California Ag Network

Category: Nut Industry

  • Honey Bee Colonies Down 7 Percent for Operations with Five or More Colonies

    Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in the United States on January 1, 2023 totaled 2.68 million colonies, down 7 percent from January 1, 2022, according to a recent USDA survey. The number of colonies in the United States on April 1, 2023, was 2.71 million colonies. During 2022, honey bee colonies on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 were 2.88 million, 2.91 million, 3.11 million, and 2.89 million colonies, respectively.

    Honey bee colonies lost for operations with five or more colonies from January through March 2023, was 373,880 colonies, or 14 percent. The number of colonies lost during the quarter of April through June 2023, was 237,350 colonies, or 9 percent. During the quarter of April through June 2022, colonies lost totaled 363,570 colonies, or 13 percent, the highest number lost of any quarter surveyed in 2022. The quarter surveyed in 2022 with the lowest number of colonies lost was January through March, with 331,480 colonies lost, or 12 percent.

    Honey bee colonies added for operations with five or more colonies from January through March 2023 was 384,790 colonies. The number of colonies added during the quarter of April through June 2023 was 596,360. During the quarter of April through June 2022, the number of colonies added were 573,160 colonies, the highest number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter surveyed in 2022. The quarter of July through September 2022 added 152,640 colonies, the least number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter surveyed in 2022.

    Honey bee colonies renovated for operations with five or more colonies from January through March 2023 was 113,440 colonies, or 4 percent. During the quarter of April through June 2023, the number of colonies renovated were 478,440 colonies, or 18 percent. The quarter surveyed in 2022 with the highest number of colonies renovated was April through June 2022 with 494,890 colonies renovated, or 17 percent. The quarter surveyed in 2022 with the lowest number of colonies renovated was October through December 2022, with 147,950, or 5 percent. Renovated colonies are those that were requeened or received new honey bees through a nucleus (nuc) colony or package.

    Varroa Mites Top Colony Stressor for Operations with Five or More colonies:

    Varroa mites were the number one stressor for operations with five or more colonies during all quarters surveyed in 2022. The period with the highest percentage of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites was April through June 2022 at 47.5 percent. The percent of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites during January through March 2023 and April through June 2023 are 39.7 percent and 50.9 percent, respectively. — By the USDA National Ag Statistics Service

  • Bob Schramm Retires, APG Selects New Federal Advocacy Firm

    Back at the annual American Pistachio Growers (APG) Conference, longtime federal advocate for the association — Bob Schramm was paid special tribute for his dedicated service to the U.S. pistachio industry.  Schramm is now transitioning into retirement, and he has worked with APG in selecting a new firm to take his place in representing and protecting the interests of the pistachio industry at the federal level. Watch this video to learn more, and be sure to keep up with the activities of APG in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • LandFlex Program Awards $16 Million in Farmer Contracts, Providing Immediate Well Protection for 34,000 Homes

    The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced the successful conclusion of LandFlex Phase 2, providing $16,775,162 in grants to support grower contracts within various Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) for the protection of rural at-risk water systems and advancements in groundwater sustainability.

    The awarded funds will be allocated to three GSAs as follows:

    Lower Tule Irrigation District GSA: Grant award in the amount of $7.7 million
    Pixley Irrigation District GSA: Grant award in the amount of $ 5 million
    Westlands Water District GSA: Grant award in the amount of $4 million
    “At the heart of LandFlex‘s success is its proven effectiveness in addressing critical water resource challenges,” said Anja Raudabaugh, Chief Executive Officer of Western United Dairies. “Initially designed to combat drought conditions, the program has demonstrated remarkable versatility by also proving its mettle in flood protection and identifying active recharge potential. This adaptability has positioned LandFlex as an innovative and indispensable tool for growers to meet sustainability goals in both dry and wet periods.”

    One of the program’s key achievements is the immediate protection it provides to drinking water wells serving 34,259 households in underserved communities. By swiftly reducing water demand, LandFlex alleviates pressure on these communities and overburdened water systems while simultaneously supporting the sustainability of both the communities and the agricultural industry.

