OF NOTE

Election: Cast Your Ballot Now

The Almond Board election is happening now. Don't miss this opportunity to vote for the 2010 Board of Directors. Ballots were mailed on Jan. 29, and need to be received in the ABC office by Feb. 17. Board members and alternates are instrumental in determining and setting protocol for the issues and policies that affect the whole almond industry. So, let your voice be heard.

For more information about the election, email Sue Olson or call (209) 343-3224.

 

National Almond Day—February 16

February is embraced as Heart Health Month around the country. In celebration of National Almond Day on Feb. 16, consumers are encouraged to grab a handful of almonds and enjoy the many rewards of a handful a day.

 

Lucky Winner

Those of you who stopped by the ABC booth at recent industry events, including the Almond Industry Conference, probably received a California Almonds cap. The cap provided an opportunity to check out the new and improved ABC Web site and to sign up for a chance to win a Netbook computer. A random drawing on Dec. 21 selected Micah Zeff of Montpelier Nut Company, as the lucky winner. Congratulations, Micah! Even though the rest of you did not win the Netbook computer, take heart, you still have one great looking hat!

 

ABC Web Pages Tackle Important Issues

In response to questions and concerns about water, air quality and food safety, ABC has created Web site pages addressing these areas of major concern to the industry. To take advantage of the information and resources available on these issues, log on to almondboard.com/waterways, almondboard.com/airquality, or almondboard.com/foodsafety. The California Almond industry is well known for its proactive stance on the many issues facing the industry, and water, air quality and food safety are no exception.

 

Farm Advisor Internships Available

The Pomology Almond Internship Program gave four students an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to field experience as they spent last summer interning with pomology farm advisors in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. Their activities ranged from checking insect traps to determining irrigation needs with pressure chambers to logging trial data, collecting and analyzing harvest samples and accompanying farm advisors as they made farm calls.

The internship program, now in its second year, is a partnership between University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the Almond Board of California.

Undergraduate and graduate students interested in agricultural research and Extension activities are encouraged to apply for this year's internship program. Internships are available for four-month or six-month periods.

For an in-depth article highlighting the 2009 Pomology Almond Internship Program see the January 27 issue of AgAlert.

Applications can be made online and are due Feb. 26.