Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Almonds

  • Future Industry Leaders Begin Yearlong Almond Experience: Almond Leadership Program Welcomes its 11th Class

    The Almond Board of California (ABC) today announced its 2019 Almond Leadership Program class. These 19 promising leaders represent diverse backgrounds across multiple industries, from almond growers, processors and food safety specialists to marketing experts, sales representatives and even a dentist who has a passion for farming.
    Almond Leadership Program participants will spend the next year growing in their roles as the future generation of California almond industry leaders. They will learn from volunteer mentors who will help equip program participants with the knowledge and experience necessary to improve their leadership skills, the industry and their communities.
    The class will complete specialized training in a wide variety of topic areas, many of which are tied to ABC activities in marketing, trade stewardship, scientific research, food safety and more.
    As a kickoff to the program, Leadership class members participated in a two-day orientation, which included a State of the Industry address from ABC President and CEO Richard Waycott and Chair of the Board of Directors Holly King. Waycott and King highlighted the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals and the almond community’s commitment to continuous improvement, which are cornerstones of this year’s Almond Leadership Program.
    As they progress through the program, Leadership members will gain a stronger understanding of how the social, economic and scientific issues facing our world today — combined with the current political climate — affect the almond industry. They’ll also learn how all sectors in the almond supply chain work together to provide a safe, sustainable product. Through monthly seminars that span topics reaching all aspects of the industry, Leadership members will sharpen their communication skills while building relationships that will span their careers.
    Each participant will also select an area of interest to explore as part of a yearlong self-directed project. These projects will all focus on ways to help advance industry knowledge, andsome past projects even led to important breakthroughs for the industry.At the end of the year, one participant will be selected to present their project at The Almond Conference 2019, held this year at Cal Expo in Sacramento.
    “This program helps mold great people into even greater leaders — the leaders we will one day look toward to shape the future of the almond industry,” said Jenny Nicolau, senior manager, Industry Relations and Communications, ABC. “Each graduate from the Almond Leadership Program has gone on to be a leader of change in the industry or their community in some capacity, and this group will be no different. They are bright and talented, and obviously problem-solvers, and we are honored to be partners on this yearlong journey.”
    Over the past ten years, the Almond Leadership Program has graduated more than 150 participants and supported many key initiatives benefiting the industry. This year’s class will continue the tradition of raising funds for California Future Farmers of America (FFA) and has pledged to raise more than $20,000 in scholarships for high school students interested in pursuing agriculture in college.
    Members of this year’s class include: Maria Gabriela Chavarria, Harris Woolf California Almonds; Louis Brichetto, L.F. Brichetto Farming; Dominique Camou, Famoso Nut Company; Rocky Dhaliwal, Valley Pride Farming; Brian Erickson, Erickson Orchards; Haley Fields, Ali Cox & Company Marketing; Purnima Gupta, K&G Ranches; Joseph Jackson, Hillside Orchards; Falastine “Fill” Munoz, Grizzly Nut, LLC; April Nuckles, HarvestPort; Kristina Qualls, South Valley Almond Company, LLC; Brett Richesin, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.; Dylan Rogers, AgroLiquid; Lucas Schmidt, Grow West; Victor Thao, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Jerrett Thomason, Wells Fargo Food and Agribusiness; Chris VanderStoel, VanderStoel Farm; Connor Wagner, Wagner Land Company; and Chandler Wilson, NutriAg Group Ltd.

  • How Retaliatory Tariffs are Impacting the Almond Industry

    There has been a lot of talk and concern about the retaliatory tariffs impacting the California almond industry, and as almond production continues increasing, just how is this all going to impact the market? Watch this brief interview with Julie Adams from the Almond Board of California as she responds to these concerns, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Almond Pollination and Hive Removal Timing

    Almond pollination is underway in California and growers are hoping for another good crop this year.  How can you monitor the progress of your bees during almond pollination and determine when it is time to remove the hives?  Watch this brief interview with Billy Synk from Project Apis m. for some answers, and read more about it in the March issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • California Almond Industry Sets Sights High with 2025 Goals

    The Almond Board of California recently unveiled their vision of industry in 2025 and set some ambitious goals on how to get there.  These goals were not just made for the sake of pleasing the consumer and community, but also for the longterm success and viability of the industry moving forward.  Watch this brief interview as Daren Williams from the Almond Board of California explains, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.  Don’t currently receive the magazine?

  • Enhancing Almond Pollination with Cover Crops

    How do you maximize the efficacy of your investment in bees for a successful almond pollination period?  According to Billy Synk, director of Pollination Services with project Apis m., the answer is planting cover crops in the fall that will flower prior to almond bloom to get the bees active early in preparation for a successful pollination period.Watch this brief interview as Synk explains, and read more about it in the February issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!

  • USDA to Support California Almond Industry

    Growers have until the end of day Feb. 14th to sign up for the USDA market facilitation program created in response to the retaliatory tariffs.  USDA is also supporting the California almond industry in other ways. Watch this brief interview with Julie Adams from the Almond Board of California for more information.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!

