Scaling Resilience through Whole-System Innovation

​Transitioning to a resilient food system requires a fundamental shift in managing agricultural landscapes, particularly as we look to do so within planetary boundaries.

This session explores how California’s almond farmers use whole-system thinking to scale regenerative and climate-smart practices. We’ll examine perennial orchards as biological anchors for soil health, water stewardship and carbon sequestration. Beyond harvest, we’ll highlight circularity and co-product innovation, moving toward a zero-waste, upcycled future. We’ll touch on using data-driven insights to help ensure on-the-ground feasibility and de-risk farm transitions.

​Join us and panelists from Simple Mills and Upcycled Foods, Inc. to see how evidence-based, community-led action provides a scalable blueprint for shaping climate-smart agriculture and ensuring long-term supply chain resilience.

​Danielle Veenstra, Third-Generation Almond Farmer, Veenstra Farms and Senior Manager, Global Stewardship & Impact, Almond Board of California

​Olivia Whitener, Senior Associate, Sustainability & Mission, Simple Mills

​Daniel Kurzrock, Co-Founder and CEO, Upcycled Foods, Inc.

​Gabrielle Ludwig, Director, Environmental Policy, Almond Board of California