can communicate to 

the almond industry in a timely manner, providing commentary on 

events as they happen to global ingredient customers and business 

partners. Growers and other interested audiences are encouraged 

to visit the blog and subscribe to the email feed to receive an update 

in their inbox each month. 

The blog features monthly video “episodes” in which Jansen 

comments on the state of the almond industry, including discussions 

about shipment reports, the crop’s development, significant weather 

events and emergent trends. The videos are accompanied by four 

categories of written blog posts — Bloom Report, Industry Trends, 

Mark’s Corner and Market Updates — that will also be updated on 

a monthly basis and provide additional information for visitors to 

learn more about the almond industry. 

“This blog is an excellent tool for our global ingredient customers 

to keep informed of the factors that drive their business,” Bill 

Morecraft, General Manager for the Global Ingredient Division, 

said. “We’re encouraging all our customers to subscribe to the blog.” 

Debbie Rogoff, one of Blue Diamond’s Regional Sales Manager, 

thinks the blog is an innovative idea. “This is a wonderful 

opportunity to share with all of our customers and it’s a service that 

no one else has,” she said. “What a huge value!” 

Check out “Almond Insights” today at 

www.almondinsights.com. 

Since 1970: Ron Barnes 

Chemist/Agronomist has 

Tested & Discovered the 

Benefits in Shur-Crop; 

Shur-Crop Helps To: 

• Aid growers in producing bumper crops. 

• Aid plants with increased seed germination. 

• Aid crops to greater resistance against frost. 

• Aid crops to get more nutrients from the soil. 

• Aid crops to build up resistance to disease. 

• Aid crops to build up resistance to insect pest. 

• Aid in prolonging the shelf life of such crops. 

For more information on Shur-Crop 

Contact Blue Diamond Grower: 

Jim Tanioka 

(209) 769-5627 

Shur-Crop is manufactured in California 

from certified organic Icelandic Kelp. 

By Lee Kender, Inc. 

P O Box 472, Orville Ca 95965 


CORNERING THE MARKET 

Take Me Out 

to the Ball Game! 

Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds make the Major League line-up 

Baseball fans across 

the country are 

eagerly cheering 

on their home 

teams now that 

the 2012 season 

of America’s past 

time is underway. 

To engage with 

these captive 

sports fans, Blue 

Diamond’s North American Retail Division is launching a cooperative radio 

campaign with key retailers in the markets of six Major League teams: the 

San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado 

Rockies and reigning world champion St. Louis Cardinals. 

During the heart of the season, from May to July, baseball fans 

in these six markets will be introduced to Blue Diamond Almonds 

and learn where they can purchase products from the cooperative 

through 30-second commercials played before, during and after 

selected games. The North American Retail team is confidant that 

this program will be even more successful than in previous years! 

New this year is a partnership with the Kroger Meal Deal program 

featured at Cincinnati Reds games. For six games at the end of 

April, guests who purchased a Kroger Meal Deal at up to 22 

concession 

stands at 

Cincinnati’s 

Great American 

Ball Park were treated 

with Blue Diamond 

Smokehouse Almonds in 

their meal. 

The Kroger Meal Deal is 

a collaboration between 

Kroger Senior Management and 

the Cincinnati Reds. Throughout 

the baseball season, only 30 

manufactures are selected to 

participate during the Cincinnati 

Reds Home Games, where their 

product is featured as part of the 

Kroger Meal Deal. 

“I attended the first game of our 

series with National Category 

Manager Tyler Connell, and we 

witnessed firsthand the excitement 

and enthusiasm of this unique 

program. It was truly a Blue Diamond 

night,” said Bert Hanson, Blue 

Diamond Sales Director. “While this 

particular program highlighted the 

partnership between Blue Diamond 

and Kroger, our long standing 

relationship with Major League 

Baseball and the National Football 

League have made the Blue Diamond 

Brand synonymous with 

healthy snacks and sports.” 

In addition, promotions 

for the Kroger Meal Deal 

prominently featured 

Smokehouse Almonds for 

the duration of the 

partnership, flashing 

images of the product on 

television banners located 

throughout the park, on 

the railings in the visitor’s 

dugout and mentioning 

the product in radio 

and television coverage of 

the game. As one last reminder 

of delicious Smokehouse Almonds, 

stadium employees handed out 

approximately 7,500 samples to fans 

as they exit the stadium after each of 

the six games. 


“Reds fans will certainly remember Blue Diamond Almonds after attending one of these games,” said Maya Erwin, 

Snack Group Marketing Manager for the North American Retail Division. “We expect an increase in sales from these 

promotions in each of the selected Major League Baseball markets!” 

Seasonal Flavors 

Now at Walgreens 

“Innovation is at the heart of our business and new products are the 

lifeblood,” said John O’Shaughnessy, General Manager of the 

North American Retail Division. 

When Walgreens, one of the largest North American Retail 

customers, approached Blue Diamond about creating 

new flavors to sell exclusively at their stores, it was an 

opportunity that couldn’t be passed up. The partnership will feature a line of 

specially flavored six-ounce cans of almonds that will change with the seasons, meaning they will 

only be available for a short time. 

Head to your local Walgreens to pick up spring’s exclusive flavor, Toasted Coconut, while supplies 

last. These almonds have a subtle coconut flavor that echoes the flavor profile of Blue Diamond’s 

newest line of Almond-Coconut Breeze. The next seasonal flavor, Backyard BBQ, will hit Walgreens’ 

shelves in July. 

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With Blue Diamond, the 

World is Your Almond 

Adding Value Through Expertise and Partnership 


“Food companies the world over continue to embrace almonds as the 

most versatile, affordable and healthful tree nut ingredient available,” 

said Warren Cohen, Director of Worldwide Sales for Blue Diamond 

Almonds Global Ingredient division. “We are experiencing dynamic 

growth around the world. China is now nearly two-thirds the size of the 

world’s largest market, the United States.” 