    Moreover, LandFlex plays a pivotal role in accelerating compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Growers who participate in the program can plan ahead and explore innovative farming methods that align with long-term sustainability goals, ensuring the resilience of water systems and critical water infrastructure.

    “LandFlex owes its success to the voluntary participation of growers who are committed to supporting their communities and farming for the future,” said Aubrey Bettencourt, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Almond Alliance. “The program was oversubscribed, and their active involvement showcases their determination to find immediate solutions rather than waiting until 2040 to achieve sustainability goals. By participating in LandFlex, these growers contribute significantly to the well-being of underserved communities and the long-term resilience of at-risk water systems while investing in new farming practices to ensure California agriculture is leading and vibrant for the 21st century.”

    The LandFlex program stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between growers, government entities, and local communities. By focusing on the protection of water resources and underserved communities, LandFlexexemplifies the importance of finding innovative, practical, and actionable solutions to address pressing water challenges.

    For more information about LandFlex, please visit landflex.org.

    About the Almond Alliance
    Almond Alliance is the leading authority in state and national policy, championing American almond farmers, industry, and community for the continued global growth, innovation, and success of American almonds and agriculture. Established in 1980, the Almond Alliance is a non-profit trade association with a local and international network of almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers, and allied businesses. The Alliance is dedicated to providing resources and solutions for our members, ensuring industry success and growth opportunities. Learn more at almondalliance.org.

  • World Boxing Champion Jose Ramirez to be Featured at American Pistachio Growers Luncheon

    American Pistachio Growers (APG) Annual Membership luncheon is coming up on Friday, July 28th at the Visalia Convention Center.  In addition to pistachio crop and marketing updates, APG is excited to have world boxing champion and Central Valley native Jose Ramirez joining the growers for the program.  Watch this video featuring Wes Wilson from APG to learn more, and register to attend HERE.  Pacific Nut Producer Magazine is proud to partner with APG for this special event, so be sure to see us there.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • Almond Board of California Directors Announce Clarice Turner as Next CEO

    The Almond Board of California Board of Directors selected Clarice Turner, an experienced global leader in consumer goods, food service and wine and spirits, as the next president and CEO.

    Turner is joining the Almond Board of California (ABC) after most recently serving as president of iconic Napa Valley winery Joseph Phelps Vineyards. She has also held CEO and senior executive positions at Boudin Bakery, Starbucks Coffee Company, YUM! Brands, Papa Murphy’s International and PepsiCo.

    The ABC Board is excited to welcome Clarice to the California almond industry,” said board chair Alexi Rodriguez. “A tremendous amount of thought and effort went into the search process and we couldn’t be more pleased with the result. Clarice brings extensive knowledge and experience that we believe will be a great benefit to the organization and the industry.

    Turner is a ninth generation Californian and has a long history of serving on corporate and non-profit boards including the Culinary Institute of America, Delicato Family Wines, the National Restaurant Association, Washington State University School of Business and San Francisco State University Lam School of Business.

    Along with her former global executive positions, Turner was also an international business major at Fudan University in China and understands the role different nationalities play in trade, business and culture.

    “I am honored to lead the Almond Board of California,” Turner said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to combine my California heritage, roots in generational farming and executive experience to build on the strong foundation established in 1950. I look forward to working collaboratively with the staff, board, growers, handlers and industry stakeholders in the coming years.

    Rodriguez said that in September, Turner will begin working closely with the board, current President and CEO Richard Waycott and the ABC executive team to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months.

    “We are thankful for Richard, not just for his commitment to the industry over the last 21 years, but also for his support during this transition period to make certain Clarice and the organization are set up for success moving forward,” Rodriguez said.

    Waycott informed the board of directors in November 2022 that he planned to step away from his ABC responsibilities at the end of 2023 to pursue other interests.

    About the Almond Board of California

    California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. The Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was established in 1950 and is based in Modesto, CA. For more about the Almond Board or California almonds, visit Almonds.com.

