OF NOTE

APRIL SHOWERS BRING...A BALLOT FROM THE USDA

The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Key program areas for the Board include industry information and statistics, nutrition research, global marketing, food safety, environmental stewardship and production research.

Every five years, the USDA petitions California almond growers with regards to the continuation of this federal marketing order program. You can expect to receive a ballot from the USDA by April 6. Completed ballots need to be returned to the USDA by April 24.

 

ALMOND NUTRITION AWARENESS ON THE RISE IN KOREA

A recent consumer survey conducted in South Korea revealed that Koreans are more conscious of almond nutrition benefits compared to a previous study conducted in 2004. The majority of respondents, 56%, recognized positive nutrition benefits as a key attribute of almonds, a jump from the 32% in 2004. Furthermore, 37.6% rated almonds as healthy, as opposed to 21% in 2004. The second major reason listed for purchasing almonds was that they are a nutritious food.

 

ABC SUPPORTS RESEARCH INITIATIVE

Strong research, development and extension programs are critical for California agriculture to remain competitive in global markets and sustainable and environmentally responsible at home. ABC staff is working in leadership roles to help assure applied research and extension will continue to serve the industry in the future. This is evidenced by a recent article in the UC Ag and Natural Resources publication California Agriculture, co-authored by ABC's Bob Curtis, which provides details regarding the need for sustained public investment in agricultural research.

 

HELP WITH VOC EMISSIONS

ABC is participating with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, USDA-NRCS and UC Extension on a collaborative project to educate PCAs and growers on pest control options that reduce VOC emissions from pesticides used in nut and tree fruit orchards in the San Joaquin Valley.

The project, funded by a grant from U.S. EPA, will focus on developing a VOC calculator, and outreach and education on VOC emissions. The project will also focus on techniques to reduce water contamination.