Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Non-Video

  • Almond Alliance of CA Names Aubrey Bettencourt President/CEO

    Almond Alliance of CA Names Aubrey Bettencourt President/CEO

    The Almond Alliance of California (AAC) has named Aubrey Bettencourt as its new President and CEO.  She currently serves as Director for Sustainability for the California Cattle Council and Western United Dairies and has extensive experience dealing with a wide range of California agricultural and natural resource issues. Bettencourt succeeds Elaine Trevino, who has been nominated by President Biden to be the Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative. Trevino is awaiting a confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.

    Almond Alliance Chairman Mike Curry said Bettencourt’s selection came after an extensive and thorough executive search. Curry commented, “We are extremely excited to have Aubrey Bettencourt as the Almond Alliance’s new President and CEO. Aubrey comes to us with a wealth of diverse knowledge and innovative advocacy work on behalf of farmers and ranchers. As the California State Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency, she fought to keep ‘farmers farming’ through the delivery of effective and efficient agricultural programs. Serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Water and Science Division of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bettencourt developed and coordinated national water and science policy, expanding her extensive knowledge of state and national water issues and available resources, making her a unique asset to our membership and community.”

    Curry added, “Aubrey’s work as the director of the statewide non-profit, California Water Alliance, has given her the tools necessary to advocate for our members as the water crisis in California becomes even more complicated. As the Director of Sustainability for the California Cattle Council and Western United Dairies, Bettencourt has focused on water supply and water quality, forest health and fire prevention, carbon sequestration, climate resiliency and ground water sustainability. Raised in a farming family, Aubrey has firsthand knowledge of what it takes for a family farm to survive in California and beyond.”

    “I am excited to join the Almond Alliance, a dynamic leader in American agriculture,” Bettencourt said. “As a fourth generation California farmer, it is a personal honor to serve. I look forward to working with this team to keep farmers and processors providing economic opportunity to our rural communities, bringing worldwide the highest quality product from our farms to your table.”

    Bettencourt noted, “The California almond farmer is the most sophisticated in the world; leading in technique, technology, sustainability, safety, and quality. We take pride in this role and great responsibility in this legacy. The challenges we face as an industry including water, labor, energy, supply chain, and climate change, are opportunities for our continued leadership and advocacy. Rather than reacting, we will lead with our own achievable, common-sense solutions to these challenges for the continued success of our farmers, our communities, our businesses, our environment, and our consumers.”

    Curry noted that in her three years at the helm, Trevino led the almond industry through some very challenging times and wished her the best in her new position. “I am so incredibly excited for Elaine and her nomination by the President to be the next Chief Agricultural Negotiator at USTR,” Curry commented. “As the President and CEO of the Almond Alliance, Elaine has led our industry through very difficult times. From trade wars, labor issues, struggles during the pandemic, to port issues, Elaine has been a fierce leader fighting the good fight. In every step of the way she has done the good work for California. Yet Elaine has always kept the communities of our members at top of mind, knowing the economic impact the almond industry has on so many California communities. Elaine has been a true advocate for the good of all. Elaine is the type of leader with the focus to leave things better then she found them.”

    Looking ahead to her new role, Curry said, “There is no doubt in my mind that as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Elaine will continue to be the person who adopts real solutions to real problems. The United States agricultural community has gained a true problem solver in Elaine Trevino.

    Elaine thanked Almond Alliance members and partners for their support over the past three years. “It has been an honor to work for the Almond Alliance,” she said. “Together we took the Alliance to new heights and strengthened the voice of almonds in Sacramento and Washington DC. Thank you for the opportunity you have given me to lead one of the best agricultural associations in the country. I look forward to staying in touch and learning about the Almond Alliance’s future successes.”

    Bettencourt will assume her new role on December 1, 2021 and will work out of the Alliance’s Modesto office.

    About the Almond Alliance

    The Almond Alliance of California (AAC) is a trusted non-profit organization dedicated to representing and advocating on behalf of the California almond community. California almonds generate more than $21 billion in economic revenue and directly contribute more than $11 billion to the state’s total economy. California’s top agricultural export, almonds create approximately 104,000 jobs statewide, over 97,000 in the Central Valley, which suffers from chronic unemployment. The AAC is dedicated to educating state legislators, policy makers and regulatory officials about the California almond community. As a membership-based organization, our members include almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers and allied businesses. Through workshops, newsletters, conferences, social media and personal meetings, AAC works to raise awareness, knowledge and provide a better understanding about the scope, size, value and sustainability of the California almond community.