  • USDA Final Forecast Projects Slightly Larger 2023 Almond Crop

    The 2023 California Almond Objective Measurement Report published Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2023 will come in at 2.6 billion meat pounds, 1% percent above last year’s 2.57 billion pounds.

    The estimate is up 4 percent from USDA-NASS’s Subjective Forecast in May and comes after one of the wettest winters on record, limited bee flights because of rain and wind, and a cool spring. USDA’s Forecasted yield is 1,880 pounds per acre, down 20 pounds from 2022 and the lowest since 2009.

    The slight increase comes partly because of larger nut size and despite difficult conditions, USDA-NASS said. “Record level rainfall and unprecedented stormy conditions hindered bee pollination activity in orchards across the state. Cooler than normal temperatures continued through early summer and delayed the maturity of the crop,” the report said.

    “Almond farmers have faced a series of challenges in recent years, and this wet, cool winter and spring created different obstacles after three years of drought. Yet the forecast for a larger crop shows the resiliency of California almond orchards,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California (ABC). “Almond farmers have worked hard while dealing with higher production and financing costs and a bloom with highly compromised bee flight hours. They are very thankful, however, for the abundant rain and snow which vastly improved the water situation, at least for now, and for shipping logistics that continue to improve. The perseverance of California’s almond farmers is admirable as is their commitment to meet future growth in global demand with high quality California almonds.”

    The forecast for the average nut set per tree is 3,953, 3 percent down from 2022. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,004 is 1 percent more than last year. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.67 grams, up 14% percent from the 2022 average weight. The Nonpareil average kernel weight was 1.69 grams, up 9 percent over from last year.

    The 2023 Objective Report is based on actual almond counts using a statistically rigorous methodology. The survey was conducted from May 26 to July 3 and 1,824 trees were sampled in 912 orchards, 32 more orchards than in 2022. USDA-NASS conducts the annual Subjective Forecast, Objective Report and Acreage Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions. — By the Almond Board of California

  • Midseason Pistachio Crop Forecast and Shipment Update

    As U.S. Pistachio growers anticipate a larger crop this season, watch this brief interview with Richard Matoian from American Pistachio Growers on just how large a crop may come to fruition this season, as well as some great news on the rise in pistachio export shipping trends.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. (Editor’s Note: We are pleased to announce an additional news anchor, Joseph Malcolm, debuted in this video report)

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • Legendary Civic Leader, Philanthropist & Almond Grower Donnie Joe Huffman Passes

    Donnie Joe Huffman of Vacaville,  a legendary volunteer and civic leader,  champion of agriculture, and a dedicated philanthropist, passed away peacefully at his home on June 17, 2023, surrounded by family. He was 83, but as a Leap Year baby–born Feb. 29, 1940 in Thayer, Mo.– he was 20.

    A former governor of the Kiwanis Club, District 8, Donnie served as president of the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce and chaired both the Vacaville Fiesta Days Committee and the Vacaville Onion Festival. He founded and directed the Friends of the Solano County Fair, and the Friends of the Dixon May Fair, leading the two organizations to provide more than $270,000 in college scholarships for Solano County residents majoring in agriculture.

    Donnie was the second of five children born to James Elmer “Pete” and Minnie Swope Huffman. In 1942, his parents, grandfather James Thomas Swope, and his siblings Gertie and Virginia, left Thayer, Mo.,  in a flatbed truck to relocate to Solano County.  During the 2,000-mile trip, Donnie and Gertie sat cushioned between boxes in the truck bed, while the baby, Virginia, rode in front with the adults.  Two more children, Bobby and Sharon, would be born in California.

    Donnie remembers that their first home, in Cordelia,  was a “one-bedroom home with dirt floors.” The Huffmans worked at the Monez, Oberti, and Lanza family ranches in Suisun Valley.

    Donnie attended Armijo High School, Fairfield, and as a teenager growing up in the 1950s, enjoyed dancing, cruising and hot-rodding at M&M Skateway in Suisun, Sid’s Drive-In in  Fairfield, and Dream Bowl in Napa.

