The Almond Board of California (ABC) has released election results for the Board of Directors positions whose terms of office begin August 1, 2021. 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.
The names of the following nominees have been submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for selection:
Independent Grower
Member Position One (one-year term):
Paul Ewing, Los Banos
Alternate Position One:
Brandon Rebiero, Modesto
Member Position Three (three-year term):
Joe Gardiner, Earlimart
Alternate Position Three:
Chris Bettencourt, Westley
Independent Handler
Member Position Two (three-year term):
Bob Silveira, Williams
Alternate Position Two:
Dexter Long, Ballico
Member Position Three (one-year term):
Darren Rigg, Le Grand
Alternate Position Three:
Chad DeRose, McFarland
Cooperative Grower
Member Position Two (three-year term):
Christine Gemperle, Ceres
Alternate Position Two:
Kent Stenderup, Bakersfield
In addition, Lisa Giannini, Hickman, has been named to fill the Cooperative Grower Alternate Position One role.
Almond experts say there is only one proven way to know when hull split begins: inspect your trees from the top down, starting in the southwest corner of the canopy.
The importance of knowing precisely when hull split occurs is critical because it signals the proper timing for treatments to control navel orangeworm (NOW) and, as appropriate, hull rot. Whether growers use a ladder, climb atop a pruning tower or lop off a few high branches with extension pruners, the goal is to understand what’s happening in the top of the tree, where nuts mature at a faster rate.
Simply looking up into a tree’s canopy from the orchard floor is a sure fire way to miss the advent of hull split. When hulls split, a scent is released into the air, attracting female NOW moths to lay their eggs on the suture of the splitting hull. As the hull splits, fungal spores also can enter and spawn hull rot infections.
Missing the beginning of hull split and allowing NOW or pathogens to gain a toehold in an orchard can wreck a grower’s entire season and reduce the value of the crop, costing growers in returns if nuts are rejected after harvest.
Summer split invites unwanted guests
Growers can determine if hull split has occurred – and if it’s time to spray – if, when they squeeze the end of the hull, the entire suture opens up, exposing the shell within. Almond hulls split as the fruit ripens, and timing varies based on weather conditions and variety. For instance, the variety Nonpareil typically splits in early- to- mid-July, earlier than some other varieties.
However, it’s at the stage before this, when the hull is split in a deep “V,” that susceptibility to NOW and wound pathogens that cause hull rot (Rhizopus, Aspergillus, and Monilinia) increase, making it vitally important that growers actively monitor their trees.
Vice President of Member Services for Blue Diamond Growers Mel Machado advises growers to look for blank nuts – those without a kernel inside – as those hulls are the first to split, several days ahead of the “sound” nuts (those with a full kernel).
Mel Machado, Blue Diamond Growers
“The blanks are like the warning shot, signaling the start of hull split,” he said. “When full hull split does occur, the nuts at the top of the canopy will open up first.”
Experts say growers should pay attention to trees on the edge of their orchards as they often ripen more quickly. Growers should also closely monitor the upper and outer portions of the canopy, particularly the southwest quadrant of the orchard block where the hot afternoon sun aids in the splitting and drying process.
“Better to be too early than too late”
Hull split applications should be made no later than at 1% hull split. This is the most effective time to spray for NOW as it often coincides with initiation of the second NOW flight.1
Once growers identify hull split in their orchard, their next step should be to initiate timely treatment. Experts warn that waiting too long to begin spraying will cost growers, as will performing a poor spray job.
Machado advised, “It’s better to be a bit on the early side than late” when spraying. Once hull split begins, he recommended the entire orchard be sprayed in five days or less. “If it takes 10 or 15 days, that’s too long,” he said.
Planning ahead – especially for smaller growers who rely on custom applicators – is essential.
“Watch your fields closely and be in contact with your operator early on,” Machado advised.
In larger orchards, Machado advises growers consider starting with aerial sprays, recognizing that ground-based sprays don’t always provide complete coverage at the tops of the trees.
“We’re seeing growers effectively incorporate aerial applications into their treatment programs for the first application in order to cover the acreage in a timely manner,” Machado said.
The best time to spray is early in the morning or at dusk.
