How We Grow

2021 May/June How We Grow

Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1369084

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 12 of 15

Strategic Partnerships Serve Industry Today, Support Industry's Tomorrow Over the years, the number of factors and to-dos that growers must consider to ensure their operation continues running smoothly has continued to increase. From water and nutrient management needs to pollination logistics to regulatory matters, the list can feel endless and exhausting. This reality paired with a constant drive to best serve the California almond community has led the Almond Board of California (ABC) to engage in several strategic partnerships that directly benefit the industry. While there are multiple entities with whom ABC partners, from nutrition research organizations to international agricultural services to federal, state and local bodies, this article focuses on some of ABC's partnerships with organizations who daily, actively engage with growers or allied industry members. These organizations, like the Almond Board, are passionate about California almonds and work hard to ensure the success of this industry and California agriculture, as a whole. University of California (UC) The University of California (UC) Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) and Cooperative Extension (CE) have served an essential role in production and environmental research since the almond industry started funding studies through ABC in 1970. UC ANR professors and scientists have world-class expertise across multiple touchpoints of agriculture and environmental sciences. To help deliver research from the lab to the orchard, ABC collaborates closely with the UCCE, particularly farm advisors in almond-growing regions, who bring outstanding capacity to applied research on farms and connect their personal experience working with growers to the research process. "From cutting edge breeding techniques to practical tools for pest management to ensuring almonds are a healthy and nutritious food, UC research and extension delivers countless value to our industry," said Almond Board Chief Scientific Officer Josette Lewis, Ph.D. "The strong relationship between the Almond Board and the University of California has been an absolute boon for the California almond industry. Practical research conducted by UC and funded by ABC on all aspects of almond production, including preplant site preparation, irrigation, fertility, tree physiology, rootstocks, varieties and pest management, have made California the world's leader in almond production," said Roger Duncan, orchard crops advisor for the UC Cooperative Extension in Stanislaus County. California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) Pest Control Advisers (PCAs) are trusted, reliable members of the industry who play a vital role in supporting growers seeking to produce almonds in safer and more efficient ways. To further support PCAs, ABC and CAPCA – which serves more than 75% of the nearly 4,000 EPA licensed PCAs in California – have joined forces to ensure advisers have the latest research and information they need to make optimal in-orchard recommendations and be successful in consulting almond growers. "We appreciate working with the Almond Board to bring great educational opportunities to our members and stakeholders. This timely collaboration facilitates a space for PCAs to actively engage in the continuous improvements of the California almond industry," said Ruthann Anderson, CAPCA president and CEO. ALMOND COMMUNITY The UC system is an integral part of the California almond community. Shown here is Lewis (middle) speaking with Dr. Andreas Westphal (left), expert in nematology at the UC ANR Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension Center, and Dr. Ted De Jong, UC Davis distinguished professor and CE specialist. In 2021, ABC will provide growers and PCAs working in the almond industry the opportunity to attend online courses to earn two hours of Continuing Education Units for free. Visit Almonds.com/PCATools to learn more. Continue on page 13 Almond Board of California 12

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of How We Grow - 2021 May/June How We Grow