    For more information on the Almond Alliance, visit https://almondalliance.org/ or check out the Almond Alliance on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

  • Preparing Your Orchards for 2022 in the Face of Drought

    Preparing Your Orchards for 2022 in the Face of Drought

    Plan for the worst, hope for the best. That’s a tough, solid, strategy as the 2021 season winds down and almond growers and PCAs look to 2022. The following are some considerations when following this strategy. Every operation is different, and growers must decide what works best for their business. Final decisions may not need to be made until early 2022, but planning ahead, given the stakes, is recommended.

    The core issue is water, with both availability and quality of concern depending on local conditions.

    The region and state start the water year (Oct-Sept) way behind on water. As of the middle of September, major reservoirs (Shasta and Oroville) serving the region and state are at 22-25% capacity, less than half of the normal storage for this time of year. The current forecast for the rest of 2021 is for equal chances for normal precipitation in the Sacramento Valley with a 70-80% chance of La Niña winter. 2020-21 was a La Niña winter. These are all predictions, not certainties, but the current precipitation outlook for the winter ‘21-‘22 is not great.

    If the drought continues, more groundwater will be pumped to keep trees alive and, if enough water is available, productive. Using moderate to low quality water (see table) can risk decreasing yield from increasing rootzone salinity and/or toxic levels of the elements chloride, boron or sodium. For most of the Sacramento Valley, groundwater quality is good to very good. However, for parts of the Colusa and Sutter groundwater basins, water quality is not so good. Irrigation water quality levels are important to planning for next year, especially if similar quality groundwater was used in 2021.

    Thresholds for 3 important irrigation water quality components based on risk to almond growth or yield reduction.

    *For a more extensive information on water quality for almond irrigation see:

    https://www.sacvalleyorchards.com/almonds/irrigation/lower-quality-water/ 

    With a worst case scenario of low/no surface water deliveries and falling well water levels, here are some thoughts to consider in planning for 2022.

    Rank orchards by potential value (net return to grower) in 2022 and future years. Possible considerations and rankings for use in farming decisions are suggested in the following table. These groupings are just examples based on UC research and the author’s experience. Orchard rankings and farming decisions should be based on local conditions and grower experience with input from PCA/CCA and nut handler.

    Orchard conditions possibly influencing net grower returns (NGR) in a drought year.

    Fall to prebloom practices can influence production potential for 2022 and could be adjusted on a per orchard basis. For example, higher cost items such as winter irrigation/salt management, potassium fertilization, preemergent herbicide and dormant sprays could be prioritized to the orchards with higher net return potential. [Orchard sanitation is also a big cost, but lack of sanitation in one orchard can mean that increased NOW, there, can spread harm and reduced net return in adjacent orchards.] Lower yielding orchards could receive less inputs this fall and/or spring, further limiting potential net income next year, depending on what is cut out or limited. Limiting inputs to orchards considered for removal could be further savings to growers.

    Hopefully, adequate rain and snow will mean that these hard choices to remove or limit orchard yield will not need to be made. In the meantime, planning ahead will make springtime decision making simpler if the weather stays dry. — By Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Farm Advisor, Colusa and Sutter/Yuba Counties

  • Pacific Nut Producer November Issue

    Pacific Nut Producer November Issue

    PNP1121
    Pacific Nut Producer November Issue

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    Contents of the November Issue:

    Almond, Walnut Farmer Draws the Line
    Fiorini Family Seek Easement to Protect Farming History
    Oregon Hazelnut Growers Anticipate 62,000+ Ton Crop
    Bargaining Association Announces Minimum Price
    EXPOS are BACK and IN PERSON
    Expos in Turlock and Fresno
    November Orchard Tasks
    Almonds, Hazelnuts, Pecans, Pistachios, Walnuts

    [/three_fifth_last]

  • New AI Institute Expands UC Merced’s Smart, Sustainable Ag Effort

    New AI Institute Expands UC Merced’s Smart, Sustainable Ag Effort

    With a new $20 million federal grant, UC Merced becomes part of a multi-institutional research collaborative to develop artificial intelligence — or AI — solutions to tackle some of agriculture’s biggest challenges related to water management, climate change and integration of new technology into farming.

    The new institute is one of 11 launched this year by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and among two funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The newly announced AgAID Institute is shorthand for the collaborative USDA-NIFA Institute for Agricultural AI for Transforming Workforce and Decision Support.

    The AgAID Institute features four core institutions: UC Merced; Washington State University (WSU), the lead campus; Oregon State University; and the University of Virginia. The AgAID Institute bolsters UC Merced’s already strong focus on ag-tech solutions for sustainable food systems in California and beyond.

