U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today thatagricultural businesses are now eligible for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs. SBA’s EIDL portal will reopen today as a result of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act. The legislation, signed into law by the President one week ago, provided additional funding for farmers and ranchers and certain other agricultural businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“For more than 30 years, SBA has been prohibited by law from providing disaster assistance to agricultural businesses; however, as a result of the unprecedented legislation enacted by President Trump, American farmers, ranchers and other agricultural businesses will now have access to emergency working capital,” said Administrator Carranza. “These low-interest, long-term loans will help keep agricultural businesses viable while bringing stability to the national’s vitally important food supply chains.”
Agricultural businesses include businesses engaged in the legal production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)). Eligible agricultural businesses must have 500 or fewer employees.
The SBA will begin accepting new EIDL applications on a limited basis only, in order to provide unprecedented relief to U.S. agricultural businesses. For agricultural businesses that submitted an EIDL loan application through the streamlined application portal prior to the legislative change, SBA will move forward and process these applications without the need for re-applying. All other EIDL loan applications that were submitted before the portal stopped accepting new applications on April 15 will be processed on a first-in, first-out basis.
California employers are required to establish and implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) to protect employees from all worksite hazards, including infectious diseases. This guidance contains information, recommendations, and requirements for agricultural employers on how to update their IIPPs to include preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. This guidance does not introduce any new legal obligations, but because COVID-19 is widespread in the community, most California workplaces must consider the disease a workplace hazard.
Employee Training on COVID-19
Agricultural employers must provide training in a way that is readily understandable by all employees. Employees should be trained on the following topics:
Information related to COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including:
o What COVID-19 is and how it is spread.
o Preventing the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick.
o Symptoms of COVID-19 and when to seek medical attention.
Information fromCalifornia’s COVID-19 Response Webpage for additional resources, including ones in Spanish.
The importance of frequent hand-washing with soap and water, including:
o Following CDC guidelines to wash for at least 20 seconds.
o When employees arrive at work and before they leave work.
o Before and after eating or using the toilet.
o After close interaction with other persons.
o After contacting shared surfaces or tools.
o Before and after wearing masks or gloves.
o After blowing nose or sneezing.
That hand sanitizer is not as effective ashand-washing but can be used as an interim measure if a hand-washing station is not immediately available.
Methods to avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
Coughing and sneezing etiquette, including covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue or a sleeve instead of a hand.
Safely using cleaners and disinfectants on surfaces and objects, which includes:
o Carefully following label directions.
o Assessing the hazards of all cleaners and disinfectants used at the worksite.
o Wearing personal protective equipment (such as gloves).
o Ensuring cleaners and disinfectants are used in a manner that does not endanger employees.
Limiting close contact with others as much
as possible and maintaining safe physical distancing (see Physical Distancing information on next page).
The importance of not coming to work if theyhave a frequent cough, fever, or difficulty breathing, or if they live with or have had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The employer’s plan and procedures to protect employees from COVID-19 illness.
2019
Procedures to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 at the Worksite
IIPP administrators should establish and implement the following procedures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
Immediately send employees with acute respiratory illness symptoms home or to medical care as needed.
Establish procedures to notify local healthofficials upon learning that someone has a COVID-19 infection. These officials will help employers determine a course of action.
Encourage sick workers to stay home by not punishing them for missing work. Considersick leave benefits to help prevent the spread among workers who might otherwise work out of economic necessity. Educate eligible employees on other benefits they can access if symptoms, illness, or caring for an ill family member prevents them from working.
Make hand-washing stations more readily available and encourage their use. Employers are advised that hand-washing is compensable as nonproductive time for piece-rate workers.
Establish procedures to routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and objects (e.g., water containers, steering wheels, shared tools, shared work stations, door handles, seat belts, insides of toilet facilities) throughout the workday. These procedures should include:
o Using products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19.
o Providing EPA-registered disposable wipes for employees to wipe down commonly used surfaces before use.
o Following the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., safety requirements, protective equipment, concentration, contact time).
o Ensuring there are adequate supplies to support cleaning and disinfection practices.