    He was known as a diligent, industrious and “get-er-done” worker throughout his life. As a youngster, he shined shoes in downtown Fairfield, and labored in fruit orchards in Suisun Valley, giving half his wages to his then single mother. As a teenager, he worked at service stations owned by Rudy Ramirez and Joe Danboise, at Hyde’s Department Store, and at Hannigan Soda and Donut Shop, Fairfield.

    Donnie began his automotive career in 1958 at Digerud Auto Parts in Fairfield and then Ghilotti Brothers in San Rafael before managing Digerud Auto Parts, 349 Merchant St., Vacaville, from 1965-1968.

    Donnie married his sweetheart, Claudia “Tootie”  Bergmann in 1960. They raised two children, Shelli and Don Jr. The couple celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on April 16.

    Donnie and Tootie purchased Digerud Auto Parts of Vacaville in 1968, renaming it Don’s Auto Parts. In 1972, they relocated the business to 749 Mason St, Vacaville, operating it until 1995. His employees fondly nicknamed him “The Whip.”

    A genial leader, tireless volunteer and dedicated philanthropist, Donnie founded the Friends of the Solano County Fair in 1993, serving as its president until 2006; and founded the Friends of the Dixon May Fair in 2000, serving as its president until March 2023.   Donnie and Tootie spearheaded a college scholarship program at each of the fairs. Since 2000, the Friends of the Dixon May Fair alone has awarded a total of $248,750 to Solano County residents majoring in agriculture. In tribute to their work, the program was renamed the Donnie and Tootie Huffman Scholarship Program in 2022, and a $5000 scholarship to the top applicant bears his name.

    With Donnie at the helm of the Friends of the Dixon May Fair, the service-oriented and fund-raising arm of the fair, the Friends raised thousands of dollars serving beverages to fair attendees. The Friends donated the funds for college scholarships, buckles to award-winning exhibitors, and funded building and grounds improvements. Among the projects, valued in the millions: paving the midway and building the RV park, the Pig Pavilion, the Wine Pavilion, and the Friends’ Plaza.

    Donnie was a lifetime member of the Vacaville Museum (a bench in the courtyard memorializes the Huffmans’ 50th wedding anniversary). He was active in Vacaville Lodge 134 Masonic Temple, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 83, as well as the 20-30 Club, Western Fairs Association, California Fairs Financing Authority, and the North Bay Stand Down

    An agriculturist with 50 leased acres of almonds, Donnie was active in the Solano County Farm Bureau. He was a longtime swine leader for the Town and Countryt 4-H Club and emcee of the wildly popular Dixon May Fair Hogcalling Contest, urging the hogs to go “hamward bound” and the callers “to bring home the bacon.”

    Like Will Rogers, who said “A stranger is just a friend I haven’t met yet,”  Donnie was known as “generous to a fault” and “someone who never tooted his own horn—he just got it done.” He enjoyed good times, laughter, traveling, crabbing, fishing, gardening, NASCAR races, and classic cars. His favorites included a ’52 Oldsmobile convertible and a ’56 Chevy.

    Surrounded by the love of his family and friends, he considered himself “the luckiest man in the world.”

    Donnie liked to joke about being a Leap Year baby. “I was three years old when I began working for Rudy Ramirez; 5 years old I when joined the Digerud Auto Parts and got hitched; 7 when I bought Digerud Auto Parts; 10 when I became a grandpa;18 when I became a great grandpa; and at 20 (in 2022), I’m almost of drinking age.”

    Donnie is survived by wife Claudia “Tootie” Huffman of Vacaville; daughter Shelli Huffman Vasquez (John) of Vacaville; son Don Huffman (Jennifer) of Napa; and sister Sharon Hulse of Fairfield. He is also survived by seven grandchildren:  John Michael Vasquez (Pamela), Mary Vasquez (Rene Pimentel), Jacqueline “Kristy” Vasquez (Sean Fuller), Sarah Lincoln (Kevin), Annabelle Rosenthal (Sam), Allie Huffman and Ava Huffman; and seven great-grandchildren Ciana Vasquez Pimentel, Alejandro Vasquez Pimentel, Hunter Lincoln, Dionicio Vasquez Pimentel, Kensley Lincoln, Amelia Vasquez Fuller, Penelope Vasquez, with an eighth (Baby Lincoln) on the way.

