Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1268831
ALMOND COMMUNITY Almond Board of California 18 agriculture. She initiated conversations with the Environmental Committee that led to grower focus groups to develop a definition of sustainability that was meaningful for almond growers. Her parting shot to me when she left ABC to move to Arizona was, 'Figure out sustainability for almonds!'" But more important than work, says Ludwig, was "her moral compass, her high expectations, her drive, her leadership, and also her degree of caring." Bob Curtis, Ph.D., the Almond Board's former director of Agricultural Affairs, cited Heintz for her "progressive vision on honey bee nutrition, in particular, supplemental forage and PAm.'s Seeds for Bees program," which gives free cover crop seed mixes to growers in an effort to provide bees natural nutrition before and after almond bloom, when there is a dearth of pollen. "Her leadership on this issue will be long remembered by our industry," Curtis said. Karen Lapsley, Ph.D., ABC's former Chief Scientific Officer, reflected on her memories of Heintz: "When I joined ABC in 1999, Chris was responsible for both the nutrition and production research programs. She initiated ABC efforts to fund key human clinical trials, but it was clear her passion lay with production research and the complex web of interaction with growers, farm advisors and especially bee researchers! She willingly handed over the management of the stellar network of nutrition researchers she had established for ABC." Matt Billings, former chair of ABC's Production Research Committee, met Heintz shortly after she was hired in 1996, when he was the new chair of the committee. "It was during these years that we would often trade hiking and backpacking stories," he explained. "She was the best liaison a young green chair could want. We spent countless meetings, lunches and dinners strategizing and working to improve the production side of the almond industry. She was strong, strategic and, above all, trustworthy. She truly loved the almond industry and especially the bees used to pollinate them, as seen in her later work for PAm. I will miss her and her passion for life." Former Almond Board CEO Rodger Wasson (1991-2001) recalled, "When I moved to California to become CEO of the Almond Board it became clear that we needed a special talent to head the scientific and research needs of the industry. It didn't take long for Chris's name to come up, although she wasn't looking for a job and she didn't want to leave Sacramento. As we talked, it became clear that she was the perfect person for the job and there was no reason that she would have to move. While most people associated Chris with leading the production research for the Almond Board, many do not realize that she managed the early nutrition research that became a foundation of the almond industry's success. Chris's knowledge, enthusiasm and upbeat personality is sadly to be missed but can forever be appreciated by co-workers, friends and almond growers who harvest many benefits of her contributions." Heintz is survived by her husband Mike, daughters Tara and Erin, son Kevin and nine grandchildren. A Celebration of Life was held in Green Valley, Arizona. More details can be found at a memorial website 1 established by her family. Heintz (right) shown with a grower. Photo courtesy of The Modesto Bee At The Almond Conference 2005, former ABC staff member Sue Olson (left) presented Heintz with a quilt commemorating her years of service to the California almond industry upon her retirement from ABC. Matt Billings is also shown. 1 https://ptwob244.wixsite.com/christi/in-her-honor