Procedures to Increase Physical Distancing
Physical distancing is an infection control measure that can stop or slow down the spread
of an infectious disease by limiting contact between people. Safe physical distancing means maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other people. Agricultural employers should use the following physical distancing measures to stop or slow down the spread of COVID-19:
Physical distancing should be practiced, whether outdoors, in vehicles, or in structures.
Establish work practices and work stations, and adjust line speed and other processes to enable employees to maintain safe physical distancing while working.
Stagger break and lunch times.
Limit crew size by staggering work shifts or increasing the number of work shifts.
Provide additional seating and shade structures to allow employees to take breaks while staying at least six feet apart.
Encourage employees to avoid large gatherings and practice physical distancing during non-work hours. Employers who house workers are encouraged to be proactive in making physical distancing possible and totake affirmative steps to quarantine any housed worker exhibiting symptoms.
Establish a location for receiving regulardeliveries away from on-farm high-traffic areas and housing.
o Place drop-boxes or drop-off locations near the road so vehicles do not need to enter the farm.
Health experts do not recommend the use of respirators by the general public or the general workforce for COVID-19. However, if available, employers should provide them to agricultural workers when needed to protect workers against excessive dust, Coccidioides fungus (the source of Valley Fever), or other harmful agents.
Create specific instructions for deliveries.
o Provide suppliers and customers with the location of and all the procedures to be used at the drop-off point.
o Create signage to easily identify drop-off points. Include contact information on the signs to assist with questions leading up to delivery and upon arrival.
Good Sanitation Practices
Agricultural employers must ensure bathrooms and hand-washing facilities are readily accessible to all employees at all times.
o Restrooms must be clean and sanitary.
o Hand-washing facilities must be located at or near the restrooms.
o Soap or other suitable cleansing agent and single-use towels must be provided.
o Additional hand-washing supplies should be placed as close to work areas as possible to allow for frequent hand-washing.
o Enough time must be allowed for frequent hand-washing.
o Due to increased hand-washing, the employer should frequently check the supply of soap, paper towels, and toilet paper, and replenish them before they run out.
Voting will begin April 29 to select one independent grower member and alternate position and two independent handler member and alternate positions on the Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors. These positions will serve terms beginning on August 1, 2020.
Candidates for the independent grower position are:
Position One, Member (One-year term): Position One, Alternate:
Paul Ewing, Los Banos (petitioner) Joe Gardiner, Earlimart (petitioner)
Louie Ott, Modesto (petitioner) Brad Klump, Escalon (petitioner)
Mike Mason, Wasco (petitioner)
Candidates for the independent handler positions are:
Position One, Member (Three-year term): Position One, Alternate:
Terry Boone, Modesto (petitioner) Ron Fisher, Modesto (incumbent)
Alexi Rodriguez, Caruthers (petitioner)
Micah Zeff, Modesto (petitioner)
Position Three, Member (One-year term): Position Three, Alternate:
Jonathan Hoff, Denair (petitioner) Chad DeRose, McFarland (petitioner)
Darren Rigg, Le Grand (petitioner) Dave Phippen, Manteca (petitioner)
Ballots and instructions have been mailed to all independent growers whose names are on file with ABC. The Almond Board must receive ballots by May 27, 2020, for them to be counted. If an independent grower or a handler does not receive a ballot, one may be obtained by contacting ABC’s Bunnie Ibrahim, senior analyst, Government Affairs, at (209) 343-3228.
As a governing body for the industry, the ABC Board of Directors is comprised of five handler and five grower representatives who set policy and recommend budgets in several major areas including production research, public relations and advertising, nutrition research, statistical reporting, quality control and food safety.
About the Almond Board of California
Almonds from California are a healthy, natural, wholesome and quality food. The Almond Board of California promotes almonds with a research-based approach to responsible farming, production and marketing on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond growers and processors in California, many of whom have third- and fourth-generation family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the California Almonds blog. – Article and photo courtesy of the Almond Board of California
The Board of Directors of the Nut Growers Society of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia met last week and voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 Summer Tour and Trade Show. The event was to be held on August 12th at the Lane County Fairgrounds with a tour of NGS president, Jason Perrott’s Coburg orchard. The board decided to “freeze” the event and locate to the same location for 2021 Summer Tour.