    “This is only the second round of AI centers the NSF has funded, so we’re really honored to be contributing to this important and cutting-edge research effort,” environmental engineering Professor Joshua Viers said. Viers is the lead principal investigator from UC Merced and the campus director of the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute, which has been advancing ag-tech solutions for the San Joaquin Valley broadly. “We’ll be working to leverage computational knowledge to arrive at actionable decisions for farmers and water managers, and we’ll be the application test beds for much of what is developed at the other core institutions.”

    Much of that testing will be done at UC Merced’s new experimental smart farm, a 40-acre site adjacent to campus that is in the planning stages.

    While traditional AI development involves scientists making tools and delivering them to end-users, the AgAID Institute will involve the people who will use the AI solutions — from farmers and workers to policy makers — in their development. This “adopt-adapt-amplify” approach ensures solutions are practical and more likely to be adopted. The researchers will also work to create solutions that can adapt to changing environments and that amplify productivity by combining human skills and machine capabilities to be more effective than either would be alone.

    “People are very much part of the agricultural ecosystem. It’s not just plants growing. Humans manipulate crops on a daily basis and make complex decisions, such as how to allocate water or mitigate the effects of an incoming storm,” said Ananth Kalyanaraman, a WSU computer science professor and AgAID Institute director. “We aim to partner human knowledge with AI tools in a way that amplifies the end outcomes where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

    The AgAID Institute will be a multi-disciplinary, collaborative effort involving faculty and scientists with expertise in a diverse range of areas in computer science, agriculture and agricultural outreach. In addition to the four core institutions, the collaborative includes Carnegie Mellon University and Kansas State University, and in an effort to train the next generation of educators and farm managers, UC Merced will work closely with other minority-serving institutions such as Heritage University and Wenatchee Valley College. Private sector partners include IBM Research and the start-up innov8.ag.

    At UC Merced, School of Engineering professors Reza Ehsani, Jian-Qiao Sun, John Abatzoglou and Josué Medellín-Azuara will all be co-investigators and part of the Institute, as will social scientist Leigh Bernacchi, Ph.D., the CITRIS program director.

    With this grant, NSF has made a $220 million investment in AI-based collaborations, building on the first round of seven AI Institutes funded in 2020.

    The goal is to develop AI-based technologies that bring about a range of advances: helping older adults lead more independent lives and improving the quality of their care; transforming AI into a more accessible “plug-and-play” technology; creating solutions to improve agriculture and food supply chains; enhancing adult online learning; and supporting underrepresented students from elementary to post-doctoral STEM education to improve equity and representation in AI research.

    Led by NSF and in partnership with USDA-NIFA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Google, Amazon, Intel and Accenture, the AI Institutes will act as connections in a nationwide network pursuing transformational advances in a range of economic sectors, and science and engineering fields — from food-system security to next-generation edge networks.

    “AI is an enabling technology that can help us develop the next generation of intelligent farm equipment and implements. These machines could potentially be more efficient, easier to operate and could reduce production costs,” Ehsani said.

    For instance, pruning trees is a highly skilled task, but a beginner-level worker could benefit from an AI tool that provides expert guidance to help decide which are the best branches to prune. The task is done better, and the worker starts to learn from the feedback. With a shortage of skilled labor, AI can benefit both the orchard and the worker, bridging a divide between high-skilled and low-skilled workers.

    Educating the workforce at all levels is central to the AgAID Institute not just to encourage AI adoption but as a matter of equity, Institute leaders said. The Institute plans multiple education programs from K-12 through higher education and worker training. The goal is to raise AI skill levels and open new career paths, which can improve pay and quality of life for agricultural workers. It can also attract more people to agriculture and computing professions.

    The AgAID Institute will undertake several challenging test cases involving specialty crops, many of which grow in the western United States, such as almonds, pistachios, apples, cherries and hops. These crops encompass several major challenges: They require intensive labor and irrigation. They are also vulnerable to weather events and climate change. Specialty crops account for 87% of the U.S. agricultural workforce, and about 40% of these crops are perennial, requiring long-term management and resource planning.

    A machine developed in Professor Reza Ehsani’s lab improves almond harvests by reducing the amount of dust stirred up as the nuts are gathered from the ground.

    “AgAID seeks to apply advances in computational technology to the long-standing wicked challenge of agricultural lands in the semi-arid West that are constrained by climate, land and people,” Abatzoglou said. “This support will help develop tech-based solutions for ameliorating the cascading impacts of water scarcity in agricultural systems we’ve experienced recently and will continue to face.”

    Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D., who champions UC Merced’s leadership in sustainability and its strong integration into the future of the San Joaquin Valley and its communities, addressed the importance of the AgAID Institute for students and the Valley.