Data from a 2011 study supplied by Innova Market Insights shows 

Asia led all countries in new snack item introductions, generating 

approximately 40 percent of the global snack launches from mid-2010 to 

mid-2011. “Our customers see almonds as a value-adding ingredient that 

boosts the quality of their branded products,” said Cohen. 

The versatility of this tree nut has almost endless possibilities with how it can 

be used in food applications, enabling Blue Diamond’s ingredient customers 

to create innovative new products with almonds. “As a true partner, we 

have to bring the highest value to our customers,” Cohen explained. 

For Blue Diamond, that means more than filling an order — it means 

filling in the blanks and asking the right questions. “Suggesting 

alternatives that are just right for their product, from the perfect crunch 

in chocolates to a flavor profile that complements their cereal,” Cohen 

said. “After all, one almond doesn’t fit all. Fortunately, we have the 

variety, the forms and expertise to meet customers’ exacting specifications 

and the uninterrupted supply that keeps them on schedule.” 

Blue Diamond’s Global Ingredient division reaches more than 90 

countries around the world. Global customers seek out Blue Diamond for 

their almond needs because the cooperative lends expertise in product 

development, quality control and food safety programs. 

North American Almond Products 

Popular Across Categories 

As Blue Diamond’s largest and most 

mature market, North 

American customers 

know almonds well. John 

Wagaman, a veteran sales 

manager for the Global 

Ingredients team, recognizes the 

knowledge of his customers and 

appreciates their insight when 

requesting unique products. 

“The fun part of working with 

ingredient customers in North America 

is how well they know almonds and the 

value almonds bring to their products,” 

he explained. 

The foundation for many of Blue 

Diamond’s relationships with customers in 

North America was established decades 

ago, a testament to the inherent value 

of working with the leader in almonds. 

Many iconic confectionary products 

containing almonds have come from 

Blue Diamond. “One obvious benefit is 

the scale Blue Diamond brings to our 

ingredient customers. We can front load 

a new product launch that might require 

multiple truckloads of a unique almond 

ingredient in a very short period of 

time,” Wagaman said. 

In grocery stores across North America, 

Wagaman listed the various product 

categories where Blue Diamond almonds 

are used as an ingredient. “It is with 

the greatest of joy that a Blue Diamond 

grower-owner or employee can walk the 

grocery aisles of their local store and find 

food containing almonds in numerous 

locations — from famous candy bars 

or delicious cereals and cereal bars, to 

snack nuts and ice cream.” 

Traditional Almond 

Recipes Fuel Western 

Europe 

Europe is a well-developed market, 

steeped in traditional culinary creations 

that include almonds as a key ingredient. 

Across the European Union almonds 

play a distinct role, from French pastries 

to German confections, Italian nougat to 

almond snacks in the United Kingdom.

sophisticated market, Japanese ingredient customers are 

looking for a high quality, safety assured product, which 

Blue Diamond supplies. 

“Almonds are very popular tree nuts for general consumers 

in Japan and elsewhere for their taste, flavor and nutritious 

qualities,” said Eiichi Fujimoto, Blue Diamond’s Japan sales 

representative. “For many of our Japanese customers, new 

products with almonds are best sellers in their product line.” 

“Historically, as almonds were traded into Europe on 

the Silk Road, they were woven into traditional culinary 

backgrounds of European countries. Our customers in the 

EU are interested in whole brown almonds as well as all 

varieties of value-added almonds for incorporation into 

baking and confectionary products,” said John Gaffney, 

European sales manager. 

Experience and market expertise in the almond industry 

are two main reasons why European customers turn to 

Blue Diamond for their almond specifications. According to 

Gaffney, Blue Diamond’s knowledgable staff, from customer 

service to quality assurance, provide an extra level of 

confidence in our products from a buyer’s standpoint. 

“Our team is the best I’ve ever worked with,” Gaffney 

said. “They have the right approach and always work hard 

to get the job done.” 

Despite the prevalence of almonds in the European diet, 

Blue Diamond’s Global Ingredient’s team is working to 

continue to increase almond consumption by introducing 

new product ideas for additional opportunities to longtime 

partners in the region. An example of a potential 

growth opportunity is in breakfast cereals. “The European 

breakfast — consisting of cheeses, cold meat and breads 

— is traditionally very different from the American 

breakfast,” said Gaffney. “Blue Diamond’s innovative 

product development team is actively researching ways to 

include almonds in European cereals to entice consumers 

into the cereal market.” 

Mature Japanese 

Market Enjoys Almond 

Health Benefits 

The Japanese market for almonds was 

first pried opened by Blue Diamond 

in the 1950s and has continued to mature ever since. A 

In working with Japanese customers, Blue Diamond strives 

to meet and exceed product specifications to ensure the 

highest quality end product for the customer. According to 

Fujimoto, most national branded confectionary companies 

prefer high quality brown almonds, size graded to their 

individual needs. Bakeries, on the other hand, look for 

Blanched Sliced almonds specially designed for the 

Japanese market. 

While confectionary and bakery are the traditional 

avenues into the Japanese market, Fujimoto gave reflected 

on future trends. “We see more almonds going into 

the healthy-nutritius food products such as energy and 

nutrition bars. Almonds are also becoming increasingly 

popular with women as a nutritious whole food and 

ingredient for family meals,” he said. 

The other prevalent trend is for snacking. In general, the 

preferred almond for snacking is dry-roasted and unsalted, 

conveying a pure almond taste. “This product concept has 

mushroomed into the best selling item with most snack nut 

marketers in Japan in the past five years!” Fujimoto explained. 

China and 

South East 

Asia Continue 

to Grow 

The Asian market 

is one of the fastest 

growing markets in the world for almonds, according to a 

report by the Almond Board of California. This growth 

in almond consumption has translated to good news for 

Blue Diamond, according to Jeff Sleeper, international 

sales manager. 