    Other family members include his brother-in-law Kenneth (Diane) Bergmann, sister-in- law Donna (Douglas) Moreau, brother-in-law Richard (Glynda) Bergmann, nieces and nephews; David (Renee) Palagi, Darien Bergmann, Karen Bergmann Purcell, Erin Stack, Sean Stack and Katy Bergmann, Erika Bergmann, great nieces and nephews; Megan Palagi, Chad Palagi, Amy Palagi and Amanda Purcell. Donnie also was a father figure and mentor to many, including David Bunge and Eric Baker.

    Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, James Elmer  Huffman and Minnie Swope Huffman Mulcahy; his sisters Virginia Sue Huffman and Gertie Palagi;  brother Bobby Huffman;  brother-in-law Ben Hulse;  nephew Frank Palagi; cousin P.J. Huffman;  mother-in-law Claudia Nelda Chaney, father-in-law Elmer Ralph Bergmann, and many aunts and uncles.

    In lieu of flowers, Donnie had asked that any memorial contributions be made to a favorite charity or to Friends of the Dixon May Fair, P.O. Box 6208, Vacaville, Calif. 95696.

    A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 18 in the Rockville Stone Chapel, Rockville Cemetery, 4219 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, with burial to follow.

    A celebration of life—commemorating what would have been his 21st birthday—is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 29 in Denverton Hall,  Dixon May Fair, 655 S. First St., Dixon.

  • Varroa Mites and Deformed Wing Virus Make Honeybees More Susceptible to Insecticides

    The first of two apiaries, established in 2014 in Stoneville, Mississippi, provided honey bees for studying the impact of pesticides on honey bees. (Photo by Yu-Cheng Zhu, D5121-1)

    Controlling for Varroa mites, the parasitic mites that feed on honey bees and serve as vectors for viral diseases like deformed wing virus (DWV), can help with improving honeybee populations and make bees less susceptible to harmful insecticides, according to a recent study published in Environmental Pollution.

    Foraging honey bees may be directly exposed to toxic insecticide sprays in the field or exposure may come from honeybees collecting and bringing pesticide-contaminated pollen and nectar back to their hives to feed larvae and young bees. The presence of insecticides, along with other environmental stressors in agricultural areas, can be a factor leading to issues like colony loss — something beekeepers from around the world are trying to overcome.

    “Previous research has shown how chemicals like pesticides make bees more susceptible to mites,” said Yu-Cheng Zhu, a research entomologist at ARS’s Pollinator Health in Southern Crop Ecosystems Research Unit in Stoneville, Mississippi. “In our study, we wanted to see if mites and viral infestations make bees more susceptible to insecticides.”

    In a study, researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) applied the miticide amitraz (Apivar), a product commonly used for treating Varroa mites, off-label to four bee hives and left the other four hives untreated. They monitored the mite population density monthly and DWV density in early, middle, and late season.

    Researchers collected bees from miticide-treated and untreated hives, and quantified gene expressions of four immune genes and two physiology-related genes. They also tested bees’ sensitivity to five representative insecticides. In addition, bees’ natural mortalities were recorded during three seasons.

    “Miticide treatment led to minor or undetectable mite and DWV infestations during the whole bee season, while untreated colonies had substantially higher mite and DWV infestations,” said Zhu.

    The data analyses showed that Varroa mite population irregularly fluctuated over the bee season and mite population density was not dynamically or closely correlated with the seasonal shift of honey bee natural mortality. Unlike mites, DWV density in untreated colonies progressively increased over the bee season. The density was highly correlated with the seasonal increase in honey bee natural mortality.

    “In the untreated hives, the increased DWV infestations resulted in decreased physiological and immunity-related functions in late-season honey bees, making the bees more susceptible to insecticides and increasing natural morality rates during the season,” said Zhu.