    “This artificial intelligence institute for transforming workforce and decision support in agriculture speaks to our increasing national and global recognition for cutting-edge research,” Muñoz said. “Sustaining the future of agriculture — the primary economic activity in our region — is paramount. Not only are we building the future in the heart of California, but we are doing it in a way that speaks to our commitment to innovation in research and education that uplifts our region and results in a new generation of leaders for the Valley.” — By Lorena Anderson, UC Merced

  • Scientists Bring in Arch Enemy to Deal With Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

    Scientists Bring in Arch Enemy to Deal With Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

    A tiny wasp may be the solution for managing an agricultural pest causing major economic damage to fruit, vegetable, and field crops in North America and Europe.

    A female samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus) emerges from a brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) egg. (Photo by Elijah Talamas)

    Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are currently studying Trissolcus japonicus, commonly known as the samurai wasp, to see if this parasitoid wasp is the right biological control agent for reducing brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) (BMSB) populations outside of Asia.

    Biological control is the process of reducing or mitigating pests or pathogens by using the pest’s or pathogen’s natural enemies. The samurai wasp is a known natural enemy for the BMSB in Asia, and researchers are understanding how it behaves in non-native environments.

    At the ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit in Newark, DE, researchers are observing the behaviors of both quarantined samurai wasps from Beijing and local wild populations. They found these wasps have a strong preference for parasitizing BMSB’s eggs.

    “Parasitic wasps have the amazing ability to detect kairomones [chemical substances emitted by one organism and detected by another organism] that are left on surfaces or in the air of their hosts,” said Dr. Kim Hoelmer, research entomologist and research leader at the Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit.

    “In the field, when a female samurai wasp looks for evidence of her host in the environment, she can detect her host’s kairomones left on a leaf’s surface. The wasp increases her search when she detects the kairomones and that increases her probability of finding the host.”

    The research shows promise in that samurai wasps prefer their natural hosts’ eggs over those of other species.

    This finding does not surprise researchers since it is common for parasitoid wasps to have close relationships with their hosts.

    “The more intimate the relationship is, the better parasitoid wasps are as biocontrol agents,” said Dr. Matt Buffington, research entomologist with the ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory, located in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC.

    The tiny size of the samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus) is apparent from this dime, which has several of the insects sitting on it. (Photo by Ashley Colavecchio)

    Buffington and postdoctoral ARS scientist Elijah Talamas were instrumental in correctly identifying the samurai wasp from other Trissolcus species.

    “Parasitoid wasps play major roles in population regulation [of pests]. With this one species, we can explain how biological control works in our environment,” said Buffington.

    But do samurai wasps exhibit the same behaviors in the wild?

    In addition to laboratory studies, researchers are observing samurai wasps in natural environments, such as orchards and crop fields, where the BMSB is present. These wasps are adventive in North America, meaning they arrived accidentally without any human aid.

    At the ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV, researchers are studying how samurai wasps reduce BMSB populations across a landscape. The research aims to determine if samurai wasps can survive in areas with other agricultural factors such as pesticides.

    According to research entomologist Dr. Tracy Leskey, BMSB populations can disperse and develop in areas outside of orchards and crop fields. The stink bugs constantly reinvade new areas, called wild host habitats, for survival.

    “We hope that samurai wasps can reduce those populations in wild host habitats, so we have less pressure in our agricultural areas,” said Leskey.

    The wasp is tiny; approximately 1.5 mm or the size of a sesame seed.

    Even though the samurai wasp shows promise as a biological control agent, researchers must follow a rigorous process to ensure that the samurai wasp’s impact is limited to its host and is not a threat to animals, humans, and crops.

    ARS researchers are in the process of requesting a permit for quarantined samurai wasps from Beijing to be approved for field release. Currently, wild populations of the samurai wasp are in 14 states. The permit would allow states without wild populations to use the wasp as a biocontrol agent for managing their BMSB populations. In addition, the permit would allow states with existing wild populations to introduce new samurai wasps in their management efforts.

    BMSB has been detected in 47 states and four Canadian provinces. BMSB is responsible for crop damage costing millions of dollars each year. This pest is also causing agricultural damage abroad after its infestation in European countries.

    Researchers from other ARS laboratories are also studying the samurai wasp, including the Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory in Beltsville, MD, Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory in Tifton, GA, Horticultural Crop Research Laboratory in Corvallis, OR, Sino-American Biological Control Laboratory in Beijing, China, and USDA-ARS European Biological Control Laboratory in Montpellier, France. – By Jessica Ryan, USDA ARS Office of Communications

  • Blue Diamond Growers Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards on 10th Anniversary of Program

    Blue Diamond Growers Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards on 10th Anniversary of Program

    Blue Diamond Growers Foundation is pleased to announce its 2021-2022 scholarship recipients. This year, scholarship funding is being awarded to 24 college students who are either dependents of Blue Diamond employees or are members of local communities pursuing agriculture-related fields of study at colleges and universities in California and throughout the country.

