Benefits of Membership
There are two types of membership opportunities available through AHPA. There are regular members who hull, shell, and/or process almonds and associate members who provide products and services to our regular members. AHPA regular membership represents over 90% of the total California Almond industry based on tonnage. AHPA facilitates a business network unlike any other in the Almond Industry; regular members have ready access to vendors providing services they are in need of and associate members have the opportunity to market directly to their target audience.
Industry Advocacy
AHPA provides monitoring of legislative activities and advocates on behalf of the California Almond industry for issues affecting the ability of our members to operate in an effective and efficient manner. Recently, the AHPA and its members played an integral role in getting yard trucks used at almond hulling and shelling facilities included under the Ag provisions of the California Air Resource Board Truck Rule. Under the Ag Provisions yard trucks will not need diesel particulate filters installed which will be a significant cost savings for our members. Additionally, yard trucks will have at least until 2017 to be replaced and those that are driven less than 10,000 miles per year will have until 2023.
The AHPA maintains working relationships with various regulatory agencies including the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of Pesticide Regulation, California Air Resources Board, California Department of Public Health and various other governmental agencies. Additionally, AHPA has strong standing relationships with various industry groups including the Agricultural Council of California and the Agricultural Energy Consumers Association. Relationships with these key agencies and organizations ensure that our members are represented in a fair and accurate way. In general, AHPA strives to protect and defend the rights of the almond hulling/shelling and processing industry in all matters of government.
Annual Meeting
AHPA’s annual meeting and trade show is the industry’s best opportunity for direct and targeted networking. The three day extravaganza includes a tradeshow where associate members are able to market their latest products and services to industry members. Informational seminars provide updates, tools and resources for current issues facing our industry and the Annual AHPA business meeting. There are also a number of social activities including dinner banquets, a golf tournament and tennis tour. This is the event where business happens!
Newsletters
The AHPA newsletter, Huller, is sent to AHPA members and potential members every other month (six times per year). The Huller provides industry members with the latest information and resources on industry issues and affairs as well as association updates. For our Associate Members the Huller provides the opportunity to advertise to their direct target audience unlike any other almond industry publication.
Insurance
As a Regular member you are entitled to take advantage of many unique insurance products and coverage, exclusively available to AHPA members. Der Manouel Insurance Group (DMIG), the Association’s endorsed insurance broker, has developed customized policy forms which address the unique needs of the hulling, shelling, and processing industry. Many of these products are not available anywhere else in the industry! As a member, you can obtain coverage for all or any of the following: Buildings and Equipment, Liability (including Product Liability), Stock, Field Stockpiles, Transportation, Mobile Equipment, Business Interruption, Automobile, Equipment Breakdown, Farm, Crop, Worker’s Compensation, Product Recall, Ocean Cargo, Group Health, Dental and Life Insurance. We’re proud to say most members have more than made up their annual membership fee by savings they experience through our AHPA insurance program.
Nuts & Bolts Seminar
The Nuts & Bolts Seminar is a pre-season educational seminar. Topics generally cover worker safety and food safety; including forklift training, man lift training, GMP training, pest management and much more. Quality panels of industry experts come together to provide information and tools needed to keep your company employees up to date. Depending on the topic, hands on opportunities for members and their personnel are available as well as Continuing Education Units for pesticide applicators.
Public Relations
Public relations plays an important role in managing and protecting the California almond hulling/shelling and processing industry. Our members constantly strive to improve their processes and practices to ensure that they are operating in an effective and socially responsible manner. In an effort to ensure that these activities and the commitment of our industry to provide quality almond products and almond by-products is accurately portrayed AHPA maintains relationships with the media, industry alliances and affiliates, and our own membership.