    According to Zhu, Varroa mites, also known as Varroa destructor, can reduce fat body and body fluids that contain important detoxification enzymes and immune proteins in honey bees. As a result, bees have impaired immune, detoxification/defense systems, and other essential processes. Coupling those impairments with exposure to insecticides can be detrimental to bee populations.

    “Having impaired immunity, especially later in the season with fewer food sources, can be challenging for honey bees,” said Zhu.

    Zhu, whose work focuses on the toxicological impact of pesticides on beneficial insects in the Mississippi Delta Area, said that the study’s results indicated the importance of studying the “bottom-up” effects of mite infestations on the overall health of honey bees in real-world contexts.

    “Chemical control is still a major method in preventing crop loss and controlling insect pest populations,” said Zhu. “It is important to study the effects of chemical control in honey bee populations so we can find best practices for protecting the health of bees.”

    The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in U.S. agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.

  • Almond Board Simplifies CASP Process for Growers

    A valuable industry assessment program has been streamlined to make it easier for almond growers to enter and update data. Changes to the CASP program – which now stands for the California Almond Stewardship Platform – were announced in December at The Almond Conference 2022 and came after feedback from some growers about the length of time it often took to fill out the online self-assessment.

    The CASP program was developed by the Almond Board of California over a decade ago as a method for almond growers to share and compare data about their orchards and farming practices. That aggregated information in the self-assessment, in turn, is often used by handlers and others who market California’s multibillion-dollar annual almond crop to educate and reassure consumers that growers are implementing critical practices in areas such as water usage, air quality, soil health, pollinators and carbon recapture.

    The original CASP online self-assessment process included 620 questions, which now have been cut in half after the update.

    “It was really time to restructure it a little bit and put it on a diet,” said Tom Devol, Senior Manager of Field Outreach and Education at the Almond Board of California. “It had gotten a bit heavy. It was taking growers a lot of time to do and was a big commitment.”

    Growers often spent five or six hours responding to the questions and sometimes had to enter the same information more than once. That is no longer the case, Devol said.

    “I just worked with a grower who completed it in an hour and a half, from start to finish,” he said. “Now, we’ve grouped questions, so when you set up an orchard, you never look at those questions again. You put the information in for that orchard – how it was planted, when it was planted, those kinds of questions – and when you reassess in two or three years … you never have to look at that again. Those questions are pre-done.

    “And we did the same thing with the farming operations. So the common practices that you use across the whole farming operation, you really only need to address those questions one time and then in future assessments, they’re already completed for you.”

    Devol said rationale behind CASP has evolved since it was created.

    “When CASP was first envisioned, it was predominantly an education tool,” he explained. “But over time, there’s been a lot more pressure from the market. ‘How are you growing your crops? Are you exhibiting good stewardship? Are you using current practices?’

    “The handlers are the ones facing those questions. The growers aren’t selling the crop directly to the buyer; it’s the handler who’s doing it on their behalf. … By completing your grower self-assessment, you’re assisting your handler in marketing your product.”

    Devol recommends that growers update their information at least every three years.

    “It’s really a continuous improvement program if you think about it. We’re really trying to see where we’ve learned new practices that we’re starting to adopt into the orchard,” he said. “Not many people change their practices every year, but over time, you’re going to pick up a new thing – we’re going to try this, we’re going to change the way we do that.

    “Handlers like to see that data done every year because they’re using the aggregate data to help demonstrate to their buyers what their group of growers are doing. So they have a different motivator.”

    Devol reassured growers that no individual orchard information ever is shared.

    “It’s aggregate data. It’s secure. Nobody can see your data,” he said. “These handlers just get an aggregate group of data about what their growers are doing.”

    Growers who have participated in the past and want to update their data, as well as others who want to enroll in the CASP program, should go to www.almondstewardship.org. On the website, growers can set up an account or ask to have their password sent to them, if they’ve forgotten it.

    Devol said he and the Field Outreach and Education team are available to answer any questions or provide help. They can be reached at fieldoutreach@almondboard.com.

    “We really want you to succeed,” Devol said. “We want it to be simple to use. We don’t want it to be painful for you.” — Article & Image Courtesy of the Almond Board of California