“Asian buyers and customers are turning to almonds 

because they are so versatile compared to other tree nuts,” 

he said. “They have the right taste, are healthy, come with 

stable pricing and have great stage presence — they just 

look nice and enticing in dishes.” 

continued on next page » 



According to Sleeper, these markets look 

to Blue Diamond for their almond supply 

because of the long-term relationships they 

enjoy with the cooperative. “Our ability 

to be there for our Asian customers longterm 

goes a long way. They appreciate our 

reliability and willingness to meet with them 

face-to-face, and we are happy to provide 

that stable relationship,” Sleeper said. 

He explained that customers and 

consumers in this region of the world 

have a special appreciation for farmers. 

“There is a great respect for farmers and 

agriculture in general, and they very much 

value the work that goes into growing, 

harvesting and processing the world’s food 

supply,” he explained. “They have great 

trust that our almonds are the highest 

quality and safest products in the world. 

This was particularly important during the 

aftermath of the tsunami when safe food 

was vital to Japanese customers.” 

Enhancing Relationships 

Through Customer Service 

Bill Morecraft, General Manager of the Global 

Ingredients Division, provided this outlook on the current 

state of the industry and what else his division is doing to 

grow as the industry leader. 

“Almonds continue to be an ever-popular 

choice among consumers. For example, 

analysis of the U.S. grocery market for 

2011, excluding Wal-Mart and club stores, 

showed that within the cereal category, 

cereals with almonds account for nearly 

$500 million in revenue. Put another 

way, 7.6 percent of all cereals sold contain 

almonds!” Morecraft said. “The choice for 

almonds in snack and energy bars remains 

high with almonds found in 20 percent of 

the products within the grocery segment, 

accounting for more than $530 million in 

revenue. Category sales increased by 3.5 

percent in 2011 over the prior year and by 

10.4 percent when compared to 2009.” 

Blue Diamond continues to raise the bar with 

regard to the services and expertise we 

provide to our customers. “Our approach 

is unique. It is the ‘deep dive’ we are 

doing to provide critical information to 

our sales team, that enables them to be 

category experts for how to incorporate 

almonds within our customers’ business 

segments,” he explained. “This enhanced experience is 

just one example of how we set ourselves apart from our 

competitors.” 

Blue Diamond’s product and business development 

teams work hand-hand with customers’ R&D, logistics 


and support teams. Through direct communications, 

Blue Diamond is able to help customers envision and 

attain solutions that meet their exacting requirements. 

Relationships with top-tier customers are broad and deep, 

with senior management connecting throughout worldclass 

food companies. 

“Today we serve our customers better than ever,” 

Morecraft continued. “We are experts in the business 

segments, we monitor the latest trends for products with 

almonds and we have a high level of collaboration with 

customers, all part of the formula for providing solid 

‘almond solutions.’” 

Continually looking for ways to add value and exceeding 

the expectations of their customers sets Blue Diamond 

Global Ingredients apart from any other almond supplier 

in the world. 

With goodness this 

delicious, healthy living 

is a Breeze in Australia! 

Blue Diamond’s efforts to deliver the benefits of almonds to the world 

have expanded “Down Under” with the March 2012 launch of Original 

and Unsweetened Original Almond Breeze in Australia. As the second 

highest per capita consumer of dairy substitutes in the west and with 

a growing ethnic population inclined to lactose intolerance, Australia 

stands out as a natural choice for extending the reach of Almond Breeze. 

Blue Diamond Almonds are shipped in paste form directly from Sacramento to 

Sydney where the finished product is produced and filled in one-liter Tetrapak 

aseptic cartons prior to shipping out to retail stores nationwide. 

“In our first month of sales we secured distribution in more than 700 

supermarkets across Australia and while it is clearly very early in our launch, 

I am pleased to report that initial sales are very encouraging and new orders 

are strong,” said Roger Ringwood, Blue Diamond’s Australian consultant. 

Blue Diamond has seen its popular almondmilk brand soar in the United 

States. According to Tina Cao, Associate Marketing Manager for the 

International Retail Team, “Australia has many consumer parallels to United States markets. For 

example, they are very aware of the health benefits when comparing almondmilk to dairy milk 

and soymilk. We plan to extend the successful approach we use to market almondmilk to U.S. 

consumers to the Australian marketplace.” 

“Australians are generally very health conscious,” Ringwood added. “Cholesterol is a particularly 

important issue here and Almond Breeze checks the right boxes given low fat and no cholesterol. 

Aussies are also big consumers of cereal and fruit smoothies and we like to bake, all of which 

provides real opportunity to drive growth.” 

Currently, the non-dairy category in Australia is led by soymilk. With a strong marketing 

and promotions campaign, Cao and the International Retail team believe Blue Diamond can 

become the category leader in the non-dairy nut segment and open a new, high value market for 

Blue Diamond’s grower-owners. In order to spread the word about Almond Breeze, 30-second 

commercials demonstrate the health benefits, great taste and versatility of Breeze. 

For more information on this exciting product line expansion, visit www.almondbreeze.com.au! 


BEYOND BASEBALL’S 

GUEST WORKERS 

Guest Column By Tom Nassif 

“Americans can survive without guest workers who swing a bat, but we would not survive long 

without guest workers who hand-cut our fresh vegetables and fruit.” 

Miguel Cabrera, third baseman for the Detroit Tigers, is a six-time All-Star and the reigning American League 

batting champion. He’s about to play in his 10th season. During the off-season, Cabrera resides with his wife and 

daughter in Maracay, Venezuela. That makes Mr. Cabrera a guest worker. 

He is one in a huge labor 

force welcomed into America 

for seasonal labor. But while 

baseball players enjoy special 

treatment, bigger players 

in the nation’s economy— 

farm workers—enjoy no 

such streamlined approach. 

And yet the farm industry 

is valued at $60 billion, or 

3.5 times the worth of Major 

League Baseball. 

Mr. Cabrera was one of the 

234 foreign-born players that 

filled one of the 750 spots on 

last year’s opening day roster 

of Major League Baseball. 


The New York Yankees had 16 and the 

Texas Rangers had 10. In fact, more than 

one out of four of all major-league players 

were foreign-born in 2011. And looking at 

the farm teams, nearly half of all minorleague 

players — about 3,400 of them — 

were not born in America. 