“Do not spray in the heat of the day – your application will evaporate into thin air and you won’t get the material where it needs to go. That’s a waste of time and money, as you’re not only wasting spray material but you also won’t achieve the coverage necessary to combat crop damage,” Machado said.
Finally, growers should ensure their ground-based sprayers are properly calibrated, the nozzles are unplugged and that air flow isn’t restricted. Once it’s time to spray, growers should remind applicators to drive no more than two mph through orchards to ensure optimum coverage and to drive down each row to ensure the trees are equally covered.
“There are some guys who spray every other row, and that’s not a good idea,” Machado said. “There are two sides to the tree; you need to spray both of them.”
Machado reinforced that hullsplit sprays offer the final chance to manage NOW populations before harvest. Still, these applications are only part of a coordinated, year-round, integrated pest management plan to combat NOW that also must include winter sanitation and mating disruption, both of which are performed earlier in the crop year. — By the Almond Board of California
Almond Board of California — Exciting research shows that conducting Whole Orchard Recycling (WOR) in almonds can increase crop yields in subsequent orchards, provide long-term benefits to soil health (such as improved water retention and nutrient levels) and increase carbon sequestration.
Conducted by researchers from the University of California (UC) Davis and UC Agricultural and Natural Resources, with funding in part by the Almond Board of California (ABC), this study identifies significant advantages to practicing WOR, the breadth of which are detailed in a report published in the journal PLOS ONE.
The study spanned over a decade and compared plots within a nine-year-old orchard where WOR took place with plots where trees had been burned and their ashes tilled into the soil. At ninth leaf, researchers also tested the impact of deficit irrigation mid-growing season by reducing the amount of water applied by 20% for some of the trees.
When the results were placed side-by-side, the plots where WOR took place consistently bested the plots where old trees’ ashes were tilled into the soil. Among other benefits, researchers discovered a:
19% increase in yields at ninth leaf and 15% increase in cumulative yield over five years,
30% increase in soil water holding capacity (water retention), and
17% increase in total soil nitrogen levels.
To note: Subsequent research found that additional nitrogen is needed in the first year.
“Almond growers have long been told that implementing practices to improve soil health will provide all these benefits, but until now there had been very little data demonstrating that a focus on feeding the soil with organic matter can make a meaningful difference in yield and crop quality,” said Gabriele Ludwig, Ph.D., director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs for the Almond Board.
Study shows significant yield increases Key among the multiple positive outcomes discovered by this WOR study is the potential for increased yields. This finding not only brings good news for a grower’s bottom line, but it also has positive implications on the industry’s effort to produce “more crop per drop,” an effort it is striving to achieve as part of its Almond Orchard 2025 Goal to reduce the amount of water used to grow a pound of almonds by an additional 20%.
“The increased water holding soil capacity that occurs as a result of Whole Orchard Recycling means that trees are subject to fewer extremes in terms of water availability, as more water is held in the upper layer of the soil where the majority of the tree’s roots are, and where tree uptake takes place,” Ludwig explained.
Research shows that WOR increased water retention in the soil by up to 30%. While Ludwig cautioned that this data does not lend itself to a recommendation that growers can use less water if they practice WOR, it does indicate that applied water is used more efficiently by trees in orchards where WOR has occurred.
Amélie Gaudin, Ph.D., an associate professor of agroecology in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences and a co-author of the WOR research report, said that by allowing more water to penetrate and the remain in the soil, WOR also reduces potential irrigation-related losses caused by runoff or evapotranspiration.
“In plots where WOR occurred, water was more likely to reach and be used by the trees, allowing for increased yields as trees experienced less short-term stress and therefore achieved greater water use efficiency,” Ludwig said.
A hedge against deficit-induced tree stress This study also demonstrates that by increasing soil organic matter, WOR helps insulate orchards from negative impacts of deficit irrigation, which involves a delicate balance between stressing one’s trees just enough to prevent too much moisture and potential for disease in the orchards with not overstressing the trees to a point where their yields and overall health are compromised. According to the research, the deficit-irrigated trees in the WOR plots maintained higher stem water potential compared to the deficit-irrigated trees in the burn plots, indicating trees in the WOR plots were less water stressed.
“We forget that trees can get stressed enough to shut down photosynthesis, whether that’s because they can’t keep up with water demand in the hot afternoons, for a day or two before irrigation, or during harvest,” Ludwig said. “So, when the upper layers of the soil can hold more water, the trees are better buffered from those stresses.”
