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Dear Friends,

In agriculture, particularly in the tree nut industry, it is easy to dwell on the challenges. Water allocations, market fluctuations, labor shortages, regulations and unpredictable weather can all weigh heavily on growers. These pressures affect not only operations but also families and communities.

Yet there is a resource more powerful than any piece of equipment, one that costs nothing and can transform both business and personal outlook: the choice to focus on positivity, specifically on counting our blessings.

Farming is more than a profession; it is a calling that demands patience, endurance and faith. Growers make decisions with long-term consequences, often thinking in decades rather than quarters. When frustration dominates, energy and clarity fade. But when we choose to lead with positivity, we uncover opportunities even in difficulty. Studies show that a positive outlook strengthens resilience, sharpens decision-making and builds trust. For growers, that translates to stronger relationships with employees, buyers and industry partners.

Tree nut growers know the value of patience better than most. Orchards take years to mature before they produce profitable harvests. That long wait requires optimism. Planting an almond, pistachio or walnut orchard is an act of faith in the future. This belief in tomorrow is already embedded in agriculture’s DNA; it is what sets our industry apart.

Of course, there are challenges outside of our control. We cannot dictate water policy or global market shifts, but we can control perspective. Choosing gratitude becomes an anchor in turbulent times. We sometimes overlook the blessings we already have: California’s unmatched climate and soils that allow us to lead the world in tree nut production, the ever-growing global demand for our crops, the strength of an agricultural community that supports one another and the generational purpose of passing down values like stewardship, resilience and hard work.

Focusing on these blessings not only feels encouraging, but it sharpens strategy. Gratitude reminds us of our why, guiding us through uncertainty. Optimism is also good business. Employees are more motivated when leaders highlight what is possible, buyers trust those who negotiate with confidence and partners invest more readily in growers who see opportunities rather than obstacles.

One of the greatest traps in agriculture is scarcity thinking, or focusing on what we lack. Scarcity drains creativity. Abundance thinking, on the other hand, shifts perspective. We acknowledge the resources and opportunities we do have and build from them. This mindset attracts new opportunities, whether in the market, in partnerships or in family life.

Cultivating positivity is not a seasonal act; it is a daily practice. Simple habits, such as starting the day with gratitude, celebrating small wins, speaking words of thanks, keeping a journal of blessings and teaching the next generation to lead with optimism, help anchor this perspective in our personal and professional lives.

At the end of the day, crops will rise and fall, and policies will continue to shift. But what endures is the spirit of the grower. If we cultivate positivity and gratitude, we make farming not only more enjoyable but also more sustainable. The legacy we leave is not simply measured in acres, but in the mindset and culture we pass on.

As an industry, we have every reason to be hopeful. California tree nuts remain a global standard of excellence. The challenges are real, but so are the blessings. By choosing to recognize them, speak them and build on them, we create a stronger future for ourselves and for generations to come.

Stay positive, stay grateful, and keep farming forward.

Sincerely,
Jason