How We Grow

2021 Sept/Oct How We Grow

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their almond productions meet long-term productivity and sustainability goals. Although gaps in our knowledge still exist around what management strategies are most effective for building healthy soils, this research allowed us to better understand what innovative and feasible strategies almond growers are already implementing to incorporate soil health into their management. The researchers hope to continue their work to capture growers' current soil health building strategies, better define healthy orchard soil and encourage growers to continue experimenting to learn what strategies work best for their productions. MORE INFORMATION The full findings from the soil health research project will be available this upcoming year including academic articles, outreach materials and factsheets for building soil health in almond orchards. Growers interested in learning more about living roots and the steps to incorporating cover crops, specifically, in their orchards are encouraged to read the "Cover Crop Best Management Practices" guide developed by the Almond Board of California and University of California available now on Almonds.com/CoverCrops. Finally, if growers are interested in learning more about WOR, they can read the "Whole Orchard Recycling Guide for California Almond Growers" and find more information at Almonds.com/ WOR MOVERS AND SHAKERS California Department of Pesticides 2020 IPM Achievement Awards Michael Baefsky For his career-long dedication to IPM advocacy and education, Michael Baefsky is being honored with the first DPR Lifetime IPM Achievement Award. Through his landscaping consulting firm, Trees, Bugs, Dirt, Mr. Baefsky provides professional IPM consulting with an emphasis on developing site-specific IPM plans for public and private entities. Throughout his career, he has held advisory positions in the Bay Area in which he helped develop many IPM publications. Mr. Baefsky recently worked with the San Francisco Department of the Environment to co-author Pest Prevention by Design – Landscapes, an interactive IPM model that focuses on designing landscapes to prevent pest invasions. Michael Baefsky's ongoing dedication to IPM implementation through professional, advisory and teaching endeavors has enriched and will continue to benefit the people and environment of California. Phytophthoras in Native Habitats Work Group The Phytophthoras in Native Habitats Work Group formed in 2015 to minimize the spread of Phytophthora pathogens in restoration sites and native plant nurseries. Phytophthora pathogens are devastating to plants in habitat restoration areas and forest settings. This Work Group has completed five years of research on the Phytophthoras pathogen and used this research to create comprehensive, best management practices for managing Phytophthoras in nursery settings. Their adaptive IPM practices aim to halt the pathogen's spread in nurseries and natural areas. Through extensive research and effective outreach efforts to share their resources, the Phytophthoras in Native Habitats Work Group has made commendable progress and long-lasting impacts in minimizing the spread of Phytophthoras. Spray Application Pest Management Alliance Team Through extensive training and outreach efforts, the Spray Application Pest Management Alliance Team aims to minimize the incidence of agricultural pesticide drift and reduce the risk of pesticide illness. The Team developed an Air Blast Sprayer Calibration training program to increase pesticide applicators' adoption of best practices when using air blast sprayers. The in-person training program was adapted into an interactive online course that offers practical experience in key training topics. The highly effective training and extensive outreach completed by the Spray Application Pest Management Alliance Team has delivered benefits well beyond the intended audience. Growers may be familiar with several people on the alliance including UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Franz Niederholzer, Former-Area IPM Advisor Emily Symmes and UC Davis Professor Ken Giles. Almond Board of California 20

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