Gaudin said that by improving water holding capacity, WOR also helps orchards retain nitrogen, one of almond trees’ most necessary nutrients. This has positive implications for groundwater quality in areas where nitrogen leeching is a concern. It also may contribute to yield increases as trees in the WOR plots were shown to have greater access to nitrogen for longer periods of time.
Another supplementary benefit, Ludwig noted, is that over time, as microorganisms in the soil break down the woody biomass, both macro- and micronutrients contained within the wood are released for reuse by the next generation of trees. This allows growers to “recycle” those nutrients so that they may be used throughout the lifetime of their newly planted orchard.
Next steps for researchers working on this WOR research, Gaudin said, include further study of carbon sequestration and its implication for greenhouse gases, gaining a better understanding of nitrogen retention, optimizing WOR in different soil conditions and the impacts of integrating WOR with other responsible growing practices such as cover crops or anaerobic soil disinfestation.
Support for those seeking to conduct WOR Growers may be eligible to receive incentive funding to conduct WOR if they apply for funds far enough in advance of conducting the practice.
WOR is now a practice eligible for co-funding through CDFA’s Healthy Soil Incentives Program. Payments cover about 50% of the cost of WOR, according to CDFA Senior Environmental Scientist Geetika Joshi. The next round of funding for the program begins in July 2021.
USDA-NRCS offers Conservation Stewardship Program funds to growers who find alternatives to burning old trees, providing $783.29 per acre for chipping (used for animal bedding or applied as mulch on another piece of ag land) and an additional $242.09 per acre for Whole Orchard Recycling. While applications are accepted year-round, funding for 2021 has already been announced. Still, growers can submit their applications now to apply for 2022 funding.
For those in the San Joaquin Valley, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District provides cost-share funds to reduce ag burning through its Alternative to Agricultural Open Burning Incentive Program. Growers participating in this program are eligible to receive $300-$600 per acre, with a maximum of $60,000 per grower. Incentive recipients are typically paid four-to-six weeks after their completion of WOR, and after an invoice has been sent to the district.
For general questions about incentive programs, industry members may contact ABC’s Jesse Roseman at jroseman@almondboard.com.
Those interested to learn more about how WOR may be practiced on their operation are encouraged to download or request a physical copy of the Whole Orchard Recycling Guide for California Almond Growers, created in partnership by ABC and UC ANR. Growers are also welcome to watch the Whole Orchard Recycling Overview and Whole Orchard Recycling – A Grower’s How-To videos, which are hosted on YouTube and found on ABC’s website. Finally, UC Davis provides a robust website dedicated to Whole Orchard Recycling, which offers a deep dive into the research findings, grower testimonials, and more.
In addition to Gaudin, co-authors of the study include Kelsey Brewer and Emad Jahanzad of UC Davis; Brent Holtz, Sean Hogan and Cameron Zuber of UC Cooperative Extension; and David Doll, a former UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor.
Almond Board of California — Voting began April 21st to select two independent grower member and alternate positions and two independent handler member and alternate positions. These positions will serve as directors for the Almond Board of California (ABC) with the terms beginning on August 1, 2021.
Candidates for the independent grower positions are: Position One, Member (One-year term):
Paul Ewing, Los Banos (incumbent)
Ross Franson, Fresno (petitioner)
Position One, Alternate:
Michael Anderson, Vina (petitioner)
Brandon Rebiero, Modesto (petitioner)
Position Three, Member (Three-year term):
Dave DeFrank, Fresno (petitioner)
Joe Gardiner, Earlimart (petitioner)
Caleb Gervase, Escalon (petitioner)
Kash Gill, Yuba City, (petitioner)
Position One, Alternate:
Dinesh Bajaj, Orland (petitioner)
Chris Bettencourt, Westley (petitioner) Caleb Gervase, Escalon (petitioner)
Candidates for the independent handler positions are: Position Two, Member (Three-year term):
Todd Meyer, Chico (incumbent)
Bob Silveira, Williams (petitioner)
Position Two, Alternate:
Dexter Long, Ballico (incumbent)
Position Three, Member (One-year term):
Darren Rigg, Le Grand (incumbent)
Position Three, Alternate:
Chad DeRose, McFarland (incumbent)
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, 2021 for them to be counted. If an independent grower or a handler does not receive a ballot, one may be obtained by contacting Bunnie Ibrahim 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.
