WCN_Dec17WEB

ship 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.
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 the Vice President,
Senior Relationship Manager at 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
VISIT US!
BOOTH 713
at the Almond Conference
in Sacramento
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
Continued on Page 32
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.
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December 2017
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