Record Number Attend Almond Convention
May 14, 2014 The Almond Hullers & Processors Association (AHPA) concluded its 33rd Annual Convention and Trade Show last week at the Fess Parker DoubleTree in Santa Barbara. More than 440 people registered for this year’s convention, which offered both educational and networking opportunities for AHPA members.
“This was our most well-attended convention ever, and featured speakers who discussed the critical issues impacting our members’ businesses,” said Kelly Covello, president of AHPA. “As always, we worked to balance educational opportunities with a little fun for everyone.”
One of the best attended sessions focused on the most critical issue impacting California agriculture — drought. “There is broad consensus about the challenges we face with our water supply in California,” said Dee Dee D’Adamo, who has served as a director on the State Water Resources Control board since 2013. “This drought has been a catalyst to help people understand that our water system is not sustainable.”
“Considering that California almond growers are responsible for almost 80% of the worldwide supply and 100% of the U.S. supply, the unprecedented drought our state is facing will have significant repercussions in the coming year for consumers,” said Covello. “Ms. D’Adamo provided some perspective on how our industry aligns with the overall state priorities related to water shortages, storage and agricultural allocations.”
Linda Harris, a University of California Cooperative Extension specialist in food safety microbiology and an associate director with the Western Institute for Food Safety, talked to convention participants about food safety concerns surrounding almonds, and offered the most recent recommendations for best practices that hullers and processors can employ to reduce pathogen rates. She also gave a brief update on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
Julie Adams, vice president of technical, regulatory and government affairs for the Almond Board, provided an update regarding issues that Almond Board staff is addressing in conjunction with AHPA as part of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two organizations that was established in 2013.
“The Almond Board’s tireless work on promotion and technical issues related to our product will be a great benefit to our association in its advocacy efforts with elected officials and regulatory agencies,” said David Pohl, current chairman of AHPA and manager of Pohl & Holmes Hulling in Hughson, CA. “Lobbying is not allowed under the federal marketing order administered by the Almond Board, but the MOA between our two organizations will allow AHPA to contract Almond Board staff expertise to assist with some of our common advocacy interests and AHPA’s political outreach efforts, while still allowing both organizations to stay true to their missions.”
The Thursday seminar sessions focused on several regulatory compliance issues, including a presentation from Erik White, division chief, California Air Resources Board, who discussed restrictions related to AB 32 and amendments to the diesel Truck and Bus Regulation. In the same vein, Judy Yorke, Yorke Engineering, LLC discussed issues related to California Air Quality Compliance.
Employers benefited from the two final sessions that featured Vic Gunderson with Der Manouel Insurance Group discussing health care reform compliance. Michael Goldfarb, an employment attorney with Holman HR, discussed new laws impacting employers in 2014 and provided valuable tips to help them avoid costly human resource errors.
The AHPA Annual Business Meeting closed out the educational portion of the convention. The association reported continued membership growth and a positive financial picture.
Paul Parreira, chair of the AHPA By-product Quality and Research Committee, and co-owner of Ryan-Parreira Almond Company updated members regarding work the association has conducted to better standardize hull grading standards for livestock feed buyers.
“The size of the dairy and livestock industries in California means that hulls are not simply a waste product of the almond harvest process, but are a valuable feed commodity,” said Covello. “It is important that the feed grading standards keep pace with the demand from livestock buyers, so that they can be assured they are buying a consistent product that meets specific standards.”
Other committee reports focused on the association’s work in growing membership, food safety research, regulatory compliance, and government relations.
During the Annual Banquet, John Wynn of Golden Empire Shelling, LLC, and former chairman of the AHPA board was recognized as Member of the Year in recognition of his work in solidifying the memorandum of agreement with the Almond Board of California.
Cavan Bruederele of Cardinal Professional Products, was recognized as Associate Member of the Year for his ongoing work in providing AHPA members with continuing education courses, and for being a valuable technical resource to AHPA staff.
Sixty huller and processor members were also recognized at the banquet for participating in a voluntary third-party verification program that certifies the operations are using industry-supported good manufacturing practices.
The 33rd Annual Convention included several breakout sessions and continuing education opportunities for attendees, as well as a trade show that featured 32 exhibitors. Members also had a chance to have a little fun by participating in several social functions, including golf and tennis tournaments.
AHPA’s membership represents more than 90% of the tonnage harvested in California’s almond trade that in 2012 had a farm gate value of $4.3 billion.
Source: Almond Hullers & Processors Association
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