Category: Mark’s Corner

A Message from Mark Jansen

As my tenure at Blue Diamond Growers comes to a close, I feel a great sense of pride as I turn the page on this particular chapter of my professional narrative. My friends have asked how long it will take to get almonds off my mind. The truth is that...

Blue Diamond 2021 Summer Internships

In mid-June, Blue Diamond welcomed 14 college interns across all three sites for a 12-week summer internship. The goal of Blue Diamond’s Intern Program is to develop future talent through meaningful, project-based work, cohort group meetings, development sessions, team-building events, field and site tours, and regular coaching. Our interns...

Strength Through Partnership

It’s difficult to believe that just over a year ago our world was turned upside down from a public health crisis that impacted nearly every facet of our daily lives. Fortunately, with the adoption of new public safety measures and the introduction of vaccines, we can all start to...

The Future of Food and Agriculture in California

This month I had the pleasure of joining executives from Beyond Meat and Sunbasket in discussing trends and issues that are top of mind for those in agribusiness—including increased investment in sustainability and technology. Thank you to DCA Partners for hosting “The Future of Food and Agriculture in California”....

Sustaining Healthy Growth

2020 was a year of historic proportions. The global pandemic created significant issues in both international trade and logistics, as well as in consumer buying patterns. After last spring’s dramatic price correction, pricing has remained relatively consistent through the fall season, with rallying points occurring as customers respond to...

The Power of Innovation, The Value of Blue Diamond

This is a unique year for Blue Diamond, where business as usual is dramatically changing. We are continuously finding new ways to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 health crisis.    This past year, apprehensions over tariff issues with China were replaced by world-wide concerns over the impacts of...

Rising to the Challenge

We can agree that this has been an extraordinary year. I know the challenges and uncertainty presented by this COVID-19 health crisis have been far reaching in both the personal and professional lives of our team members and grower-owners. In agriculture, the seasons continue even with the challenges of...

From One Blue Diamond Family to Another

Adversity often brings out the true character of a business or individual and the compassion, agility and resilience displayed throughout our organization these last several months has been both inspiring and humbling. The COVID-19 situation has clearly reinforced the strength of our co-op and our people. I want to...

Serving Our Communities in Uncertain Times

A message from Mark Jansen, President and CEO, Blue Diamond Growers Many say the coronavirus COVID-19 could be the greatest challenge for this generation. While daily there are new challenges and uncertainties, each day is also filled with heroic action and hope. This is true for our country and...

A New Year, A New Decade

Happy New Year! It is the beginning of a new decade and continued optimism for Blue Diamond Growers. In 2020, we also celebrate the co-op’s 110th anniversary. It all started on May 6, 1910, with nine local organizations coming together to form the California Almond Growers Exchange. This was...