  • Josette Lewis Joins Almond Board of CA as Director of Ag Affairs

    In her role, Lewis will leverage more than 20 years of government, academic, nonprofit and corporate experience in agriculture research and policy.

    The Almond Board of California (ABC) welcomes Josette Lewis, PhD, to the organization as new director of Agricultural Affairs. In her position, Lewis will focus on the development, funding and strategy of ABC’s research program. Lewis most recently served as associate vice president of Sustainable Agriculture at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

    Lewis holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her career in agricultural research and policy spans the government, academic, nonprofit and tech-based corporate sectors. Prior to EDF, she was associate director of the World Food Center at the University of California, Davis. Lewis began her career at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). She currently serves on advisory committees for the James Beard Foundation and the International Life Sciences Institute, and has served on an advisory committee for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

    “My colleagues and I are thrilled to welcome Josette Lewis to the ABC team. She not only complements our existing skill sets and experience — she adds many new and valuable dimensions,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO, ABC. “Her acumen and expertise will serve the California almond industry very well as we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie before us.”

    Research is an important area of focus for the Almond Board as it fuels key initiatives like the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals, which set industry-wide targets in the areas of water efficiency, zero waste, environmentally friendly pest management and air quality. In her new role, Lewis will oversee ABC’s multi-million dollar annual investment in research projects exploring next-generation farming practices including optimal use of everything almond orchards grow.

    “My career has centered on the interface of research and action — interpreting research findings to create solutions that people can use,” Lewis said. “Building on the strong legacy of Bob Curtis, I look forward to advancing almond research that ultimately puts knowledge, tools and practices in the hands of growers, processors, policy makers and other important audiences. I am fascinated by almond production and excited to join the dynamic group at ABC.”

    Robert Curtis retired in 2018 after spending more than 45 years directing agricultural affairs at ABC. Since 1973, almond farmers and processors have invested $80 million in research through the Almond Board to improve understanding of almonds’ impact on human health, ensure food quality and safety, and improve farming practices while minimizing environmental impacts.

  • Blue Diamond Invests in Expansion of Turlock Manufacturing Plant

    Blue Diamond Growers, a nonprofit grower-owned cooperative and the world’s leading processor and marketer of almonds, begins expansion of its award-winning processing facility in Turlock, CA. Today a groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the 200,000 square foot manufacturing plant recognized as the 2014 Plant of the Year by Food Engineering Magazine. The new addition is part of Blue Diamond’s continued plans to expand value-added product lines and deliver the innovations of new almond products worldwide.

    The 52,000 square foot building will be the latest construction of the three-phased project that will eventually yield a total of about 500,000 square feet of building space over the next nine years. This phase of the project is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2020 and will accommodate growth of the cooperative’s business. The expansion consists of new automated processing and packaging equipment that promote Blue Diamond’s commitment to manufacturing excellence.

    “We are pleased to build our partnership with the Turlock community by investing to expand our facilities and workforce,” said Mark Jansen, Blue Diamond President and CEO. “We are creating the healthiest almond products and delivering the benefits of almonds to the world. This project allows Blue Diamond to meet the growing demand for our innovative almond products.”

    Blue Diamond Chairman of the Board Dan Cummings of Chico added, “We are thankful to our growers who own this cooperative for entrusting their almonds to us so we can continue to make valuable investments. This project gives them a secure future in the almond business.”

    Blue Diamond first announced its plans to build a manufacturing plant in the City of Turlock in April 2012 creating more than a hundred jobs.

    “On behalf of the Turlock community, we are tremendously excited about the expansion of Blue Diamond Growers state of the art processing facilities here in Turlock,” said Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak. “We know Blue Diamond has other company locations where they could have placed this expansion, but we are proud they chose Turlock. We look forward to the additional jobs this expansion will bring.”

  • Almond Industry Receives $6,900,690 in USDA Funding

    USDA Awards Agricultural Trade Promotion Program Funding

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $200 million to 57 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) to help U.S. farmers and ranchers identify and access new export markets. The ATP is one of three USDA programs created to mitigate the effects of unjustified trade retaliation against U.S. farmers and exporters. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) accepted ATP applications between September 4 and November 2 – totaling nearly $600 million – from U.S. trade associations, cooperatives, and other industry-affiliated organizations. The Almond Board of California will receive $3,185,690 and Blue Diamond will receive $3,715,000.

    President Donald J. Trump authorized up to $12 billion in programs to provide assistance to U.S. agriculture through a trade mitigation package announced by Secretary Perdue on September 4, 2018. In addition to the $200 million allocated to the ATP, the package also included the Market Facilitation Program to provide payments to farmers harmed by retaliatory tariffs, and a food purchase and distribution program to assist producers of targeted commodities.