The Almond Board of California (ABC) is releasing two California almond industry acreage reports: USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) 2020 California Almond Acreage Report including the 2021 preliminary bearing acreage, and Land IQ’s 2021 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate (bearing acres, only). These reports are being issued side by side to improve industry reporting methods and provide a more robust picture of California’s almond acreage.
USDA-NASS reports a continued increase in California’s almond acreage in 2020. Bearing acres, or orchards that have matured enough to produce a crop, are estimated at 1.25 million acres, up 5.9 percent from 2019. Total almond acreage, including non-bearing trees, is estimated at 1.6 million, up 5.3 percent from the previous year. Nonpareil continued to be the leading variety, followed by Monterey, Butte, Carmel, and Padre.
Land IQ’s initial estimate for total bearing acreage in 2021 – which reflects standing acreage that will be productive during the 2021/2022 harvest – is 1,323,722 acres. This estimate takes into account both young orchards coming into production and orchards removed or estimated to be removed.
“California almond bearing and non-bearing acreage continues to increase indicating almond production will also rise in coming years. Demand has consistently been very strong during this crop year with global shipments YTD (August 2020 – March 2021) up 17.7%, as production crossed the 3 billion pound threshold for the first time,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board.
All export regions of the world have reported strong numbers, with shipments to China/Hong Kong up 59% year to date (YTD), South Korea up 45% YTD, India up 51% YTD, and Western Europe up 12% YTD, as compared to a year ago.
USDA-NASS’s acreage report is the first of three annual reports, including the Subjective Estimate released in May and Objective Report in July. These reports are commissioned by the Almond Board to provide statistical transparency to industry stakeholders around the world.
Each USDA-NASS California Almond Acreage Report includes estimates on bearing, non-bearing and total acreage, in addition to data organized by variety, year planted and county. A major source of data for this survey is almond growers’ voluntary responses to mailed questionnaires distributed by USDA-NASS, with consecutive telephone and field follow-up. To arrive at the estimated almond acreage, USDA-NASS compares its almond acreage database with the 2017 Census of Agriculture, pesticide application data maintained by County Agricultural Commissioners and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, in addition to data collected on the 2020 Almond Nursery Sales Report, which this year USDA-NASS released in conjunction with the California Almond Acreage Report, and Land IQ assessment.
In 2018, ABC first commissioned Land IQ, a Sacramento-based agricultural and environmental scientific research and consulting firm, to develop a comprehensive, living map of California almonds. The map is the result of nearly a decade of research, and because Land IQ’s approach does not rely on surveys or extrapolation, it has an accuracy of 98% or greater. Beginning in 2019, ABC began a mapping process with Land IQ in which two acreage estimates will be released annually: the initial estimate of bearing acreage in the spring and the final estimate, with both bearing and non-bearing acreage for the same production year, delivered in the fall. In addition to the acreage estimates, Land IQ will annually produce an estimate of removed acreage.
This year, Land IQ’s spatial analysis shows that between September 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, 44,303 acres were removed and estimates that an additional 3,500 acres will be removed from April 1 to August 31, 2021, for a total estimate of 47,803 acres removed.
Starting in 2020, Land IQ annually provided its initial estimate to USDA-NASS to fine-tune the official California Almond Acreage Report and other forecasts. The USDA-NASS reports and estimates remain the official Almond Board statistics provided for the California almond industry.