These workers are not castigated for their 

immigrant status or vilified for “taking jobs 

away from American workers.” They are 

permitted to move freely throughout the U.S. 

and can cross our borders as they please. 

“If the president 

and Congress can 

find a solution for 

baseball, surely they 

can find a solution 

for agriculture.” 

workers exceeded the limit of 65,000 visas set aside for that program, 

with only 700 available for minor-league baseball. The lack of available 

visas barred a number of players from the U.S., forcing them either 

to sit out the season or to play in the Dominican Summer League. 

Amateur or minor-league athletes were prevented from qualifying for 

P-1 and O-1 visas — visas restricted to “internationally recognized” or 

“extraordinary ability” athletes. 


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designed to minimize dust for 

maximum harvesting efficiency. 

Major League Baseball has to sign the 

best players internationally to compete. 

For this to work, the immigration system 

must recognize that these foreign-born 

individuals are indispensable to the game 

and to professional sports. 

Well, guess what? Farm workers are also 

indispensable seasonal workers. The security 

of a domestic supply of fresh fruits and 

vegetables rests on their shoulders because 

Americans do not, and will not, take jobs in 

the fields. But baseball got its own new guest 

worker visa program. 

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Historically, the only way for minor-league 

baseball players — the entry step into 

the major leagues — to gain admittance 

into the U.S. was to get an H-2B seasonal 

worker visa — a system wrapped up in 

government red tape. In 2005, demand for 

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Major League Baseball set out to solve its workers’ immigration 

problems. In 2006, Congress passed and President George W. 

Bush signed the Compete Act, which allows certain amateur and 

semiprofessional athletes to qualify for temporary work visas. As a 

result, international amateur and minor-league athletes are eligible 

to participate and compete in sports in the U.S., without having to 

be “internationally recognized” for their athletic ability. 

100 YEARS 

Because we are MORE 

than just a smile 

and a handshake! 

So what about the guest-worker program 

for farm workers? The only way to bring 

in seasonal foreign farm workers is the 

H-2A program — also full of red tape. 

The Department of Labor program is so 

complicated that it’s almost impossible to 

use without a lawyer. As a result, it barely 

provides 2 percent of the total agricultural 

work force. 

When farmers do use the program, 

they take a big risk. Hot weather can 

accelerate a harvest and therefore 

the need for workers. Late workers in 

agriculture are the same as no workers, 

because crops then rot in fields. Imagine 

if the Yankees had 16 players stuck in 

their home countries on Opening Day 

due to visa delays. 

While the baseball industry can now 

smooth the way for its work force, 

American agriculture is in dire need of 

the same guest-worker reform. How is it 

that elected officials can move with speed 

to clear the way for one specialized group 

of foreign workers and not find a way to 

fix a broken and unworkable system for 

another group? Americans can survive 

without international guest workers who 

swing a bat, but we would not survive long 

without guest workers who hand-cut our 

fresh vegetables and fruit. 

If the president and Congress can find a 

solution for baseball, surely they can find 

a solution for agriculture. 

Steve Neill Greg Correa Nick Pomering 

530-933-9794 530-844-0082 661-979-4885 

 

100 Years in Newcastle, Ca 800-675-6075 FowlerNurseries.com 

 

 

Tom Nassif is the president and CEO of 

Western Growers and served as ambassador 

to Morocco in the Reagan administration. A 

version of this article appeared Mar. 26, 2012, 

on page A15 in some U.S. editions of The 

Wall Street Journal, with the headline: Beyond 

Baseball’s Guest Workers. 


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combining a best-in-class triazole with a second highly 

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grapes and many vegetables can depend on its 

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disease in its tracks. For power and reliability, there’s 

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Breaking Ground 

in turlock 

“In our continuing efforts to deliver the 

benefits of almonds to the world, our new 

plant in Turlock will allow us to expand 

our value-added product lines. It will seal 

our promise to be THE global almond 

ingredients and consumer retail market 

leader so that we can continue to create the 

healthiest almond products in the world!” 

proclaimed Mark Jansen, Blue Diamond 

President and CEO. 

Blue Diamond officially launched Phase 1 of its 

new manufacturing plant in Turlock at an onsite 

groundbreaking ceremony in early April. The first 

phase of the project is scheduled for completion in 

May 2013. It will provide about 200,000 square 

feet of building space for manufacturing and 

delivering new almond products worldwide. The 

three-phased project will eventually yield a total of 

about 500,000 square feet of building space over 

the next 15 years. 

Blue Diamond made its last major investment in 

1968 in its Salida Plant. At that time, California 

was producing 140 million pounds of almonds. 

“Compare that to this year’s crop of about 2 

billion pounds and you can better understand why 

we are making a major investment to expand our 

business,” explained Jansen. 

Chairman of the Board, Clinton Shick, summed up 

the collective feeling from the ceremony during his 

on stage remarks: “I feel like this celebration is really 

a continuation of the incremental steps we’ve taken 

over past years and will take over the next 100 years 

to continue to be the world almond leader!” 

Blue Diamond’s Board Chairman Clinton Shick (at podium 

on stage) proposes a toast to “a strong and secure partnership” 

with the Turlock community as officials from Blue Diamond 

and local dignitaries break ground with their gold-plated 

ceremonial shovels. 

From left, Blue Diamond General Manager of 

Industrial Operations Bruce Lish, Turlock City Manager 

Roy Wasden, Blue Diamond grower Matt Swanson, 

California Undersecretary of Agriculture Sandra Schubert, 

Blue Diamond President and CEO Mark Jansen, United 

States Congressman Jeff Denham, Turlock Mayor John Lazar, 

Stanislaus County Supervisor William O’Brien and Blue 

Diamond Director of Project Construction Ulli Thiersch. 

The Blue Diamond Board of Directors with President and 

CEO Mark Jansen. From left, Bob Weimer (District 7), George 

Goshgarian (District 8), Kevin Fondse (District 4), Dan 

Cummings (District 1), Charles Crivelli (District 6), President and 

CEO Mark Jansen, Chairman Clinton Shick (District 9), Elaine 

Rominger (District 2), Don Yee (Member-at-Large), Steve Van 

Duyn (District 5) and Vice Chair Dale Van Groningen (District 3). 


