BOLD Class 4 Graduation Brings BOLD Graduate Count to 50!

Congratulations to the 14 members of BOLD Class 4 who completed their BOLD experience in Oxnard, California, on March 11th and 12th, with a celebratory dinner the evening of the eleventh and a graduation ceremony on the 12th. This group, like all of the BOLD Classes before them, presented their special project work to the group and offered valuable insights into the industry’s burgeoning interest and complex job of tackling and communicating our Sustainability story.

This group’s presentations showed that the industry is making some commendable strides in its sustainability efforts, and the Class was impressed by some of the insightful work that is being done at companies large and small in the face of questioning from industry outsiders. It was apparent from the presentations that many in the avocado space are looking at ways to measure, improve, and communicate what we are doing in our production areas to be transparent with our supply chain.

After the special projects were completed, it was time for the official presentation of the BOLD Certificates. After the graduation ceremony was complete – it was now official – the program had reached the half-century mark, with FIFTY BOLD Graduates having progressed through the program in the first four years of operation.

Then, it was time for some field learning over at Brokaw’s Nursery in Ventura, CA. After a quick lunch and group discussion at the Nursery, despite the slight rain and drizzle, we ventured out and made our way up the hill to visit Brokaw Ranch and learned about some high-density avocado planting happening in their groves. Matias Purcell gave a detailed explanation about how high-density planting needs much more aggressive and high-level care than traditional planting, but the results are paying off handsomely for the effort. We then made our way back to the nursery, and the class got the thrill of listening to the story of how grafting had changed the industry, from the man himself, Rob Brokaw, whose father, before him, had done extensive work in making the grafting of avocados into an art form. This, in turn, created the tools that were necessary to have the Mother Hass tree in La Habra, CA, turned into a production powerhouse of Hass avocado trees all over the world.

It was a day filled with fun, learning, and laughter, networking with new friends and colleagues, who will now enjoy a special bond as the BOLD Class 4 team of future industry leaders – well done, one and all!

Also, a BIG thank you to all of the avocado associations & commissions for their continued support of the BOLD program – because of you, this program is helping the entire industry’s future success.