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| Environmental Stewardship |
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| Water Management in the Orchard |
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Sustainability
Today the concept of “sustainability” is being used to evaluate everything from restaurant menus to public policies to how companies demonstrate their performance to stockholders. Increasingly, the California Almond community is being asked questions about its sustainability.
The Almond Board of California worked with groups of almond farmers and other stakeholders to develop the following definition of sustainability:
"Sustainable almond farming utilizes production practices that are economically viable and are based upon scientific research, common sense and a respect for the environment, neighbors and employees. The result is a plentiful, healthy and safe food product. "
Sustainability ensures that California Almonds can be grown in a manner that provides an economic return to almond growers, protects the environment, and sustains the community. The historic sustainability of the California Almond growing community can be seen in the many 3rd, 4th and 5th generation California Almond farmers, as well as the millions of dollars invested by the Almond Board of California since 1972 in research on environmentally friendly production techniques.
In 2009 the Almond Board of California’s Environmental Committee invested in a “self-assessment” program for documenting the practices used by California Almond growers that are sustainable, economical, environmentally friendly, and present almond growers as good neighbors.
By participating in this process, growers and handlers will be equipped to respond to the increasing focus of major almond buyers and regulators on the issue of sustainability. In doing so, the Almond Board of California will be able to communicate sustainable almond farming in terms of practices that make practical and economic sense for our crop, geography, and community. Additionally, the results can guide education and outreach in the Almond community when the program identifies opportunities for additional improvement.
The first program module is being utilized in 2010. The module focuses on water and nutrient best management practices and asks growers questions concerning their current irrigation and fertilization practices as compared to a set of “best practices” identified by a committee of almond growers and other experts. All individual grower comments and responses are confidential.
Additional modules covering other subjects will be developed in 2010. It is hoped the growers will also find the process valuable for thinking about their resource use and how best practices might help them increase efficiency or reduce their economic risk.
In 2010, a series of workshops up and down the Central Valley are planned to allow growers to use the program. Click to sign up for upcoming news about the Almond Board’s Sustainability Program.
