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in fact, that's inspired her special
project: to build ag-related, STEM-
incorporated curriculum for the
Salida School District.
"This project brings my career full
circle: I have a love for farming and
almonds, and also for education and
helping teachers and students learn
more about our amazing industry,"
Nuckles said.
From a self-propelled zapper to
ag-based STEM curriculum, the 2019
Leadership class is driven to push
themselves to serve the industry both
this year and for years to come.
"The work ethic of those in the
Almond Leadership Program is truly
representative of the grit, tenacity
and desire to do what's right that is
exemplified through the entire almond
industry," said Mike Curry.
Are you interested in applying
for next year's Almond Leadership
Program? Attend The 2019 Almond
Conference, Dec. 10–12, to meet this
year's participants, and learn more
about the program at Almonds.com/
LeadershipProgram.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
William (Bill) Lyons
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently appointed Bill
Lyons of West Modesto to Agriculture Liaison in
the Office of the Governor. Lyons served as
Secretary of the California Department of Food
and Agriculture under Gov. Gray Davis from
1999 to 2004 and also received the United
States Department of Agriculture National
Environmentalist Award. A third-generation farmer,
Lyons formerly oversaw his family's 95-year-old
operation in Stanislaus County, which includes
almond farming and cattle ranching.
Rebecca Bailey and Jenny Nicolau
California Future Farmers of America (FFA)
Association awarded the Honorary State FFA
Degree to ABC's Rebecca Bailey and Jenny
Nicolau at the State FFA Leadership Conference
in Anaheim on April 27. The Honorary State
Degree is the highest award presented to an
individual/group of individuals by the California
FFA Association, and the degree program aims to
recognize those who have rendered outstanding
service to California agricultural education and
the California FFA Association. Bailey and Nicolau
both participated in FFA throughout high school.
Looking to recommend a "Mover and Shaker" for a future How We Grow?
Email Ashley Knoblauch (aknoblauch@almondboard.com) with the person's name and a
paragraph explaining why you believe they deserve recognition.
Raj Kahlon
Raj Kahlon of RHM Farms in Merced donated
$5 million to Merced College to support the
institution's agricultural programs and its future
20,000-square-foot agriculture and industrial
technology complex. Kahlon, who grows almonds
and pistachios, will be honored as the President's
Medallion recipient at the State of the College
luncheon, and Chris Vitelli, the superintendent/
president of Merced College, will recommend to
the Merced College Board of Trustees that the
college's new agriculture and industrial technology
building be named after Kahlon. According to
Vitelli, "This is the largest gift in Merced College
history." (Courtesy of Merced College)
