Environmental Stewardship Campaign Sept. 1, 2004 - Aug.

31, 2005

Campaign Goal

Inform growers about ongoing environmental issues

Raise awareness among consumers, government regulators and elected officials of industry’s environmental stewardship

Showcase Almond Board research on environmental issues

Multi-Faceted Outreach

Web-based environmental issues database

Pro-active press releases on industry success stories

Newsletters focused on environmental stories

Issues of Concern

Air Quality

Water Quality

Crop Protection

Endangered Species Act

Year Two Activities

Press Release September 2004 announced the EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) had selected the Almond Board as a PESP Champion for the second consecutive year.

Activities

Newsletter published October 2004 focused on the phasing out of methyl bromide for use as a soil fumigant, its anticipated impact on almond growers, how the remaining supply of methyl bromide might be allocated to almond growers

Activities

In November 2004 a brochure was published explaining the Board’s Environmental Committee and its stewardship goals

Activities

The Seasonal Guide to Environmentally Responsible Pest Management Practices in Almonds was published in December 2004 summarizing practices demonstrated in a 5-year project funded with Pest Management Alliance grants from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR).

Activities

February 2005 Media Tour held at Hunter Ranch, Livingston. Reporters saw on-farm environmentally friendly practices that are addressing air and water quality concerns. Harvesting equipment reps displayed machines and explained how the industry is responding to the concerns over dust at harvest time

Activities

April 2005 Newsletter published on the growing role the Endangered Species Act plays in use of crop protection tools by growers. At least 20 pesticides used by almond growers might be impacted by lawsuit decisions.

Activities

Grower field days co-sponsored by the Board and UCCE were held Dec. 7 in Bakersfield, Jan. 6 in Chico, Jan. 26 in Modesto, May 4 in Bakersfield and June 6 in Chico. All these events featured sections on environmental stewardship, with emphasis on impacts of pesticide spraying

Activities

July 2005. Newsletter published on innovative harvest practices to reduce dust. AirWay Farms General Manager Fred Olmstead was featured discussing his company’s commitment to investing in environmentally friendly farming practices.

Activities

Aug. 2005. Worked in partnership with the Coalition for Urban/Rural Environmental Stewardship (CURES) to promote their Watershed Coalition newsletter which was published in August.

Activities

Oct. 2005. Newsletter published on Almond Board-funded research by Dr. Ken Giles and other researchers on measuring dust from harvest activities. Newsletter also featured almond growers participating in a PG&E and So Cal Edison rebate program for converting from diesel to electric pump engines.

Year Three Activities

Bloom-time Tour for Water and Air Regulators

Newsletter: Volatile Organic Compounds

Focus Groups: Definition of Sustainability for the Almond Industry

Breaker Slide