On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, USDA-NASS will release the 2021 Subjective Estimate, which provides an initial forecast of the upcoming crop. Data within the Subjective Estimate is based on opinions obtained from almond growers in a survey sent by USDA-NASS. Almond growers will soon receive the USDA-NASS survey and are encouraged to participate. On Monday, July 12, 2021, USDA-NASS will release the 2021 Objective Report. This report collects data later in the growing season, closer to harvest, and is based on an actual count of nuts on the trees. — Almond Board of California
Next month, starting May 4, the Almond Board of California’s Field Outreach and Education team will be embarking on our previously postponed, long-awaited Industry Roadshow! The team is loading up Fritz, the almond van, with 3,000 informational packets featuring the latest ABC resources and traveling to 20 locations throughout the state with the purpose of:
Handing out new ABC resources, as well as resources that industry members would have picked up at the ABC booth during an in-person Almond Conference
Offering industry members an opportunity to meet ABC staff and leadership. We have missed spending time with industry members, and as things begin to normalize we look forward to connecting with the industry, answering their questions, hearing updates from the field, etc.Roadshow Details:
The Almond Board of California’s Field Outreach and Education team, in addition to industry and ABC leadership, will kick off the first-ever Industry Roadshow on Tuesday, May 4. The Almond Board team will visit 20 locations (details attached). Industry members are invited to drive up to the location nearest them and look for Fritz,the almond van, as well as the Field Outreach team and ABC/industry leadership. Industry members will have the opportunity to meet the Field Outreach team members who are responsible for providing them with ABC resources, hands-on assistance in the orchard, California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP) support, and more. In addition, they will have the opportunity to pick up latest ABC resources, including:
· 2020 Research Update
· NEW: Nitrogen Best Management Practices
NEW: Application Quick Tips – in English and Spanish
· NEW: Whole Orchard Recycling Grower Guide
· NEW: Almond Production Resource Cards: Pests, Water and More!
Almond Board of California —Insect pest management in almond and pistachio orchards largely focuses on reducing damage from navel orangeworm (NOW). Yet, after navel orangeworm, large bugs such as leaffooted bugs (LFBs) and stinkbugs are considered to be among the most damaging insects.
Leaffooted bug species of particular concern in the past have included Leptoglossus clypealis, Leptoglossus occidentalis, and Leptoglossus zonatus. Leptoglossus clypealis is occasionally noted to be numerous: In 2013, L. clypealis was a particularly abundant LFB in orchards; however, since that time, L. clypealis seems to be less common than another LFB, L. zonatus.
Recognizing and understanding the differences between these two LFB is key to effective management.
L. clypealis is shown on the left and L. zonatus on the right. Photo courtesy of Dr. Joyce.
L. zonatus is a larger LFB than L. clypealis and has longer mouthparts that allow it to feed on developing fruits longer into the growing season. Prior to 2013, L. zonatusdid not appear regularly in almonds in California, and it was not noted in University of California Integrated Pest Management manuals as being a pest of almonds – while this species was present in California, perhaps it was not particularly numerous. Since 2013, L. zonatus has frequently been observed in almonds during the growing season and at harvest, and now seems to occur more regularly in orchards than L. clypealis. It may be that the larger LFB L. zonatus is displacing L. clypealis.
From 2014-2016, researchers identified LFB collections in almond and pistachio orchards from Chico to Bakersfield as consisting of two species: L. clypealis and L. zonatus. A 2017 study by Dr. Andrea Joyce, an entomologist at the University of California, Merced, investigated population genetics of these two species and found that L. clypealiscollections have high genetic diversity and many genetic types (haplotypes). This suggests that these L. clypealiscollections from the Central Valley are within this insect’s native range. However, the insect collections of the other species, L. zonatus, consisted of two genetically divergent types, or strains. One L. zonatus strain was widespread, and occurred through the Central Valley from Chico to Bakersfield, and the second genetic type occurred in the central and southern San Joaquin Valley. Work to geographically map out where the two genetic types of L. zonatus occur is ongoing.
The presence of two strains of L. zonatus is important for insect pest management. It is highly likely that each insect strain is susceptible to different parasitoids, predators and pathogens. Two insect strains can also vary in their response to insecticides, as well as their attraction to pheromone lures.
Currently, pheromone attractants are being developed for this LFB. It is vital to determine if the same pheromone blend will equally attract the two strains of L. zonatus. Dr. Joyce and colleagues will continue research on the two strains of L. zonatus this year, comparing their biological parameters, examining whether the two strains are cross attracted in lab bioassays, and if they cross mate in the field. The hope is that any pheromones and attractants developed for L. zonatus can be used to manage both strains of this species. A monitoring tool such as a pheromone trap for these insects would be particularly useful in a grower’s IPM toolbox.
Growers can support researchers in determining the distribution of the two strains by collecting any LFBs they identify or notifying Dr. Joyce when large numbers of LFBs are observed. Growers may email Dr. Andrea Joyce if they sight LFBs or have questions about this pest at ajoyce2@ucmerced.edu.