    “At USDA, we are always looking to expand existing markets or open new ones, so we are proud to make good on the third leg of the President’s promise to America’s farmers,” said Secretary Perdue. “This infusion will help us develop other markets and move us away from being dependent on one large customer for our agricultural products. This is seed money, leveraged by hundreds of millions of dollars from the private sector, that will help to increase our agricultural exports.”

    All sectors of U.S. agriculture, including fish and forest product producers, were eligible to apply for cost-share assistance under the ATP. FAS evaluated applications according to criteria that included the potential for export growth in the target market, direct injury from the imposed retaliatory tariffs, and the likelihood that the proposed project or activity will have a near-term impact on agricultural exports.

    “We were pleased to see the large demand for participation in the program, and truly got some out-of-the-box ideas that we are hopeful will expand our global footprint,” Perdue said. “We examined all applications carefully, considered our ranking criteria, and awarded the funds in order to make the best use of taxpayer dollars in growing agricultural trade.”

    The Almond Alliance of California plans to continue to advocate for the $63.3 M in retaliatory trade damages assigned to the almond industry by USDA.  We will keep you updated on our advocacy efforts and how you can be supportive.

  • Using the Sun & Agricultural Waste to Control Pests

    Biosolarization Shows Promise for Conventional & Organic Farmers

    By Diane Nelson

    Farmers spend a lot of time and money controlling weeds and other pests, and often have to turn to chemical fumigants to keep the most destructive pests at bay. Farmers also wrestle with what to do with low-value byproducts of crop production, such as skin, seeds and hulls from fruit, vegetable and nut processing.

    What if those agricultural waste streams could generate alternatives to chemical fumigants and make farming more productive, profitable and environmentally friendly?

    Maybe they can. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, are encouraged by early results from collaborative experiments with “biosolarization,” a process that combines the sun’s heat with soil amendments to manage weeds and other soil-borne pests.

    “It looks promising,” said food science and technology professor Christopher Simmons, who is testing biosolarization with various crops and working with farmers throughout the state. “We still have a lot of work to do, but biosolarization is showing real potential as a safe, sustainable way to control pests while improving crop quality and yield.”

    Strengthening solar power   

    Many backyard gardeners know the power of solarization. When you lay a clear plastic tarp over moist soil, you can trap solar radiation and heat the soil enough to kill weeds and other soil-borne pests. It’s effective, but can take four to six weeks, which is often too long for commercial fields to lay fallow.

    Biosolarization can accelerate and improve the process. Simmons and his team are adding organic amendments such as grape and tomato skins or ground nut hulls to the soil before they tarp it, which promotes growth of beneficial bacteria. The helpful microorganisms compete with pests and temporarily make the soil more acidic and therefore less hospitable to weeds and other pests.

    Together, the soil-heating and microbial activity can reduce the treatment time to days, not weeks.

    “And by activating beneficial microbes in the soil, biosolarization has the potential to improve soil health over the long term,” Simmons explained.

    Testing under commercial conditions

    Chemical fumigants are expensive, and many have been identified as carcinogenic by state and federal regulatory agencies. But when it comes to killing soil-borne pests, they are very effective.

    “Fumigants are broadly biocidal, meaning they affect beneficial microorganisms along with the pests,” Simmons said. “Biosolarization allows more innocuous and beneficial microorganisms to persist in the soil.”

    But for farmers to adopt biosolarization as an alternative to chemical fumigants, the treatment must be effective, predictable and economical. So the team is testing biosolarization with a wide variety of crops, amendments and soils against different pests in various locations at commercial scale throughout the state.

    “We have field trials underway with lettuce, tomatoes, melons and various cover crops,” Simmons said. “And we have a long-term, 10-acre trial with almonds at a conventional orchard in Chico.”

    In Chico, Simmons and his team are collaborating with almond grower Rory Crowley at Nicolaus Nut Company with funding support from the Almond Board of California and the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety. They are one year into a 25-year experiment to see if almond-processing residues and the sun can boost soil health and reduce weeds and other soil-borne pests. So far, Crowley is impressed.

    “It’s been great for the soil,” Crowley said. “Using biosolarization and a mustard cover crop, we’ve increased organic matter by 1.25 to 1.75 percent, which is a huge jump. That’s good for carbon sequestration and the overall health of the soil.”

    It’s too soon to tell if the soil improvements will translate to greater crop yield, but Crowley thinks biosolarization could become a good pest-management tool and a valuable use for what would otherwise be agricultural waste.

    “We need to find a home for the co-products of almond processing, so why not see if we can use them to improve soil health while controlling pests?” Crowley asks.

    Field tests continue

    Simmons and his team are testing biosolarization on several annual and cover crops in plots on the UC Davis campus using agricultural waste streams from tomato and wine processing. Soon they will begin tests with strawberries, which are commonly treated with fumigants each season as farmers plant berries anew.

    Simmons’ hope is to demonstrate to farmers that biosolarization can be effective and economical under a wide range of conditions against a broad number of pests.

    “We’re making significant ground,” he said. “We’re hopeful biosolarization can help farmers return food and agricultural waste back into the system to control pests and improve crop production.”