President Jason noted “The board felt the health and safety of members, sponsors and vendors are paramount at this unique time in history.” This is the first cancellation in the more than 60-year history of hazelnut-oriented summer tours. The same event is scheduled to be held in August of 2021. We are grateful for the support of members, sponsors and vendors. Please contact Juli Jones at the Oregon Hazelnut Industry Office at 503-582-8420 for any questions.
Watch Jason’s brief video related to the announcement HERE.
About the Nut Growers Society of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia
The Nut Growers Society was established in 1917 by the growers of hazelnuts and walnuts. The purpose of NGS as a membership group is to serve as the informational arm for the industry, providing news, research, marketing, current events and promotion information to grower members. For more information, visit oregonhazelnuts.org.
In celebrating the tradition and innovation of the State’s number one industry, agriculture, the California State Fair Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Agricultural Advisory Council, selects Bill and Carol Chandler as the Agriculturalists of the Year.
The Agriculturalist of the Year award is presented to an individual or individuals who have contributed extensively, in a professional capacity, to California’s agricultural industry. Award criteria stipulates the individual or individuals must have demonstrated leadership and clearly represented the industry over a number of years in one or more of the following areas: finance, government, production agriculture, education, labor, research, communications, trade and public service.
As a couple, Bill and Carol Chandler, contribute to the education and growth of the agriculture industry by serving the farming community in a variety of roles. Each in their own right continue to serve at local and statewide levels. Their peers recognize their commitment and leadership. “They are a dynamic couple who have demonstrated a true commitment to not only farming, but to family and their community,” said Cathleen Galgiani, State Senator.
“They truly are an unmatched duo when it comes to participating in leadership roles to articulate the value and need of the marvelous bounty of food, fiber and fauna that our state produces,” said Barry Bedwell, California Agriculture Leadership Foundation.
Bill is a third-generation farmer in Fresno County. Bill and Carol grow grapes, peaches, plums, nectarines and almonds on the family farm in Fresno County, which was founded in the 1880s by Bill’s grandfather, W.F. Chandler. Their sons, John and Tom, recently joined the family farming business.
Bill, a graduate of the University of California, Davis in Agriculture Production has had a long history of involvement in California agriculture. He has served and continues to serve and be recognized on a number of boards and commissions over the years, including:
California Association of Winegrape Growers, Nisei Farmers League, Fresno County Farm Bureau, California Cling Peach Advisory Board, Freestone Peach Association, California Fresh Fruit Association, U.C. Davis Foundation Board, U.C. Davis Fresno County Alumni Scholarship Chair, Cal Aggie Alumni Association Director, and U.C. President’s Agriculture Advisory Committee.
A graduate of Class 6 of the California Agriculture Leadership Program, Bill is also involved in his community as a board member of the Sequoia Council of Boy Scouts of America and is the recipient of the Silver Beaver award.
Carol is a partner in Chandler Farms. Carol is actively engaged in the business administration portion of the farming operation. Prior to joining the family farm, Carol taught in the San Joaquin Valley, including Fresno City College. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Davis, and her Master’s Degree from California State University, Fresno.
Carol is a past State President of California Women for Agriculture, a member of the Board of Directors of Western Growers Association, Fresno State Board of Governors, the Central Valley Community Foundation and American Agri-Women. She is also a member of the CSU Fresno Water Task Force and serves on the UC President’s Advisory Commission on Agriculture and Natural Resources. Carol previously served on the California State University Board of Trustees, University of California Board of Regents, California Post-Secondary Education Commission, U.S. Department of Agriculture Advisory Committee on Emerging Markets, Grape & Tree Fruit League, and the Fresno County Fair Board.
Recognized by the California State Legislature as Woman of the Year in 1992 and 2002, Carol has further been acknowledged for her outstanding contributions to agriculture and education as the recipient of the Tapestry Award presented by Common Threads for outstanding achievements in agriculture, and as the Agriculturalist of the Year by the Fresno County Chamber of Commerce.
The Chandlers will formally be honored at the California State Fair Gala, an evening supporting the California agriculture award winners and the Friends of the California State Fair scholarship program on Thursday, June 25, 2020. Those interested in attending and honoring Bill and Carol Chandler can purchase tickets at https://calexpostatefair.com/gala/.