    “For agriculture to succeed for years to come, it will require the dedication and hard work of the next generation,” said Dan Cummings, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Blue Diamond Growers. “We are so pleased that the Blue Diamond Growers Foundation regularly supports dependents of our own Blue Diamond employees as well as assists students whose goals are to be a positive influence on the future of agriculture and who want to make a difference in their communities.”

    Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Blue Diamond Growers Foundation was established in 2011 for the purpose of providing scholarships to students who have demonstrated excellent academic performance and are pursuing a four-year college. Since 2011, the Blue Diamond Foundation has awarded nearly
    150 scholarships to help students in our local communities achieve their dreams of a college education.

    This year’s Blue Diamond Growers Foundation scholarship recipients include:

    NAME/HOMETOWN COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY MAJOR
    Ashleigh Sorensen
    Sanger, Calif.    		 Fresno State University Agribusiness
    Ashlyn Wooldridge
    Arbuckle, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Plant and Environment Sciences
    Averie Konefat
    Patterson, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Science
    Cal Muxlow
    Kingsburg, Calif.    		 Fresno State University Agribusiness
    Gabriela Moreno
    Winton, Calif.    		 Merced Community College then Fresno State University Ag Education and Communications
    Gunnar Kale
    Merced, Calif.    		 Morningside University Ag and Food Sciences
    (Minor in Agronomy)
    NAME/HOMETOWN COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY MAJOR
    Jane Saenz
    Shafter, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Systems Management,
    Wine and Viticulture
    Jenna Keller
    Porterville, Calif.    		 Cal Poly or Cornell University Plant Science and International Ag
    Kalifornia Kindelt
    Woodland, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Communications
    Kathryn Williams
    Arbuckle, Calif.    		   Ag Communications
    Lauren McEwen
    Exeter, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Communications
    Lauren Schaap
    Visalia, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Communications
    Laynee Haywood
    Maxwell, Calif.    		 Texas Tech University Agribusiness
    (Concentration in
    International Agribusiness)
    Madalyn Nissen
    Willows, Calif.

     

    		 Oklahoma State University Ag Education and
    Ag Communications
    Matthew Freitas
    Glenn, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Systems Management
    Michaela Mederos
    Tulare, Calif.    		 Fresno State University Agribusiness Management
    M’Lyssa Frago
    Atwater, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Communications
    Natalie Machon
    El Dorado Hills, Calif.    		 University of Colorado, Boulder Psychology
    Rachel Mancebo
    Chowchilla, Calif.    		 Fresno State University Ag Education
    Sarah Williams
    Madera, Calif.    		 Virginia Tech University Agribusiness

     
    Sydney Vieira
    Ripon, Calif.    		 Oklahoma State University Agribusiness
    (Pre-Law Concentration)
    Tanner Cardoza
    Hanford, Calif.    		 McPherson College Business

     
    Taylor Trigueiro
    Caruthers, Calif.    		 Oklahoma State University Ag Education
    William Vannucci
    Woodland, Calif.    		 American River College Horticulture

     

    Additional information about the Blue Diamond Growers Foundation scholarship program is available at
    https://bluediamondgrowers.com/scholarship-program/.

  • National Pollinator Protection Campaign Honors California Almond Industry

    National Pollinator Protection Campaign Honors California Almond Industry

    The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) on Tuesday presented its Business for Bees Sustainability Award – an honor reserved for standout organizations that go above and beyond to support pollinators – to the Almond Board of California (ABC) and the state’s almond farmers.

    “This is about their long-term dedication to supporting all pollinators in their orchards and throughout our ecosystem,” said Kelly Rourke, executive director of Pollinator Partnership, which founded NAPPC 21 years ago. “We’ve worked with them for many years and this is well-deserved recognition of their steadfast commitment to engaging farmers in pollinator conservation on multiple levels. The Almond Board and the entire almond industry have really moved the needle to raise awareness and generate action to protect pollinators.”

    NAPPC has only given out its Business for Bees Sustainability Award once before. It is given in years when there is a business taking extra special steps to protect bees and all pollinators and to advance sustainability and innovation.

    “ABC’s name is on this award, but it really goes to the 7,600 almond farmers in California,” said Josette Lewis, ABC’s chief scientific officer. “Farmers understand how important pollinators are to growing almonds and to all of agriculture and the environment. They want to be part of the solution.

