Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1084285
3 We do have to keep in mind that crop year 2018/19 is the final year of the temporary assessment increase. The assessment returns to 3 cents from 4 cents with next year's crop. The assessment's return to 3 cents will naturally signify a reduction in revenue for ABC activities until the crop size fully compensates in coming years. ABC staff and the Global Market Development Committee will be carefully administering the market development funds that we have at our disposal to ensure the best return on those funds between the many markets that we serve. past so let's be certain that we do nothing less this year, and in the years to come! Crop year 2018/19 will also herald the launch of two important signature attributes of the California almond industry: a new vision and mission, and the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals. You will be hearing and reading much more about both of these, but let me give you a brief introduction, as I'm very proud of them and very appreciative of the time and effort that the Board of Directors and ABC executive staff dedicated to bringing them to life. Crop year 2018/19 brings the industry a step closer to the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and the implications that this program will have in terms of water resource management for almond growers. It's also a year in which we will be dealing on many levels with air quality issues in the valley, pesticide challenges in the valley and abroad, and the gradual increase of labor costs. All of this means that we will have to be that much smarter and work even harder to accelerate discovery and adoption of best practices and technologies that can ensure the long-term viability of our wonderful industry. We've proved that we can do this in spades in the THE NEW VISION AND MISSION: Vision: California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. Mission: Expand global consumption of California almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research and accelerated adoption of industry best practices. Vision and mission statements are not easy to craft. To be honest, they're downright difficult to write! I think that we have done an excellent job in the vision statement of emphasizing that the products we grow, and the industry's agricultural practices, are extremely beneficial to those who consume almonds and utilize almond orchard biomass, as well as those who come in contact with the industry. And we've kept this statement short and crisp. Similarly, the mission statement communicates that we lead through three indispensable actions: strategic global development, innovative research and accelerated adoption of best practices. Only three things to get right to realize our vision! Again, I think that the group did an amazing job of boiling down all the possibilities into the mission statement that the Board approved. The Almond Orchard 2025 Goals, adopted by the Board of Directors in June 2018, are: By 2025, the California almond community commits to: Reduce the amount of water used to grow a pound of almonds by 20% Achieve zero waste in our orchards by putting everything we grow to optimal use Increase adoption of environmentally friendly pest management tools by 25% Reduce dust during harvest by 50% The Almond Orchard 2025 Goals aren't just new, they're unprecedented! Setting goals can accomplish many things: They can help set priorities. They can unite the industry to collectively achieve the goals. They can help communicate to the world about the journey we're on to continually improve our industry on many fronts. They can garner support from the media, regulatory officials and our customers and consumers. Goal setting and attainment can produce multiple benefits for our industry. This is why the Almond Board of California Board of Directors adopted them, and we will be working closely with you over the next six years to make sure we not only achieve them but exceed them. With all of this said, let me conclude by taking this opportunity to wish everyone reading this inaugural issue of How We Grow a wonderful holiday season, and a brilliant and fresh start to 2019! Almonds forever! Richard Waycott