Note: Additional Almond Board-funded research is being conducted by Dr. Jocelyn Millar to identify pheromones and related attractants for the two major LFB pests in California nut crops. These tools could potentially be utilized for monitoring or control of these species.
The Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors election for the 2021-2022 crop year has begun.
There are two independent grower member positions and two independent grower alternate positions available on the ABC Board of Directors. To be considered for these positions, each candidate must be a grower and must submit a petition signed by at least 15 independent almond growers (verified by ABC). The petition should state the position for which the candidate is being nominated and be filed with Almond Board of California at 1150 9thStreet, Suite 1500, Modesto, California 95354. The filing deadline is April 1, 2021.
Additionally, two independent handler member positions and two independent handler alternate positions are available. Handlers must declare their candidacy, in writing, to ABC no later than April 1, 2021 to be considered for these positions.
A cooperative grower member and alternate nominee will be selected through their cooperative association.
The Almond Board was established in 1950 to administer the Federal Marketing Order for almonds. ABC assures industry compliance with marketing order regulations and is responsible for administering all aspects of the marketing order. It also serves the almond industry in other major areas, including production research, global advertising and public relations, and accumulation, compilation and dissemination of statistical information.
The ABC encourages eligible women, minorities, and people with disabilities to consider running for a position on the Board of Directors as it believes this committee should reflect the diversity of the industry it serves.
For further information, call Bunnie Ibrahim, senior analyst in Government Affairs, at (209) 343-3228.
Almond Board of California — Starting February 9, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (District) is offering $12.5M total in state and federal funding to Central Valley nut growers through its Low-Dust Nut Harvester Replacement Program. This program aims to improve air quality in the valley by helping growers fund the purchase of harvesting equipment that achieves at least a 40% reduction in particulate matter (PM) emissions or, simply put, harvest dust.
This program comes roughly three years after the District allocated $2M toward a Low-Dust Nut Harvester Pilot Program, supported by the Almond Board, which allowed for the replacement of 29 older, conventional nut harvesters with new, low-dust harvesters throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Through that program, growers and custom harvesters had the opportunity to provide feedback on the performance of low-dust equipment, feedback that the District said, “has been overwhelmingly positive” and accordingly “interest in the program significantly exceeded available funding.”
Based on feedback and growing demand for low-dust equipment, the District secured funding to launch the new Low-Dust Nut Harvester Replacement Program, which provides funding to growers via two separate categories:
The District received $10M from the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Targeted Air Shed Grant. These funds may be allocated to nut growers within the entire District basin, which covers seven counties from San Joaquin to Kern.
Additionally, the District received $2.5M in funding through the state’s Community Emission Reduction Program for the deployment of low-dust nut harvesting equipment operating within the community of Shafter. This means there is $2.5M allocated specifically for nut growers operating within a seven-mile radius of Shafter, as defined by California Assembly Bill 617.1
“The California almond industry is driven by family farmers, many who have a vested interest in improving air quality during harvest as they themselves live, work and raise their families in these local communities,” said Jesse Roseman, principal analyst in Environmental and Regulatory Affairs at the Almond Board of California (ABC).
“This program allows the industry to continue moving the needle toward a future with reduced harvest dust and improved air quality, an objective outlined in the industry’s Almond Orchard 2025 Goals. These goals not only encourage innovation to improve industry practices and ensure profitability, but also to protect our communities and environment by continuing to grow almonds in better, safer, and healthier ways,” said Roseman.
The following guidelines detail how the District will allocate program funding between the two sources of capital:
Environmental Protection Agency (federal): $10M
Eligible Entities: Growers and customer harvesters in the San Joaquin Valley Air basin.
Eligible Equipment for Purchase:
Equipment, such as qualified pick-up machines, that achieve a minimum 40% PM2.5 reduction compared to standard equipment, as demonstrated by available peer-reviewed information and/or District-approved methodology
Funding available to replace a maximum of five machines
Maximum of $150,000 awarded per machine.
Funding Available:
Funds will cover up to 50% of the cost of eligible equipment.
Funding Allocation: Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, based on submittal of complete applications.
Old Equipment Disposition: Participants must agree to destroy or render existing old equipment permanently inoperable in accordance with established District criteria.