SCS Global Services announced today that Bullseye Farms is the world’s first almond farm to be independently certified under the internationally recognized “Sustainably Grown” standard for agricultural crops. Bullseye Farms, a diversified farming operation based in Woodland, California, grows almonds marketed under the “Almond Lane” brand.
“As the first almond grower to meet the high-bar requirements of the Sustainably Grown standard, Bullseye Farms has proven itself to be a leader in the industry,” said Kevin Warner, SCS’ manager of sustainable agriculture.
“Working through the Sustainably Grown certification process has opened our eyes to the amount of thought and effort we have put into implementing progressive practices,” said Nick Edsall, Bullseye’s orchard manager. “We’ve worked hard to create a working environment that we can all be proud of. It’s not often that we step back from our day to day activities to reflect on decisions we have made that contribute to the wellbeing of our employees, our environment, and our community. Being formally recognized under the Sustainably Grown certification validates our efforts and gives us motivation to continue on the path of sustainability.” He described several of the company’s achievements, including:
Competitive employee benefits, resulting in a <1% average turnover rate
Hosting frequent educational community field days, industry tours, and university research and workshops
Increasing orchard soil health to decrease overall inputs
Moving away from pyrethroids and relying more on beneficial insects for pest management
Progressive and state-of-the-art irrigation monitoring data collection techniques that create a multi-faceted water management strategy
The Sustainably Grown certification standard applies to products meeting the highest levels of environmental, social and economic sustainability. The program has been benchmarked to numerous international schemes for ethical and sustainable performance. It applies to agricultural operations around the world, large and small, providing a roadmap to satisfy the emerging market for environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
“Producers of Certified Sustainably Grown crops work diligently to provide a safe and healthy work environment, support farm communities, and protect vital environmental resources such as clean air, clean water, and wildlife habitat, while reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions,” explained Warner. “Having earned the right to carry the Sustainably Grown label, the Almond Lane brand has proven its resilience and relevance to today’s sustainably-minded marketplace.”
About Bullseye Farms
Bullseye Farms is located in Woodland, CA, one of the most fertile areas for growing in the United States. It produces tomatoes, tree crops, and several award-winning rotational crops. Its goal is to produce the best quality product possible on a large scale, bringing value and taste to buyers and consumers alike. Bullseye Farm’s almonds are currently offered at select Northern California grocers, hotels, restaurants, and on Amazon under the label “Almond Lane.”
For more information about Bullseye Farms and Almond Lane, visit www.bullseyefarms.com.
About SCS Global Services
SCS Global Services has provided global leadership in third-party sustainability and food safety certification, auditing, testing, and standards development since 1984. Its programs span a wide range of industries, recognizing achievements in food and agriculture, green building, product manufacturing, forestry, consumer goods, climate, and more. SCS is a California Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. More information available at www.scsglobalservices.com.
In April and May, once new shoots start to grow, growers will be able to identify trees that are potassium deficient as their leaves will be pale, rolled into a boat shape and have developed tip and marginal scorching. Photo courtesy of UC IPM
By Almond Board of California — Almond trees need a variety of different nutrients to thrive, though one of the most important among them is nitrogen. From proper management to understanding the relationship between nitrogen and yield, it’s imperative that growers understand how this element benefits tree health and their productivity each crop year.
Comprehensive nutrient management improves many aspects of tree growth, yield and kernel quality during an orchard’s lifespan. Balanced nutrition, experts say, takes place over many months and should be timed to when the tree most needs it – typically, that’s in mid-March, when at least 70% of leaves are on the tree, and continues in phases throughout the growing season.
Beyond nitrogen, though, two other key nutrients trees are also necessary to maximize trees’ productivity – zinc and potassium. As with nitrogen, growers always are advised to keep the four R’s in mind when applying any nutrient or fertilizer:
Right rate: Match supply with tree demand from all inputs (fertilizer, water and soil)
Right time: Application must coincide with tree demand and root uptake
Right place: Delivery must be to active roots, not below the root zone
Right source: Maximize uptake and tree response and minimize waste
Zinc
Zinc helps trees when cells are dividing and growing, and also is important for next year’s bud set, according to Univeristy of California (UC) Davis professor Patrick Brown, an expert on almond nutrient management. Typically, it is applied via foliar sprays or micro-drip irrigation in the spring.