    The reasons for the award, Rourke said, include ABC’s leadership in founding the California Pollinator Coalition, its work promoting on-farm pollinator habitat and its support of years of research and education about the best practices for providing hospitable environments for pollinators in almond orchards and in other habitats.

    ABC worked with Pollinator Partnership and the California Department of Food and Agriculture last spring to create the California Pollinator Coalition (CPC) which brought together a broad array of grower organizations across the state’s ag and environmental landscape to help promote the health of wild and managed pollinators.

    “The formation of the California Pollinator Coalition was such a big step,” said Laurie Davies Adams, Pollinator Partnership’s Director of Programs, who helped found the CPC. “This is a unique statewide coalition that brings together every grower, farmer and rancher group. I don’t think that’s ever happened before. It’s going to make a real difference on the ground.”

    NAPPC is a collaboration of diverse partners from the U.S., Mexico and Canada. It includes respected scientists, researchers, business people, conservationists and government officials. NAPPC works to promote awareness and scientific understanding of pollinators, to find common ground for solutions and to create innovative initiatives that benefit pollinators. NAPPC is administered and supported by Pollinator Partnership, a non-profit headquartered in San Francisco with a mission to promote the health of pollinators through education, conservation and research.

    The award was announced during NAPPC’s 21st Annual International Conference, held virtually this year for the second time and hosted by the Pollinator Partnership and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The conference and award ceremony were planned for the Smithsonian before being forced to remain virtual because of COVID-19.

    Rourke and Adams said they would have liked to have given the honor in person to show how much they appreciate ABC’s work. “The strong effort that the Almond Board of California has mounted with the support of the almond industry to engage farmers and the entire agricultural community far beyond almond orchards is really impressive,” Adams said. “Bringing every grower group together to have an agriculturally-led coalition for pollinators is significant. It will provide building blocks for even more engagement and large results. It’s a pioneering effort that other states are seeking to emulate.”

    “This is an outstanding honor for our farmers,” Lewis said, “especially considering all the good work that NAPPC and the Pollinator Partnership do. As much as anyone, almond farmers are tuned in to the importance of pollinators to their crops and our ecosystem. That’s why they work so hard to make their orchards healthy places for pollinators.”

    Almond farmers across California’s Central Valley sit in what is essentially a flyway for pollinators. In recent years, almond farmers have applied to certify more than 110,000 acres of Bee Friendly Farming®, providing pollinator habitat and integrated pest management across the valley to keep that flyway healthy and create badly needed floral resources that compliment and expand beyond the annual almond bloom.

    “Almond farmers have doubled the number of acres of bee friendly habit in California and in that pollinator flyway,” Lewis said. “We’re proud to help lead a broad coalition of agriculture and conservation groups to work together to promote and preserve habitat for pollinators.”

    About the Almond Board of California
    ABC is a Federal Marketing Order dedicated to promoting California almonds to domestic and international audiences through marketing efforts and by funding and promoting research about almonds’ health benefits, efficient and sustainable farming, food safety and more. ABC works on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, many of whom are multi-generational family operations.
     
    About The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign
    For over 20 years, NAPPC has brought together stakeholders from all sectors of the pollinator issue in a collaborative partnership to support pollinator health across the North American continent. More than any other single organization, the collective effort of these 180 plus organizations has made pollinator health a feature in conservation landscape management. From its many Task Forces, NAPPC affects change and moves solid science into real progress on the ground. Managed by the Pollinator Partnership, more can be found about NAPPC at NAPPC | Pollinator.org.
  • CDFA 2020 Walnut Crop Report & Average Prices

    CDFA 2020 Walnut Crop Report & Average Prices

    Information contained in this report was supplied by walnut handlers to fulfill reporting requirements of Sections 55601.7 and 55601.8 of the Food and Agricultural Code. The report includes all tonnages of walnuts that were either produced by the handler or purchased from producers. The final weighted average price, including bonuses and allowances, has been reported for all contracts which were finalized.

    All 2020 crop transactions completed through the close of business on August 31, 2021 are included in this report. A “good faith” estimate of final weighted average price was reported for those contracts which were not final on the same date. The data are shown by major varieties at the State level only.

    SUMMARY OF WALNUT HANDLERS’ REPORTS

    Walnuts produced by handlers in 2020 totaled 12,572 tons. This figure does NOT include walnuts purchased from other handlers or producers.

    The total 2020 walnut crop purchased from producers, for whom pricing had been finalized, reached 728,746 tons at an average price of 60.5 cents per pound. This price is rounded to the nearest tenth of a cent per pound and includes all bonuses and allowances.

