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Bob Curtis Retired Director of Agricultural Affairs Almond Board of California Curtis is proficient in modern on-farm procedures and programs — he helped develop many of them. Collaborating closely with university and governmental agriculture researchers, and growers in the field, Curtis helped to determine and define responsible production practices that remain strong and relevant today. His agricultural experience stretches back to his childhood when he spent days on his grandfather's walnut and apricot farm in the Santa Clara Valley. Curtis' pioneering work began when he was still in college, studying zoology and entomology. He became the first graduate student funded by ABC to conduct production research in the orchard, and after earning his master's degree, Curtis joined the Almond Board on a full-time basis to manage its production research program. "Navel orangeworm was a serious problem at the time, so it was a major focus of my work," Curtis said. Curtis, with Almond Board-funded researchers, developed a robust These challenges aren't solved overnight, but throughout the course of his career Bob Curtis successfully confronted each one to help improve growing conditions for almond industry members and address environmentally friendly almond production. Curtis retired from his job as director of Agricultural Affairs for the Almond Board of California (ABC) this July. However, growers will continue to benefit from his work — from his leading, groundbreaking research to his service as a spokesman for the industry. integrated pest management (IPM) program for navel orangeworm (NOW), including a foundation of orchard sanitation to protect almonds. This IPM program involves removing and destroying NOW's overwintering hiding places — mummy nuts — from orchards. Grower adoption of IPM and winter sanitation practices has significantly reduced the level of NOW infestations in California almond orchards, from 8.8% in 1978 to around 1% today. Since this program's development, government agencies, including the California Department of Pesticide Regulation IPM Innovator Program and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have awarded and recognized the Almond Board for this IPM program that Curtis helped design. Another pillar of Curtis' career at ABC is his work in promoting honey bee health in the orchard. Partnering with key groups such as beekeeper associations, the University of California Cooperative Extension, and organizations like Project Apis m. Curtis Leaves ABC with a Legacy of Groundbreaking Achievements Navel orangeworm (NOW). Bee colony health. Drought and water shortages. 12 ALMOND COMMUNITY