How We Grow

2019 July/Aug How We Grow

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17 MOVERS AND SHAKERS Falastine Munoz 2019 Almond Leadership participant Falastine Munoz recently published a children's book, "Almonds – Shake, Sweep & Eat." The story walks readers through almond production and processing, from bloom time to the final stages of packaging. It's also a true story: Munoz wrote this book, in part, because her children didn't know much about the industry or her work at Grizzly Nut LLC in Waterford. The book is available for purchase on Amazon — over 400 books sold, so far — and Munoz has been holding book readings at local schools, including Cunningham Elementary, Gratton Elementary and Whitmore Charter. Berton Steir The International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) presented Berton Steir with the Individual Golden Nut Award at this year's INC Congress in Boca Raton. Steir, who has spent nearly 40 years in the nut and citrus industries, is vice president of Corporate Development at The Wonderful Company and was a founder of the original Paramount nut group. He also served on the California-based INC Nutrition Research and Education Foundation for many years. The Individual Golden Nut Award is presented annually to someone who for many years has made a significant contribution to their industry. (Source: nutfruitcongress.org) Looking to recommend a "Mover and Shaker" for a future issue? Email Ashley Knoblauch (aknoblauch@almondboard.com) with the person's name and a paragraph explaining why you believe they deserve recognition. Jenny Holtermann The American Farm Bureau Federation recently selected Jenny Holtermann to participate in the 10th Partners in Advocacy Leadership (PAL) class. Holtermann, a fourth-generation almond grower from Kern County, is a member of ABC's Global Communications committee and also manages an ag and lifestyle blog called "Almond Girl Jenny." During the two-year PAL program, participants receive hands-on experience in legislative policymaking, media relations and issues management. Holtermann told AgNet West, "I am very honored to have been chosen to represent California and help strengthen my advocacy efforts." (Source: AgNet West) Therefore, the Almond Board's big- picture approach to NOW control involves a collaborative effort with other nut industries, such as the American Pistachio Growers Association, the Pistachio Research Committee, the Western Agricultural Processors Association and the Almond Alliance of California. "Together, the California almond industry and other crops will test the viability of the sterile insect technique to determine how this control method will work across the various commodities," Lewis said. The Almond Board hosted a NOW Summit in Modesto on June 18 to update the almond industry and other tree nut crops on ABC's current NOW research, what problems remain and what potential solutions lie on the horizon, including SIT. UCCE farm advisors, almond growers, PCAs and leaders in the almond, walnut and pistachio industries participated in the event, which drew more than 150 attendees. In terms of next steps for the almond industry's SIT research, this project will conclude at the end of August 2019, with results to follow. ABC will review the data from the current season of research and consider if — and how — to continue evaluating the use of sterile insect technology for NOW. Be sure to check out future issues of How We Grow as well as In The Orchard, ABC's weekly email newsletter, for updates on the results of this year's SIT research. "Since 1973, we've funded $3.3 million in navel orangeworm research — that's nearly half a century of scientific findings focused on one pest and its impacts." – Richard Waycott

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