    Purchases from producers, for whom pricing was NOT finalized, totaled 45,543 tons. The average “good faith” estimate of the final weighted average price for this tonnage was 56.3 cents per pound.

    The quantity of all walnuts purchased from producers was 774,289 tons for the 2020 crop. This figure does not include walnuts produced by the handler or purchased from other handlers. The tonnage produced by the handler plus tonnage purchased from producers for the 2020 walnut crop was 786,861 in-shell tons.

    DEFINITIONS

    Producer: A person or operator who is responsible for the walnuts in the unprocessed state.

    Handler: Firm that processes and markets walnuts.

    Finalized Purchases: Tonnage purchased from producers, for which a pricing contract has been completed.

    Non-Finalized Purchases: Contracted tonnage, for which a final price has not yet been determined.

    Free Tonnage: Tonnage received by a handler, for which the only Federal marketing order regulation is a minimum quality or size standard. Reserve tonnage is the tonnage set aside as authorized by a Federal marketing order.

    Weighted Average Price: Weighted average price reflects prices or “good faith” estimates of prices as reported by handlers and include any bonuses or allowances.

  • Wonderful® Pistachios Celebrates National Nut Day With Pistachios

    Wonderful® Pistachios Celebrates National Nut Day With Pistachios

    Happy National Nut Day! To celebrate, Wonderful® Pistachios is pleased to announce it has helped propel pistachios to become the biggest and fastest-growing snack nut category in terms of annual retail revenue followed by cashews, mixed nuts, peanuts, and almonds, according to recent Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) 52-week data. The IRI data indicates pistachios experienced a +14% change from the previous year with Wonderful Pistachios alone contributing 96% of that pistachio revenue growth.

    In addition to its significant contributions to the overall pistachios snack nut category, Wonderful Pistachios No Shells flavors generated 85% of total flavored snack nuts category growth (+9%) this past year. After their initial launch with Roasted & Salted and Lightly Salted, and then subsequent flavor unveilings of Honey Roasted and Chili Roasted in 2019 and Sea Salt & Vinegar and BBQ in March of this year, Wonderful Pistachios has seen record weekly growth, further solidifying consumer demand for healthy and high-quality snacks.

    “We’re so excited to see Wonderful Pistachios as the leading snack nut brand in America, and we’re doubling down to continue this momentum,” shared Adam Cooper, senior vice president, The Wonderful Company. “Consumers are investing more in premium, healthier snacks, so we’re investing more in the category with a multi-million-dollar integrated marketing campaign.”

    To celebrate this monumental moment for pistachios and National Nut Day, Wonderful Pistachios launched a giveaway on Instagram. On October 22 from 12:01 a.m. PST until 11:59 p.m. PST, any Instagram user who both follows @wonderfulpistachios and comments on its National Nut Day post with their favorite flavor of Wonderful Pistachios In-Shell or No Shells variety will be automatically entered to win. Twenty-two winners will be selected at random and receive a complimentary package of their favorite Wonderful Pistachios variety along with one bag of each of the four Wonderful Pistachios No Shells flavors of Sea Salt & Vinegar, BBQ, Honey Roasted and Chili Roasted.

    “As we look ahead, our priorities are to continue the plant protein conversation, focus on pistachios as a better-for-you snack, especially throughout football season as a key snacking occasion, highlight the diverse In-Shell and No Shells flavors, and ensure availability of our product to retailers and consumers,” said Cooper. “We are supporting all of this with a fully integrated marketing strategy that includes our popular No Shells campaign, featuring Sheldon the turtle, returning to TV in addition to our ‘Greener Source’ plant protein TV campaign, digital and social media, FSIs, PR and in-store POS.”

    Wonderful Pistachios Successes Tapped into Today’s Consumer Trends

    As consumers seek healthier snack options, pistachios are a smart snack option, known for plant protein power, fiber, and better-for-you unsaturated fats – a combination that may help keep people feeling fuller longer. With 47% of consumer snacking three or more times per day, consumers can choose which Wonderful Pistachios products work best for their snacking occasion.

    “After being stuck at home for so long people demanded more variety and availability from their favorite premium snacks, and so we’ve made decisive efforts to tackle just that,” adds Cooper.

    New Flavors Created New Interest: Not only is Wonderful Pistachios a nutritious snack choice, but it’s also a flavorful one with many In-Shell and No Shells flavor varieties to choose from. Wonderful Pistachios No Shells was named one of America’s fastest-growing snack brands according to IRI. Since launching its award-winning BBQ and Sea Salt & Vinegar flavored No Shells in March 2021, Wonderful Pistachios has seen record growth, confirming that consumer demand dictates the need for flavorful varieties. The No Shells flavors joined an existing In-Shell flavor lineup that includes Salt & Pepper and Sweet Chili.