Congressman Jeff 

Denham, whose district 

represents parts of 

Fresno, Madera, 

Mariposa, Tuolumne 

and Stanislaus Counties, 

said he was “proud to 

be part of this industry 

and proud to be a Blue 

Diamond grower.” 

“When I became 

mayor, I prayed 

for a game changer 

and He gave us 

Blue Diamond,” 

said Turlock 

Mayor John Lazar. 

“We commend Blue Diamond on how they 

integrate with each community they 

invest in. We at CDFA look forward to 

watching you grow,” said Sandra Schubert, 

Undersecretary of Agriculture. 


President and CEO Mark Jansen presents a 

donation to Turlock Unified School District 

Superintendent Dr. Sonny Da Marto as a 

thank you to the student band members 

and Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training 

Corps that performed at the ceremony. 


Staff and guests enjoy the Groundbreaking ceremony on the site of the Blue Diamond’s newest plant in Turlock. 

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MW 1TNV1007-H1 3/11 


Navy officers in training from Turlock High School’s Navy 

Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps presented the 

colors on stage. 

Students from the Turlock and Pitman High 

School Bands came together in a brass ensemble 

to entertain guests at the Turlock Plant 

Groundbreaking Ceremony. 


AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA 

Agricultural 

Council of California 

EMILY ROONEY, President 

Cap & Trade 

Revenues Create 

Cash Cow 

With compliance of AB 32, the Global Warming 

Solutions Act of 2006, just around the corner, private 

businesses are strategizing on how to deal with 

increasing energy costs or the potential of having to 

participate in a statewide cap and trade program. 

Approximately 35 food processors in California are 

“over the cap” with respect to carbon emissions, which 

means participation in cap and trade is required. Costs 

for these employers will skyrocket, potentially into 

the millions of dollars per facility. The California Air 

Resources Board (CARB) forecasts that billions of 

dollars will flow in to state coffers due to the cap and 

trade program on an annual basis. 

This is an attractive source of revenue for a financially 

broken state. 

As a new and robust source of revenue for our state, 

the options of what to do with the funds are many. 

Governor Brown stated that revenues from the 

statewide cap and trade program would be a source of 

funding for California’s high-speed rail project. The 

environmental justice community is seeking revenues to 

divert to their special interests. Whenever a legislator or 

regulatory official is seeking funds to implement a pet 

project, nine times out of 10, their answer to funding 

right now is cap and trade. 

Virtually almost all of these funds will come from 

private business. So, what should the state do with 

these funds? 

If the state insists on continuing this program, even 

amidst these rough economic times, Ag Council 

believes the funds should be returned to the companies 

that pay into the program. 

It is naïve to think the Legislature or CARB 

would have the virtue to cut 100 percent rebate 

checks directly to those that pay into the system, 

even though the money belongs to the business 

community. And, legally, the state has to find 

programs to fund that are consistent with the 

goals of AB 32. 

As it currently stands, the Legislature has yet to 

make a decision. CARB and the Governor’s office 

have generally hinted at priorities, but nothing has 

been solidified to date. The Governor has included 

these revenues in his proposed budget, so he is 

counting on them to fund high-speed rail or assist 

in closing the budget deficit in creative ways. 

Revenues from cap and trade should go toward 

projects that support its initial goals. These goals 

include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, 

improving energy efficiency and adapting to 

climate change. These funds could be utilized to 

improve research for cost-effective technologies 

that would reduce emissions for food processors, 

and to provide cost-share grants or rebates for 

energy or water efficiency projects. 

Any leftover funds should be returned to the 

entities funding the program as a rebate to 

address increasing costs. Agriculture — and food 

processing, specifically — should be a priority 

given our strong economic presence in this state. 

Cap and trade was created at a time when the 

state’s economy was booming. At the time, 

California was being held up as a leader in 

climate change. Even though this program was 

drafted in 2006, times have dramatically changed 

over the past six years. That means the results 

should change, too. 

Cap and trade is law, so California is legally 

required to reduce greenhouse gases, but the 

revenues should not be used as a cash cow for the 

state, particularly when the legislature is slow to 

deal with its own financial struggles. 


TOGETHER 

W E G R O W 

Trust is a commodity that’s earned over time. As part of the Farm 

Credit System we’ve been here since 1916, lending money to farmers, 

ranchers, growers and co-operatives — all aspects of agribusiness. 

And we’re still growing strong, offering financial services that make 

sense for you and customer service that is second to none. 

Visit www.FarmCreditAlliance.com to learn more. 

800.542.8072 800.800.4865 

800.909.5050 


HULLER-SHeller 

GOLF TOURNAMENT 

Annual Golf Tournament 

Successful Thanks to 

Sponsors and Donors 

SPONSORS: 

Bayer CropScience 

ROVRAL – SCALA 

– GEM –RELY280 – 

MOVENTO – LUNA – 

Drew Neilsen – 916.549.2848, 

Research Triangle Park, NC 

Bank of America – 

Bob Munn & Dan Evans, 

Sacramento, CA – 

916.321.3163 

Wells Fargo & Company 

– Gary Orr 

CoBank – Ed Nishio, 

Sacramento, CA – 

916.380.3533 

Yosemite Farm Credit – 

Melba Miyamoto, Turlock, CA 

– 209.667.2366 

V-V Enterprises – Dave 

Van Vliet, Ripon, CA – 

209.599.7776 

American AgCredit – 

Audrey Lopes-Dermond, Turlock 

– 209.667.5101 

International Paper Co. 