“Zinc needs to be ‘fed’ to the tree when it is hungry so that it can reach the buds,” Brown explained.
Leaf and soil analysis are important in monitoring zinc needs, Brown said. Leaf values should be at least 20 parts per million (ppm) in the summer, though orchards with readings of less than 30 ppm “will frequently respond to zinc.” In addition, a soil pH level of more than 7.2 can impede zinc uptake. Reducing the soil’s pH from 5.5 to 7.0 via acid injections or ammoniacal nitrogen sources will help with trees’ zinc uptake, and frequent zinc applications via micro-irrigation are the most effective.
Trees that are suffering from a lack of zinc will have small, pale leaves, Brown said. Other symptoms include late bud emergence and erratic flowering. Deficiencies often occur when cold, wet weather in early spring is followed by a warm period, which drives up trees’ zinc demand.
More on zinc demand and foliar application can be found in this published research paper written by Brown, the Almond Board’s Sebastian Saa and UC Davis professor Claudia Negron in March 2018.
Potassium
Potassium is important for development of the hull, shell and kernel. As with nitrogen, Brown recommends applying potassium in multiple smaller applications throughout the growing season. The rate, he said, should be 80 pounds per 1,000 pounds in yield.
Potassium deficiency symptoms often appear in early-to-midsummer and are worst on older leaves of current shoots. Trees also typically show slow growth and smaller leaves, and may produce yields below potential. Low potassium levels often carry over into the following year, “decreasing the number of flowering spurs where trees will set nuts,” as noted by Brown and UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors Katherine Jarvis-Sheen and Joseph Connell in the article “Potassium management for sustained almond yields.”
Leaf analysis is the best way to measure potassium levels and detect concerns early. Brown, Connel and Jarvis-Sheen recommend collecting leaf samples in July because they are “relatively stable at that time.” Potassium levels about 1.4% are “considered adequate.” The trio also states that “higher-than-adequate levels will also help provide ‘back-up’ for heavy set years, which may be especially important to sprinkler irrigated orchards where in-season fertigation to meet higher than usual potassium needs is not effective.”
A balanced approach
Something all growers should recognize, Brown said, is that the right balance of many key nutrients is necessary to optimize a tree’s use of nitrogen. The way to detect balance, he said, is through regular leaf analysis and other monitoring methods (sap analysis, trunk measurements, carbohydrate analysis and soil nutrient status).
“Optimizing nitrogen use efficiency requires optimal management of all inputs,” Brown said. “If any nutrient is undersupplied, yield is lost and response to other elements cannot occur. And if any nutrient is oversupplied, money is wasted.”
And, unlike the weather, nutrient management is something growers can directly impact.
“Nutrient and water management are items that growers control that impact profit, the value chain and protection for the planet,” said Steve Petrie, director of agronomic services for Yara North America. “Nutrient and water management are intertwined. You can’t do one properly without the other.”
For more information on optimal nutrient management, check out this presentation on nutrient management given by Brown, Petrie and others at The Almond Conference 2019 in December.
By Schramm, Williams & Associates, Inc. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the $19 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to support farmers and ranchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is comprised of two major elements: direct payments to farmers and ranchers and commodity purchase and distribution.
Direct Payments Program – Provides $16 billion in direct support based on actual losses for agricultural producers where prices and market supply chains have been impacted and will assist producers with additional adjustment and marketing costs resulting from lost demand and short-term oversupply for the 2020 marketing year caused by COVID-19.
Purchase and Distribution Program – $3 billion of agricultural products, including meat, dairy, and produce will be purchased to support producers and provided food to those in need. USDA will work with local food and regional distributors to deliver food to food banks, as well as community and faith-based organization to provide food to those in need.
CFAP uses funding authorities provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), USDA’s existing CCC funding, and Section 32 authority.
Direct Assistance Program
Source of Funds
This program is funded using the $9.5 billion emergency program secured in the CARES Act and $6.5 billion in Credit Commodity Corporation (CCC) funding.