    Caution Caused Pantry Loading: It’s no secret that consumers have pantry-loaded and stocked-up with larger sizes over the last year. As a result of this, Wonderful Pistachios’ larger sized bag sales are up 27%2. Ensuring product is available to consumers when they want it and in the pack-size they want is incredibly important.

    Plant Protein Conversation Growth: The plant protein trend also continues to grow as Mintel data confirms 75% of people are adding more protein to their diet and choosing to eat less meat. Pistachios are the only snack nut which provide a good source of protein, offering 12% of the recommended daily protein value per 28 gram serving (1 oz). To be considered a good source of protein, the percentage daily value must be over 10%. Plant protein continues to be a mainstay in Wonderful Pistachios marketing communication. Wonderful Pistachios’ plant protein campaign includes TV, social media, and in-store POS bins that increase consumer awareness that pistachios are a good source of plant protein.

    For more information about Wonderful Pistachios, please visit  GetCrackin.com, Facebook at /WonderfulPistachios, and Instagram at @WonderfulPistachios.

  • Assemblyman Villapudua Named 2021 Almond Champion of the Year for Support of Pollinator Habitat Legislation

    Assemblyman Villapudua Named 2021 Almond Champion of the Year for Support of Pollinator Habitat Legislation

    Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) is being honored as the Almond Alliance of California’s 2021 Almond Champion of the Year for his effective leadership in authoring legislation that supports California’s pollinator habitats, as well as leading efforts to educate his fellow legislators about the importance of a sustainable California almond industry to the state’s economic health.

    The legislature this year approved a budget containing funding that will help almond growers implement those important conservation practices that benefit honey bees as they forage for pollen and nectar in the orchard. Assemblymember Villapudua’s leadership on AB 391, which highlighted the need for funds to accelerate the adoption of conservation practices designed to integrate pollinator habitat and forage on working lands, was critical in getting these funds approved.

    Almond Alliance Chair Mike Curry praised Villapudua for his work on legislation of importance to the California almond industry. “Assemblymember Villapudua as a freshman legislator has really taken the time to get to know the many facets of our industry,” explained Curry. “As one of the few legislators representing agriculture, he has done a great job of educating his fellow legislators about how important farming is to this state. His most recent efforts in obtaining funding for pollinator habitat conservation practices will benefit honey bees as they forage for pollen and nectar in almond orchards.”

    The Almond Champion of the Year Award is presented annually to those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in education, coalition building, partnerships and promoting legislation and policies that encourage the advancement and protection of California agriculture and the California almond industry. The award recipient is decided on by our Government Relations committee members. Committee members include:

    • Micah Zeff, Montpelier Orchards
    • Mike Curry, Johnson Farms
    • Dick Cunningham, Cunningham Ranch Inc.
    • Jeannine Grech, Campos Brothers Farms
    • Alicia Rockwell, Blue Diamond Growers
    • Dave Phippen, Travaille & Phippen
    • Melissa Frank, The Wonderful Company
    • Steve Van Duyn, Van Duyn Family Farms
    • Todd Meyer, Bear Republic Nut
    • Bill Lyons, Mapes Ranch
    Past recipients of this award include:
    • Assemblymember Adam Gray
    • Assemblymember Heath Flora
    • Connie Conway, former Director of Farm Service Agency

    The award will be presented by the Almond Alliance at the California Almond Industry Political Action Committee’s Annual Modesto Fundraiser at Del Rio Country Club on October 27, 2021, at 5:30 pm. This event brings together members of the almond community as well as FFA students, elected officials and designated special guests. RSVPs can be made to Annie Romero at aromero@almondalliance.org or 209-300-7140.

    Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua visiting with Almond Alliance of California at their annual Convention this year in Las Vegas

    About the Almond Alliance 

    The Almond Alliance of California (AAC) is a trusted non-profit organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of the California almond community. California almonds generate more than $21 billion in economic revenue and directly contribute more than $11 billion to the state’s total economy. California’s top agricultural export, almonds create approximately 104,000 jobs statewide, over 97,000 in the Central Valley, which suffers from chronic unemployment. The AAC is dedicated to educating state legislators, policy makers and regulatory officials about the California almond community. As a membership-based organization, our members include almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers and allied businesses. Through workshops, newsletters, conferences, social media and personal meetings, AAC works to raise awareness, knowledge and provide a better understanding about the scope, size, value and sustainability of the California almond community.