– Jay Jordan, Elk Grove, CA – 

916.849.7505 

Oakdale Trading 

Company – Jim Parola, 

Twain Harte, CA – 

209.586.4433 

O.M.C / WESCO – 

Ken Stewart - 559.779.9009 

Joe Martinez - 530.673.2822 

Yuba City, CA 

Alexander Trucking – 

Craig Alexander, Earlimart, CA 

– 661.849.2615 

Button Transportation 

– Bob Button, Dixon, CA – 

707.678.1983 

Valley Farm Transport 

– Dave Nickum, Dixon, CA – 

707.678.4404 

Winton, Ireland, Strom, 

& Green Insurance – Tom 

Murphy, Livingston, CA – 

209.394.7925 & Turlock, CA 

– 209.557.4640 

Malcolm Media (PNP 

Magazine) – Dan Malcolm, 

Clovis, CA – 559.298.6675 

Garton Tractor, Inc. – 

Bill Garton & Eugene Kajioka, 

Turlock, CA – 209.632.3931 

KEVKO Enterprises – 

Kevin Kollmeyer, Ripon, CA – 

209.535.5545 

Aqua Measure 

Instrument Co. – George 

Anasis, La Verne, CA – 

909.392.5833 

Karl M. Smith, Inc. – Victor 

Gamez, Corcoran, CA – 

559.816.2396 

The Hat Source – Teresa & 

Mike Hansen, Atwater, CA – 

209.357.8851 

DONORS: 

R. L. Wells & Associates 

– Rick Wells 

Salida Hulling 

Association – Tony Plaza 

Paramount Hulling/ 

Shelling – Tom Schwartz 

Country Ford Trucks – 

Charlie Fernandes 

Minturn Hulling Coop – 

Jeff Hamilton 

Rick Kindle & Associates 

Fleisig Consulting – Bill 

Fleisig 

Syngenta – David Genzoli 

Sunsweet – Bob Kolberg 

Sunmaid – Rick Stark 

Pan American Insurance 

– Ray Avila 

Pacific Distributing Inc. 

– Billy Ashby 

Mid Valley Agricultural 

Services – Byron Kurosaki 

California Industrial 

Rubber Co. 



The Bee Box 

CHRISTI HEINTZ 

& MEG RIBOTTO 

» Grower and 5th 

generation beekeeper, Rick 

Smith, champions bee 

health year-round. 

In the last 30 years, something has 

been happening in Yuma that others 

in the agricultural world and beyond 

are awakening to. It’s been the topic of 

several conversations and meetings in 

our nation’s capital where policy is being 

discussed. In recent EPA and chemical 

industry meetings, the “Yuma Success 

Story” is being discussed with interest. 

What is the Yuma Success Story and why 

should we be interested? 

THE BEE BOX 

“Healthier bees going into winter gives us healthier bees coming out of winter,” so says 

Alan Clarke, Arizona beekeeper and almond pollinator. Clarke has firsthand 

experience with collapsing honey bee colony populations. Just prior 

to almond pollination a few years ago, he lost more than 80 percent of his 

colonies between Thanksgiving Day and early January. That’s a tough hit 

for any beekeeper that relies on almond pollination to cover much of their 

operating costs. 

More and more beekeepers do rely on almond pollination over honey 

production to make ends meet. The honey business has had its challenges 

of late. Honey production in the United States in 2011 was down 16 

percent compared to the previous year. Bad weather affected honey crops 

in key areas. Cheap foreign honey imports have also had an effect on the 

domestic honey market. 

“Beekeepers exist to pollinate crops, not to make honey,” according to 

another Arizona beekeeper, Rick Smith. “The business model for honey 

production just hasn’t worked well since the late 1990s.” Smith is a fifth 

generation beekeeper who also knows a lot about growing crops for food 

production. He’s a third generation farmer, too. Smith earned a bachelor’s 

degree in biology from the University of Arizona, and minored in range 

and watershed management. 

Yuma’s story took root in the 1980s 

by Smith’s father, and is still evolving 

today. The Yuma model for agriculture 

recognizes two important truths: 1) 

pests need to be controlled, and 2) bees 

are essential to the local agricultural 

community and need to be cared for all 

year long. 

Yuma is the winter lettuce and vegetable 

capital of the U.S. Melons, alfalfa, Sudan 

grass, cotton, wheat, safflower, corn, 

citrus and many vegetable seed crops 

are also grown in the area. In addition 

to pollinating crops with his bees, Smith 

farms cotton and durum wheat. He lives 

and farms in an area that is a microcosm 

The Yuma area, where Smith farms and runs his bee operation, has many 

similarities to the Central Valley’s almond region. Here, where the U.S. 

takes advantage of its last opportunity to access Colorado River water 

before it proceeds south to the Gulf of California, lies some of the most 

intensely farmed land. The Yuma area is a breadbasket for the U.S., just 

like the Central Valley. 

Thomas M. Smith, Rick’s father, on far 

left in this 1946 picture. Yuma beekeeper, 

Thomas M. Smith had the largest 

beekeeping operation in the world at one 

time in the 1960s. 


of many issues challenging agriculture 

today: water, pest and pesticide issues, 

worker exposure, endangered species, 

urban sprawl, and pollinator habitat and 

protection — to name a few. 

The biggest threat to Smith’s livelihood 

as a beekeeper was bee mortality due 

to pesticide exposures. But, being 

a farmer, he knew products were 

necessary to protect his crops and those 

of his neighbors. So he embarked on a 

campaign to get farmers and Pest Control 

Advisors (PCAs) talking together with 

beekeepers about the pests they needed 

to control, the products they used and 

why those products were the best options. 

During these conversations, beekeepers 

shared information about bee behavior, 

flight patterns and flower visitation habits 

for particular crops. 

Growers, beekeepers, PCAs and 

applicators began to cultivate an 

understanding of one another. Keeping 

in mind the desire to make the best choice 

among registered pesticides for a target 

pest, chemical company representatives 

were consulted and field trials ensued. 

Pesticides with short residuals were 

given primary consideration. Next, 

timing of pesticide applications was 

discussed. Ground and aerial applicators 

talked face-to-face with beekeepers 

about particular instances where crops 

were in bloom, foraging by bees was 

underway and colonies were located in 

close proximity to the field. Application 

of both fungicides and insecticides were 

discussed. 

