Conference Theme
The California Almond industry has always been a resilient and forward thinking industry, even in tough economic times. Now in 2009, the Almond Board of California has the opportunity to exemplify leadership in a challenging global economic environment. The theme for the 37th Annual Almond Industry Conference is "Driving Value Through Innovation." This is a time for the California Almond industry to take maximum advantage of opportunities to strengthen our reputation as a leader in providing a safe and wholesome food, to create greater value for the versatility, quality and breadth of supply, and to become an active part of the solution to the sustainability of California‘s precious natural resources and agricultural community.

Printable Day 1 Agenda | Printable Day 2 Agenda

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Presentations and Workshops
Every December, California Almond growers, handlers and allied industry members gather for the only conference in the country dedicated entirely to the almond industry. Serving as a center for communication, the 37th Annual Almond Industry Conference will offer production hot topics, and a number of "hot topic" presentations that directly impact handlers' decisions and activities in the market place. For more information on the specific presentations, refer to the Production Research Track and the Regulatory/Marketing Presentations below.

New this year, growers will have the option to attend special workshops/training modules.

All attendees will have the opportunity to attend the "Food Safety: It Takes a Village" panel. Guest speakers will address the responsibilities, challenges and impact of food safety requirements, and how outbreaks — and fear of
food-borne illness outbreaks — are driving change throughout the supply chain, and within the regulatory environment. Using examples from the almond industry‘s own Salmonella outbreaks, recent peanut and pistachio recalls and best practices in assuring food safety at each point of the process, the panel will discuss the effect of food safety scares on consumer behavior, the impact of their reputations and on their businesses — from the standpoints of profitability and increased regulation as governments react to consumer demand for safer foods. At each step of the supply chain, value — in the form of consumer confidence — is created by investments in technology, training, partnerships with preceding and following supply chain members, and transparent communications with consumers, the media, and regulators.

In both the consumer packaged goods and food service sectors, innovation — keeping consumers interested and inspired — is the key to growth. New and exciting twists on traditional favorites can breathe new life into retail products and menu items. As ingredient and other input costs continue to rise, manufacturers and food service professionals are looking for ways to innovate while sustaining profitability for their businesses.

Although information has been made available on the various varieties, sizes and attributes of California Almonds, there has been little focus or outreach that celebrates the various varieties, sizes and shapes of California Almonds. This versatility of range presents opportunities to innovate using smaller sizes and different varieties, and provide an additional differentiator for California Almonds in the minds of our volume driver audiences. The "Versatility and Innovation: An Ingredient of Many Choices" panel will explore how innovation occurs and how trends can be tapped to create value for the consumer, and sustained profitability for the volume driver.


Day 1 Highlights

• State of the Almond Industry by Almond Board of California Executive Staff
• New This Year - Equipment Display Canopy
• Gala Event and Keynote Address

Day 2 Highlights

• Annual Growers‘ Breakfast
• Handler Technical Regulatory and Trade Presentations
• Lunch with Industry Experts

Production Research Presentations

Day 1: Wednesday, December 9

Pollination Update:
Researchers will roll out the ALMOPOL pollination model - a tool being developed and refined that will help growers decide strength and number of hives needed under various orchard and weather scenarios. The year-round activities of a migratory beekeeping operation will be showcased, updates on colony health, and a preview of bee supply and considerations for the upcoming 2010 bloom season will be reviewed.

CCA Units: 2.0 Pest Management

Field Update Food Safety Research and GAPs:
Food Safety begins in the field and accordingly, the Almond Board of California has funded research giving growers the tools to manage and reduce food safety risks like aflatoxin and Salmonella. Panelists will review ongoing research and the latest findings on the occurrence of aflatoxin, its association with insect pests like the navel orangeworm, and how to manage stockpiles to avoid development of the Aspergillus mold and aflatoxin. In addition, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) minimizing food-borne diseases like Salmonella will be reviewed.

CCA Units: 1.0 Professional Development, 0.5 Pest Management
DPR Units: 1.0 Other

Balancing Insect Management with Environmental Concerns:
This session will provide an update on the latest tools and approaches for effective insect and mite management, and how these can be balanced with environmental regulations. Tools to evaluate the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions from pesticides, and surface water protection measures will be reviewed.

CCA Units: 1.5 Pest Management, 0.5 Soil/Water
DPR Units: 0.5 Laws and Regs, 0.5 Other

Day 2: Thursday, December 10

Almond Irrigation World Round-Up:
Water availability and use efficiency are critical issues being faced by growers all around the world. With continued uncertainty about the future of California‘s water supply, panelists of the "Almond Irrigation World Round-Up" will discuss water management from different global perspectives. The session will look at Australia‘s experience with drought, perspectives from Spain, and what we‘ve learned in California in 2009. In addition, we will cover the important role of irrigation scheduling for top yields, crop quality and food safety.

CCA Units: 2.0 Soil and Water

Disease Management Update:
A panel of research experts will review the latest in fungicide development and resistance management. Additionally, they will provide an update on the factors contributing to lower limb dieback and the effective management of lower limb dieback and canker diseases.

CCA Units: 0.5 Crop Management
DPR Units: 0.5 Other

Nutrients - Production and Environmental Issues:
Researches will review progress to date on an interdisciplinary approach developing updated field-oriented nutrition management guidelines and new technologies to assess nutrient status. This work will yield an efficient, flexible and environmentally responsible approach to fertility management known as a "nutrient budget". In line with this, there will be a discussion on maintaining ground water quality, particularly in relation to build up of salts and nitrates.

CCA Units: 1.0 Nutrient Management
DPR Units: 0.5 Other

Variety Development, Evaluation and Selection: Balancing Field Performance and Market Potential:
Balancing field performance and market potential of varieties is a key consideration in choosing what varieties to plant. This panel will discuss where variety development has been, and where it is headed in the future. Speakers will also discuss what past variety trials have shown us, and how this knowledge has been applied to improve variety selection. Coupled with this will be a discussion of marketing perspectives. Putting all this information, experience and knowledge together, growers will learn the factors to consider in choosing what varieties to plant, and how to work with them to yield the best product possible in their condition.

CCA Units: 1.0 Crop Management

Regulatory/Marketing Presentations

Day 1: Wednesday, December 9

Consumer Ag Perception:
Caring about the environment, how crops are grown, using pesticides safely, ensuring rural economies thrive – these need to be priorities for growers as well as for consumers. Unfortunately, that‘s not always understood. This session will cover new research on how consumers perceive agriculture and will offer up some insights to growers and handlers regarding why producers and consumers don‘t always speak the same language.

CCA Units: 1.0 Professional Development

The Regulatory Landscape - Growing Ever More Complex:
Whether it is at a State or Federal level, the regulatory requirements on agriculture are becoming more complicated and demanding. This session will provide an overview of new legislation impacting everything from food safety to air quality, and the ultimate repercussions for California Almond producers.

CCA Units: 1.5 Professional Development

Day 2: Thursday, December 10

European Port Procedures and VASP Workshop:
The European Union: the largest export destination for California Almonds, and in light of aflatoxin import control procedures, recently one of the most complicated. This session will provide an opportunity to discuss the interpretation of enforcement controls in key EU markets, as well as procedures for returning rejected consignments to the U.S.

CCA Units: 1.5 Professional Development