The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted U.S. Federally Mandated Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Established in 1950, the Almond Board of California’s charge is to promote the best-quality product and increase production of almonds, California’s largest tree crop. The Almond Board of California seeks to expand the domestic and international markets for almonds through generic public relations, advertising, and other marketing activities. It also tracks almond industry statistics and annually publishes the Almond Almanac.
The Almond Board consists of ten members: five almond growers and five almond processors. All members serve without compensation, donating time, effort, and energy for the good of the industry. A staff of professionals works with the Almond Board-appointed committees to carry out directives.
The Almond Board is funded by an assessment on marketable kernel pound weight of almonds. It establishes assessment figures at the beginning of every harvest year. As a result of Board-sponsored research and improvement of production techniques, almond yields per acre and overall supplies of almonds have risen over the past decade.
Almond Board Committees
The following board-appointed committees further the work of the Almond Board.
Administrative and Finance Committee
The Administrative and Finance Committee is ultimately responsible for reviewing all budgetary recommendations and the assessment rate prior to consideration by the Board. This committee is also responsible for reviewing quarterly and annual financial statements as well as the ABC’s annual external audit. The committee is comprised of five members and five alternates plus the Treasurer. View Committee Events
Reserve Committee
The Reserve Committe is responsible for reviewing industry supply and trade demand on an annual basis, and making a recommendation to the Board for action and approval by the Secretary, USDA regarding the establishment of salable and reserve percentages of almonds. The Committee is comprised of seven members and seven alternates. View Committee Events
Leadership Development Committee
The Leadership Development Committee is responsible for identifying, recommending and administering outreach, leadership and education activities for Almond Board, committee and industry development. The committee is comprised of five members.View Committee Events
Food Quality and Safety Committee
The Food Quality and Safety Committee sets policy for and oversees the industry’s quality control program while conducting research in a number of areas to ensure that California Almonds remain a safe, high quality product. The committee oversees the USDA mandated pasteurization requirement. There are seven members and seven alternates on the committee. View Committee Events
Environmental Committee
The Environmental Committee provides leadership on environmental issues facing the almond growers through research and education on almond production practices based on sound scientific research, common sense, and a respect for the environment. The Committee consists of seven members and seven alternates.View Committee Events
International Committee
The International Committee oversees marketing activities outside North America and administers USDA Foreign Agricultural Service funding grants in order to raise awareness, consumption, and usage of California Almonds in foreign markets. Key target markets currently include the European Union, China, India, Korea, and Japan. Through its subcommittee on Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs, the Committee also monitors trade policy and technical issues, which impact the global movement of almonds. The Committee consists of seven members and seven alternates.View Committee Events
Production Research Committee
The Production Research Committee oversees Almond Board-funded agriculture research in the areas of horticulture, entomology, plant pathology and nematology, integrated pest management (IPA), pollination and field oriented studies to reduce and manage aflatoxin. Since 1973 the committee has supported relevant research and assured field implementation of the findings. These efforts have resulted in increased production efficiency, improved quality, and environmentally responsible orchard and pest management practices. The Committee consists of seven members and seven alternates. View Committee Events
Nutrition Research Committee
The Nutrition Research Committee is comprised of seven members and six alternates, consisting of food scientists, nutritionists, almond growers and other almond industry representatives. Current strategic research areas focus on the relationship between consumption of almonds and Heart Health, Diabetes/Prediabetes, Weight Management/Gut Health, Phytochemicals/Composition, Allergens, and other areas. Ongoing nutrition research adds to the existing body of almond science, and is utilized by the Board in global marketing outreach programs to promote the consumption of almonds.View Committee Events
Public Relations and Advertising Committee
The PR and Advertising Committee is comprised of seven members and seven alternates. The committee is responsible for the review and recommendation of all North American marketing programs. The Board’s NA marketing activities include print advertising campaigns, Public Relations campaigns, and market research for consumer, health professional and industrial and foodservice target audiences. View Committee Events
In addition, the Board staff compiles and tracks almond statistics, and informs and educates growers through the annual conference.