Increased communication between 

growers, applicators and beekeepers 

sowed seeds of change. Night application 

of fungicides and insecticides became 

more commonplace. The use of bee 

repellant products was sometimes 

incorporated in a pesticide application. 

These were two solutions that allowed 

growers to achieve their need for 

pest control while at the same time improving bee safety. 

Chemical company representatives assured growers that 

night applications of pesticides in many cases were found 

to be more effective due to lower temperatures and pest 

behavior. 

Improvements occurred. This cooperative approach 

allowed growers to get the pest control they needed while 

at the same time beekeepers’ losses were reduced. Growers 

did not choose a fungicide or insecticide based solely on 

cost, while at the same time, beekeepers realized a few 

dead bees were acceptable as long as there was no brood or 

queen loss. 

Now, instead of donning a bee suit and heading to work, 

Smith finds he is putting on a business suit more and 

more to promote the Yuma Success Story. Every cause 

needs a champion and Smith champions bee safety in a 

positive way. “Bees need protection, not just during crop 

pollination, but 365 days a year,” he aptly states when 

talking about his mission. “Statements like ‘You can’t’ and 

‘I have a right to …’ have been replaced with ‘Let’s try this’ 

and ‘We can make this work.’” 

What is the take-home lesson of the Yuma Success Story for 

almond growers? In prior Almond Facts “Bee Box” columns 

we have talked about the importance of good communication 

with your beekeepers up to and during almond pollination. 

The Yuma example reminds us that we should consider bees 

not just during almond pollination, but whenever we need 

to apply a pesticide application in our orchards. The Yuma 

Success Story incorporates pollinator safety in Integrated 

Pest Management programs. 

Almond growers have been leaders in environmental 

stewardship and in methods of Integrated Pest Management. 

Insuring we take that one step further to think about honey 

bees year-round, will give us healthier bees during the growing 

season and into fall, and thus, a more plentiful and reasonablypriced 

bee supply coming through the winter. 

The Yuma example isn’t just about farming in “the 

sunniest city in the USA,” as Yuma likes to promote itself, 

but also give us the brightest hope for year-round honey bee 

stewardship. 


TIME TO CONSIDER 

Time To Consider 

ROB KISS, Field Supervisor 

Pest Review 

All of us were hoping for another super crop this year. 

Surprisingly, Mother Nature smiled on us and there 

seems to be a fine crop that some feel could “dilute” Navel 

Orangeworm (NOW) populations. However, heads-up, she 

can still throw us a curve ball. 

NOW 

This year, it looks like the nuts are spread throughout 

the tree; however there appears to be a large percentage 

of the crop on the tops. We need to remember that any 

control needs to be placed where they attack and when 

they attack. You just cannot be late. The key is closely 

monitoring hull split, probably from the top down. Not just 

on the easily reached head-high level. 

Some orchardists feel that when you start seeing blanks 

opening, true hull split is not far behind and this is probably 

not a bad tool. And remember, Peach Twig Borer trap 

levels do not indicate NOW pressure. Make sure you are 

monitoring and receiving reports specific to 

NOW if NOW is your target pest. 

Considerations: if you have any 

combination of the following, NOW 

treatments may be in order. 

• History of damage 

• Over-wintering mummies 

• Poor predator base 

• Neighbors with threatening 

NOW populations 

• Neighboring host crops (Walnuts, Peaches, 

Oranges, etc) 

• Larger nuts with poor shell seal. Any gap in the 

shell exposing the nut meat will give NOW easy 

entrance to the kernel 

• Extended harvest (late) 

Application – it’s always a challenge to pinpoint how 

and when to treat. But some growers who struggle with 

timing or have had heavier populations, achieved good 

success by “bracket” spraying. That is, going every other 

row a little early to get flyers, and returning at optimum 

timing to get the bulk of the population. However, those 

successful bracket applications were not necessarily at half 

level treatments per application. Certainly, a well timed, 

well applied, complete coverage spray works well, too. If 

you have been suffering from higher-than-expected NOW 

level, you may need to augment your current approach. 

Peach Twig Borer 

This is another critter that has continued to be a pest. 

While statewide it may not rank up with the NOW, it is 

still a dangerous pest if it happens to prefer your orchard. 

The problem with this insect is that PTB was pretty well 

controlled with dormant sprays. Today, there has been a 

great reduction of dormant applications and PTB may not 

necessarily be controlled with your hull split spray only. 

If it happens to emerge slightly ahead of the NOW, the 

timing for dual control could be off target. 

The best way to insure control if you suspect PTB damage 

is to monitor them with a PTB trap. 

Again, PTB traps do not indicate 

NOW pressure or 

timing. So if your 

PCA tells you your 

trap levels are 

up, make sure you 

identify which pest 

you are going 

after and time 

the application 

appropriately. 


Got Mites? 

Ants 

Ants? What-a-ya mean ants, we just finished bloom sprays! 

Unfortunately, it’s that time again, particularly if you have a 

history of ant damage or potential for infestations. So, if you 

count back the anticipated time to harvest, it may be closer to 

application than you think and, frankly, there is no guarantee 

of a secure shell seal. 

Thankfully, it’s been a fairly mild spring and 

last year it was not excessively hot. This may 

have lulled growers into a relatively false 

sense of security regarding mites. When it 

gets hot, these guys can complete a generation 

every week or less, and as many as eight to 15 

generations per year! Lucky us. Fortunately, 

we have a fairly strong arsenal of miticides to 

control them before they decimate and defoliate 

the orchard. However, don’t assume you won’t 

get them just because populations have been 

minimal over the last couple of years. 

Any one or combination of the following can 

generate serious mite problems. 

• Stress and heat is a sure-fire formula 

for mites when present 

• Insecticides, “unfriendly” to 

beneficial (pyrethroids, etc) 

• Past history of significant mite problems 

• Insufficient predator mite population 

• Hot-spots 

• Watch the weather — plan ahead. 