Payment Allocations
USDA will provide $16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers including:
$2.1 billion for specialty crops producers
$500 million for others crops
Payment Calculations
Producers will receive a single payment determined using two calculations:
Price losses that occurred January 1 – April 15, 2020.
Producers will be compensated for 85% of price loss during that period.
The expected losses from April 15 through the next two quarters.
Will cover 30% of expected losses.
Limitations
The payment limit is $125,000 per commodity with an overall limit of $250,000 per individual or entity.
Qualified commodities must have experienced a 5% price decrease between January and April.
Expected Timeframe
Program Sign-up: Beginning in Early May
Payment Distribution: End of May or early June
Food Purchase and Distribution Program
Commodity Procurement
It will begin with the procurement of an estimated:
$100 million per month in fresh fruits and vegetables;
$100 million per month in a variety of dairy products;
$100 million per month in meat products.
Distribution
The distributors and wholesalers will provide a pre-approved box of fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need.
Additional Food Purchasing
In addition to the two targeted programs, USDA will utilize other available funding sources to purchase and distribute food to those in need.
USDA has up to an additional $873.3 million available in Section 32 funding to purchase a variety of agricultural products for distribution to food banks. The use of these funds will be determined by industry requests, USDA agricultural market analysis, and food bank needs.
The FFCRA and CARES Act provided an at least $850 million for food bank administrative costs and USDA food purchases, of which a minimum of $600 million will be designated for food purchases. The use of these funds will be determined by food bank need and product availability.
Further details regarding eligibility, rates, and other implementation will be released at a later date.
Recycling trees onsite can sequester carbon, save water and increase crop yields, making it a climate-smart practice for California’s irrigated almond orchards, finds a study from the University of California, Davis.
Whole orchard recycling is when old orchard trees are ground, chipped and turned back into the soil before new almond trees are planted.
The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, suggests that whole orchard recycling can help almond orchards be more sustainable and resilient to drought while also increasing carbon storage in the soil.
“To me what was really impressive was the water piece,” said corresponding author Amélie Gaudin, an associate professor of agroecology in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. “Water is central to how we think about agriculture in California. This is a clear example of capitalizing on soil health. Here we see some real benefits for water conservation and for growers.”
Burn vs. turn
Drought and high almond prices have encouraged higher rates of orchard turnover in recent years. The previous practice of burning trees that are no longer productive is now restricted under air quality regulations, so whole orchard recycling presents an alternative. But how sustainable and effective is it for the environment and for farmers?
For the study, scientists measured soil health and tree productivity of an almond orchard that turned previous Prunus woody biomass back into the soil through whole orchard recycling and compared it with an orchard that burned its old trees nine years prior.
They also experimentally reduced an orchard’s irrigation by 20 percent to quantify its water resilience.
Their results found that, compared with burn treatments, whole orchard recycling can:
Sequester 5 tons of carbon per hectare
Increase water-use efficiency by 20 percent
Increase crop yields by 19 percent
“This seems to be a practice that can mitigate climate change by building the soil’s potential to be a carbon sink, while also building nutrients and water retention,” said Gaudin. “That can be especially important as water becomes more limited.”
Study co-authors included Emad Jahanzad and Kelsey Brewer of UC Davis; Brent Holtz, Sean Hogan and Cameron Zuber of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Cooperative Extension; and David Doll, who was formerly with UC Cooperative Extension.
The study was funded by a Specialty Crop Block Grant Program of the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Almond Board of California. — By Kat Kerlin, News and Media Relations, 530-752-7704, kekerlin@ucdavis.edu
Jovita Carranza announced today thatagricultural businesses are now eligible for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs. SBA’s EIDL portal will reopen today as a result of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act. The legislation, signed into law by the President one week ago, provided additional funding for farmers and ranchers and certain other agricultural businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
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The Agriculturalist of the Year award is presented to an individual or individuals who have contributed extensively, in a professional capacity, to California’s agricultural industry. Award criteria stipulates the individual or individuals must have demonstrated leadership and clearly represented the industry over a number of years in one or more of the following areas: finance, government, production agriculture, education, labor, research, communications, trade and public service.
Recycling trees onsite can sequester carbon, save water and increase crop yields, making it a climate-smart practice for California’s irrigated almond orchards, finds a study from the University of California, Davis.
Burn vs. turn