Independent almond growers are currently voting to elect four individuals to the Almond Board of California (ABC) board of directors.

Ballots must be returned to the ABC by Feb. 11. Those elected will serve as ABC directors for terms beginning this March 1.

Growers will select two independent grower member and alternate positions, and one independent handler member and alternate positions.

Candidates for the independent grower positions include:

Position One, Member (one-year term): Dave Phippen, Manteca (incumbent)         

Position One, Alternate: Brad Klump, Escalon (incumbent)

Position Two, Member (three-year term): Brian Wahlbrink, Waterford (petitioner); and Dick Cunningham, Hughson (petitioner)

Position Two, Alternate: Bill Harp, Bakersfield (petitioner)

Candidates for the independent handler positions are:

Position Three, Member (one-year term): Dinesh Bajaj, Orland (petitioner)                                     

Position Three, Alternate: Joel Perkins, Coalinga (petitioner)           

Ballots and instructions were mailed to all independent growers whose names are on file with ABC. If an independent grower did not receive a ballot, contact Sue Olson at (209) 343-3224.

Voting began Jan. 30.

The ABC Board of Directors is a governing body for the almond industry. The board includes five handler and five grower representatives who set policy and recommend budgets for production research, public relations and advertising, nutrition research, statistical reporting, quality control, and food safety.

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