If it’s definitely going to get hot, 

recognize the potential 

• Determine economic thresholds early 

— it’s easier to control a smaller, 

more juvenile population than an 

established full-blown infestation 

• Your miticide’s mode of action should 

match the problem; each miticide has 

certain strengths under certain conditions. 

Fortunately, there 

are several very 

effective products. 

Esteem is an IGR 

that controls brood. 

Consider first 

application some 

eight weeks before 

you anticipate harvest. Clinch may be used a little closer to 

harvest, but be sure you are not late. Extinguish, a fairly new 

product, has worked and well is recommended for use six to 

eight weeks prior to harvest. There is also Lorsban with quick 

knock down of populations. 

Recently, it seems like the landscape for ant control is changing. 

Consequently, consider initial treatments at a more robust 

level for improved control if you have 1) heavy pressure; 2) an 

environment for ants with other plentiful food sources to feed on, 

e.g., weed seeds etc; or 3) sprinkler or micro-irrigations systems. 

Some growers have also found it necessary to retreat later when 

pressure necessitates with perhaps rotating materials. With the 

favorable price of almonds, this may be cheap insurance. 

New plantings — if you have a newly planted block on microirrigation 

or sprinkler, keep an eye out. Even if the block did not 

have a history of ants, when a new block goes in on sprinkler or 

drip, ants have a nasty habit of showing up unexpectedly. 

Make sure you have identified the right ant. Many growers 

complain that they have ants, and they probably do, but there 

are several species of ants found in almond orchards throughout 

the state. Many growers confuse Pyramid, Carpenter and 

common Gray ant with Fire ant. Be sure you key them out 

before you treat. 

Researchers have, for some time, found hot dogs work well to 

attract ants for trapping and identification. Most of the bad guys 

(ants) are protein eaters, as opposed to sugar preferring ants found 

around the house. Almond eating ants are also extremely fond of 

potato chips. So, if you find an ant mound, simply scatter a few 

chips. If the chips disappear, so will your almonds. 


WANTED: 

Gasoline Memorabilia: 

Old Gas Pumps, Gas Signs, Oil 

Signs and Car Signs 

Call (559) 485-9496 

WANTED: 

12-foot flail mower. Have 10-foot 

mower to trade. (209) 535-0208. 

FOR SALE: 

Enviromist Model # 3044 

Environmental Spray Dome 

Orcharch Special 

Tow-Type, 16 ft wide, extends to 24 

ft, Only used for two seasons, like 

new. $6,500 (209) 761-0911 

FOR SALE: 

5100 Flory Pickup Machine, 

recently serviced by Flory; 

2 Supercarts, $12,000.00. 

(209) 632-4652 after 6:00 p.m. 

FOR SALE: 

Rears 100 gal weed sprayer. 16’ – 

24’ boom, like new. $2,900. 

Gopher getter, $2,400. 

2009 backhoe, has 2 buckets. 

$5000 

2009 D.R. Field and Brush Mower. 

$2300 

(209) 358-9115 

FOR SALE: 

400 gal. farm fuel storage tank on 

wheels with hand pump, filter and 

hose, $900. 

60 gal. fuel tank on wheels with 

hand pump, filter and hose, $300. 

120 gal. weed sprayer on wheels 

with 7-ft. shielded boom in back 

and 6 Teejets, $1000. 

The centrifugal pump is driven by 

the tractor hydraulic system. 

Call (209) 537-9491. Modesto 

FOR SALE: 

(1) Johnson 6ft sweeper 2 

cylinder , Deutz Engine, updated 

transmission. $5,300 

(2) Johnson’s pickup machines, 

$5,500 each 

Call (559) 485-9496 

FOR SALE: 

Air-O-Fan 500 gallon sprayer. 

Ford industrial gas engine. 

Good pump, works great. $1,800. 

Call Ken, (209) 613-4286. 

FOR SALE: 

Amaid Automatic Filter, Ace 

Filters 3 in. – 4 in., in-line electric 

operation includes electric 

automatic flushing system, in line 

fertigation hook-up. $950. 

(209) 471-2786. Manteca. 

CLASSIFIED ADS 


FOR SALE: 

One new 2 ¼” x 16’ solid tool bar, 

best offer; 1997 Weekend Warrior 

30’ 5 th wheel toy hauler w/air & 

generator, good condition, best 

offer. 

Almond firewood $299.00/cord. 

(707) 678-2698. 

Deerpoint Group, Inc. 

Chemical Solutions for Ag Irrigation 

DEERPOINT CAN TREAT YOUR... 

• Well Water •Reservoir Water •Surface Water 

• Hardness and Alkalinity •Iron and Manganese 

• Algae •Bacteria 

... and prevent the problems they 

cause in your drip system 

ATTENTION: 

Experienced farmer looking for 

almond orchard to lease or custom 

farm in the Merced, Atwater, 

Livingston or Turlock areas. Call 

Alex at (209) 261-9333. 

Free listings in this section 

are for the exclusive use of 

Blue Diamond members. 

Call today for a 

FREE site evaluation 

and water analysis 

559-224-4000 

www.thedeerpointgroup.com 

4339 N. Selland 

Fresno, CA 93722 

info@thedeerpointgroup.com 

Classified ads for personal use 

— not as an additional means of 

advertising commercial ventures 

members may own. Ads are 

limited to a maximum of 10 lines 

and may be submitted to Blue 

Diamond field supervisors or by 

contacting the editor directly at: 

Editor: Blue Diamond 

Growers 

P.O. Box 1768, 

Sacramento, CA 95812 

Or contact Cassandra Keyse at: 

Phone: (916) 446-8353 

Fax: (916) 325-2880 

Email: ckeyse@bdgrowers.com 

Unless advised otherwise, ads 

will run two consecutive issues. 

In order to guarantee placement, 

classified listings must be submitted 

by the 10th of: January, March, 

May, July, September & November. 


BLUE DIAMOND GROWERS 

1802 C STREET 

Sacramento, CA 95811 

PRESORT 

STANDARD 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

SACRAMENTO, CA 

PERMIT NO. 694

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