As an agricultural service provider, Grow West occupies a specific, defined position in the northern California almond supply chain. But to be its best, the Grow West team knows that takes a broader perspective that stretches beyond the gates of its 18 retail, farm supply and wholesale manufacturing locations and its customers’ almond orchards.  

Maintaining a holistic understanding of and strong network within the entire industry are big reasons why Grow West is a proud supporter of the Almond Board of California Almond Leadership Program. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lucas Schmidt — one of the program’s alumni — knows a comprehensive understanding of the whole almond industry is the foundation of effective service and products for Grow West’s almond grower customers.  

“When you sit down and look around that room on day-one and see people representing so many different facets of the almond industry — including some of the best people in the industry — you know that you are part of something that is going to create real value at the farm gate,” said Schmidt, a member of the program in 2019. “Every participant gets educated on the entire industry instead of looking at it from his or her own narrow area of focus.”  

Started in 2009, the Almond Leadership Program brings together a diverse group of California almond industry stakeholders ranging from producers to lenders. The program helps participants build relationships with other almond industry leaders, develop communication skills, prepare for future leadership roles and learn the intricacies of all sectors of the almond supply chain.  

“The program is meant to develop new leaders and give class members a sneak peek of all facets of the almond industry. A huge component of the program is networking. Class members get a really good overview of program areas on which the Almond Board focuses,” said Almond Board of California Industry Relations Specialist Rebecca Bailey. “There’s also a mentorship component. Every participant is paired with a mentor who’s gone through the program and can provide guidance throughout the year as they advance their leadership capabilities. It’s a really unique component of the program.” 

Gaining an industry’s worth of experience

Each year, 18 individuals are selected for the yearlong program after a rigorous, competitive application process. The program comprises monthly meetings and seminars during which class members network and share insights on and research underway in their respective segments of the industry.    

In addition to a fundraising component — Schmidt’s class raised $50,000 for FFA Foundation scholarships and volunteered at a children’s hospital — each class culminates with the presentation of research projects that demonstrate participants’ advanced expertise in the industry and the different priorities for the Almond Board of California. The class votes for one project to be featured at the annual Almond Conference.  

Schmidt’s project — an almond beer he and classmate Dominique Camou, a southern California almond processor at Famoso Nut Company, LLC, developed in conjunction with Temblor Brewing Company in Bakersfield — was selected as the 2019 class’s top project. Schmidt said the partnership forged in the process demonstrates the strength of the Almond Leadership Program’s networking component. 

“Dom and I met for the first time at our first Almond Leadership meeting and as we got to know each other, we thought ‘Why don’t we work together on this?’” Schmidt said. “We didn’t know each other beforehand, and we are still close to this day.”

Why this matters to Grow West communities

The experience Schmidt and other participants have gained in the Almond Leadership Program helps broaden industry expertise beyond normal boundaries. Schmidt said the Almond Board of California’s investment in the program’s participants helps elevate the entire industry.  

“If you can invest in younger leaders in the long term and they continue to work in the almond industry, you’re lifting the whole industry. Everyone who participates is much more educated on the entire industry instead of looking at it from their specific, narrow area of focus,” Schmidt said.  

Specifically, that often means participants go on to take on larger leadership roles in the industry, Bailey said. But while they contribute to some of the highest levels of industry leadership, that same ethic is applied at the local community level where almond growers and Grow West customers can benefit from the experience participants glean from the leadership program. 

“They go on to serve in their own communities as well as our boards and committees. Whether it is an irrigation district, water board or 4-H club, they often take their connections made and expertise developed in the program and turn it into a new way of serving the almond industry on multiple levels,” said Bailey, adding that Schmidt’s participation in the program has helped boost Grow West’s commitment to supporting local and regional FFA.  

The 2024 class of the Almond Leadership Program will begin meeting shortly after the start of the new year. To stay informed about what’s happening in the program, including fundraising events and how to get involved in the future, go to Almonds.com/almondleadershipprogram.