By Amanda Russell, Almond Alliance of California

The Almond Alliance is pleased to announce and welcome Sara Arsenault as its new Vice President. In her new position, Arsenault will oversee state and federal advocacy, including the upcoming Farm Bill, promoting the Almond industry and community’s policy priorities to keep our farmers farming, promote food and consumer safety and international trade, as well as assist in political action, membership services, and association development.

“We’re excited to welcome Sara aboard,” said Aubrey Bettencourt, President and CEO of the Almond Alliance. “Her California roots and nationwide experience are a perfect fit for the Almond community, and her focused, enthusiastic, and committed approach is a perfect fit for the Alliance. Sara will be an excellent addition to the team as the Alliance continues to expand and lead as the voice for almonds in Sacramento, Washington D.C., and beyond.”

Before joining the Almond Alliance, Arsenault led the federal policy division for the California Farm Bureau (CAFB), where she managed the federal policy team and developed the organization’s federal legislative and regulatory strategies.

Before her time at CAFB, Sara spent nearly five years in Washington, D.C., most recently working for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), where she represented the Commissioners, Directors, and Secretaries of Agriculture from all 50 states and four U.S. territories at the federal level. Previously, she spent time working on Capitol Hill and in the private sector, where she led client implementations for a property management software company, Yardi, Inc., on their e-commerce platform.

Sara is a native of Northern California and began her academic career at Modesto Junior College. She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and meat science and technology at Texas A&M University.