For the first time, potential speakers may submit proposals to present at The Almond Conference in December on selected topics. Proposals will be considered on the following topics:
Estate Planning
Estate planning can be difficult, especially for farmers. To help make the process easier, this one-hour session should include high-level discussion on considerations and decisions needed for a business to survive into the future, and how those decisions may affect almond growers’ land, assets and family.
Worker Safety
Worker safety is a constant and never-ending concern for almond business owners and operators. This session may include components related to heat illness prevention, tractor or forklift operations, night worker safety, sexual harassment, etc. Regulatory updates and considerations almond growers or processors need to account for in their daily operations may also be a component of this session.
Human Resources
Topics may include hiring decisions, compliance with labor laws and employment standards, administration of employee benefits, recruitment and dismissal, etc.
Labor
Topics may include employment and safety (including but not limited to Cal/OSHA), laws and regulations, farm labor opportunities and constraints, and more.
Succession Planning
Thinking about the future of an almond operation is serious business; this session should focus on the thinking and decisions behind creating a shared vision for a family business, and how to construct a plan to put that vision into action.
Almond Food Safety
This 90-minute session should provide insight into the food safety landscape impacting almond handlers or growers, and may include topics covering consumer demands and food safety, regulatory considerations, novel approaches for pathogen control, and/or application of science/technology in the food safety arena.
By submitting a proposal, speakers are confirming that if selected, they have the necessary approvals, are able to travel to Sacramento, and have the authority to present on the proposed topic. It is the speaker’s responsibility to obtain the necessary approvals from within their organization to speak about the topic outlined in the proposal prior to submitting.
All selected speakers will be provided a free, all-access pass to The Almond Conference, Dec. 6–8. All presentations will be 60 minutes in length and will be presented at the Sacramento Convention Center. Travel and hotel are the responsibility of the speakers.
Visit The Almond Conference website to submit a proposal before the July 31 deadline.
