Sustainably Speaking

Word Spreading About Almond Sustainability

 

program workshop

More grower workshops are planned this year to continue to collect data that demonstrate the sustainability of California Almonds. Pictured at a Stockton sustainability workshop in December are (from left) Escalon grower Hans Weber, Dan Sonke, chief scientist, SureHarvest and Manteca growers Jerry Moyer and Ryan Winters.

The Almond Board of California (ABC) is spreading the word about the California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP) to marketers, regulators, researchers, growers and others with an interest in sustainable food production.

President and CEO Richard Waycott this year is including information about the program during global marketing visits with buyer audiences. Associate Director of Quality Assurance and Industry Services Tim Birmingham in January gave a presentation on the topic at the Peanut and Tree Nut Processors Association’s annual convention. And Gabriele Ludwig, associate director of environmental affairs, also mentioned the program to a Washington, D.C., public policy think tank during a recent presentation.

The ABC will continue to hold grower workshops throughout the state this year on the program’s irrigation, nutrient and pest management, energy and air quality modules.

Waycott noted that continued grower participation is critical to best illustrate and communicate sustainable almond farming practices that make practical and economic sense for almond growers.

“The more data we collect across a broad cross section of growers, the better we can state our case about the sustainable practices already in place in California Almond orchards, and the efforts of growers to use inputs and resources efficiently,” Waycott said.

Two California Almond Sustainability Program workshops will be conducted in March. The first is on March 10 from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Perko’s Café in Delano; the second is on March 17 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico. To register for either of these workshops, contact Debye Hunter at (209) 343-3230. For more information and details about these and other upcoming CASP workshops, e-mail sustainability@almondboard.com.

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