Community Emission Reduction Program – Shafter: $2.5M
Growers and custom harvesters within a seven-mile radius of Shafter are heavily encouraged to apply for equipment replacement funding as theDistrict will cover up to 75% of the cost to purchase each new piece of equipment, and there is no limit on the number of eligible pieces of equipment for which applicants may receive funds.
Eligible Entities: Growers and custom harvestersoperating within a seven-mile radius of Shafter, as defined by the Shafter AB 617 community boundary.
Eligible Equipment for Purchase:
Equipment, such as qualified pick-up machines, that achieve a minimum 40% PM2.5 reduction compared to standard equipment, as demonstrated by available peer-reviewed information and/or District-approved methodology.
There is NO LIMIT on the number of pieces of equipment for which an applicant may receive funding. In addition, there is NO maximum amount awarded for each individual piece of machinery.
Funding Available:
Funds will cover up to 75% of the cost of eligible equipment for those operating within a seven-mile radius of Shafter, as defined by the Shafter AB 617 community boundary.
Funding Allocation: Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, based on submittal of complete applications.
Old Equipment Disposition: Participants must agree to destroy or render existing old equipment permanently inoperable in accordance with established District criteria.
To note: Equipment eligible for purchase through the Low-Dust Harvester Pilot Program does qualify for funding through this new program. Off-ground harvesting equipment may also be eligible.
“This low-dust harvesting program provides a great example of research coming full circle for the California almond industry,” said Roseman. “For over 15 years, the Almond Board has explored opportunities to reduce harvest dust by funding research, producing harvest best management practices for growers and custom harvesters, and gaining a greater understanding of how the industry can contribute to the big picture of improving air quality in the Central Valley.
“In 2018, the Almond Board supported the District’s Low-Dust Harvester Pilot Program to further help growers and custom harvesters invest in low-dust equipment. Today, with millions of dollars available to the industry, ABC is thrilled to again support the District and the industry as we work together to improve air quality in the Central Valley while simultaneously advancing the use of low-dust harvesting equipment.”
Those interested in applying for this program should visit the District website for more information. The application will be posted to the website on February 9, so be sure to check the site frequently that day if you wish to submit your application early.
Growers and custom harvesters should direct all questions to the District’s Supervisor of Strategies & Incentives Aaron Tarango at aaron.tarango@valleyair.org or (559) 230-5873.
1 The community of Shafter was prioritized by the District and subsequently selected by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as one of two communities in the San Joaquin Valley to receive clean air resources newly available under California Assembly Bill 617, which requires CARB and air districts to develop and implement measures to improve air quality in disadvantaged communities. One measure identified and prioritized by the Shafter Community Steering Committee was to provide enhanced and dedicated incentive funding for low-dust harvesters operating within the Shafter AB 617 community boundary
Almond Board of California – Starting January 2021, the Almond Board of California (ABC) will provide a new opportunity for growers, PCAs and CCAs to gain timely operational insights that support in-orchard practices and help them meet seasonal challenges head on.
ABC’s Training Tuesdays will kick off on January 5 and continue throughout the crop year. During the webinars, ABC staff and industry experts will present the latest on industry-funded research, new programs available to assist growers, tools within the California Almond Sustainability Program and more. Attendees will walk away from each webinar with tangible, practical tips they can try in the orchard, use to improve a current practice, or run past their local farm advisor for more information and site-specific recommendations. Webinar attendees will also have an opportunity to ask the experts questions specific to their operation, and all webinars will be posted to the Almond Board of California’s YouTube Channel for easy reference about a week after they are hosted.
“With the first-ever virtual Almond Conference this year in addition to COVID-19 restrictions on in-person gatherings, we are implementing Training Tuesdays to provide growers and industry professionals with timely, practical information to ultimately increase their productivity and profitability,” said ABC’s Chief Scientific Officer Josette Lewis, Ph.D.
The webinars will be held on the first and third Tuesdays of every month and begin at 8 a.m. PT, lasting 1-1.5 hours. CEUs will also be offered for webinars eligible for CCA or DPR credits.
The first webinar will be held on January 5 and the topic is “Best Management Practices for Pesticide Use During Almond Bloom.” Visit Almonds.com/Events for more information and RSVP to receive DPR/CCA credits.
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