California Almonds have changed significantly over the years. Growing practices have advanced, acreage has expanded and yields have improved, all helping to secure almonds as the largest U.S. specialty crop export. To continue propelling the industry forward, Almond Board of California (ABC) is funding research to foster innovation in the orchard.
At the 2017 Almond Conference, the Almond Board unveiled an investment of $4.8 million in 64 independent, third-party research projects exploring next-generation farming practices and released Growing Good, the first annual almond sustainability publication.
Growing Good highlights the industry’s evolving farming and processing best practices and will be updated to include new findings based on continued research.
Research programs funded in part by the Almond Board provide a scientific basis for best practices across several priority areas. Three areas that will be central to the farm of the future include water sustainability, protection of honey bees and new uses of almond hulls, shells and woody materials in an effort to use everything produced in the orchard.
Water Sustainability
Richard Waycott, president and CEO, ABC,
envisions farm of the future at The Almond
Conference
Since 1982, California Almond growers have committed $6.7 million to 201 different water research projects spanning irrigation efficiency,
groundwater recharge and water quality. Through production improvements and adoption of water-efficient technologies, this investment has helped almond growers reduce the amount of water needed to grow a pound of almonds by 33% over the past 20 years.1 Of this year’s projects, 14 focus on water with an investment of $1.2 million.
Honey Bee Health
Since honey bee health was made a strategic research priority of the Almond Board in 1995, the California Almond community has committed $2.6 million dollars in support of 113 projects that address the five major factors impacting honey bee health. Research has also supported the development of orchard practices designed to keep bees safe during almond pollination. California Almond growers added to that investment this year with six research projects totaling nearly $300,000, funding more honey bee health research than any other crop group.2
Coproduct Innovation
Growing almonds produces more than the nut, and the California Almond community has ensured that almond coproducts like shells, hulls and trees are put to beneficial use through investment in 58 research projects since 1977, totaling $1.6 million. Nine studies have been funded this year with a commitment of $540,000 to determine how almond coproducts may address needs across food, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, automotive and more.
“Almond Board of California, in collaboration with our industry partners, is working every day to bring profitable, innovative solutions for coproducts back to growers and processors,” said Rory Crowley, a Chico almond grower and research collaborator. “Having a robust economic outlook while remaining committed to environmental sustainability is not mutually exclusive, which is why I’m excited to be a part of this effort.”
Each research project demonstrates the commitment to helping the California Almond community grow the farm of the future.
“We are family farmers. For the most part, we live on our farms or very close by to them, raise our kids here and want them to inherit our farms and
our companies,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO, ABC. “When we think about improving our industry across the myriad areas of opportunity, it also involves wanting to make a better environment for our children and grandchildren. Research investment plays a huge role in this future.”
Over more than 40 years, the California Almond community has invested nearly $70 million to build a foundation of research on improving
how almonds are grown, processed and consumed. For more information about the research conducted to improve the industry, visit AlmondSustainability.org and the Research Database at Almonds.com/ResearchDatabase.
1University of California. UC Drought Management. Feb. 2010. Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 66 – Crop yield in response to water. 2012. Almond Board of California. Almond Almanac 1990-94, 2000-14.
2Gene Brandi. Vice President, American Beekeeping Federation.
