Interested in planting cover crops down your orchard rows, but tight on funding? Watch this brief interview with Doug Iten from Great Valley Seeds as he explains their recent collaboration with the Almond Alliance of California to provide grant funding for growers through the new Pollinator Alliance. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.
Pollinator Partnership (P2) announced today that it has certified over 
55,000 acres of almonds in 2020 as pollinator friendly and environmentally sustainable through its Bee Friendly Farming (BFF) Certified program. The Almond Board of California’s Bee+ Scholarship program has been instrumental in leading this movement by offsetting the cost of BFF certification, allowing land managers to apply those funds that would be used on certification fees to pollinator habitat. Coupled with significant Integrated Pest Management, the floral resources now available for local and migratory pollinators will increase biodiversity and add a variety of benefits to almond operations across California.
Bee Friendly Farming® Certified provides guidelines for farmers, growers, and land managers to promote pollinator health on their lands. BFF sets standards for sustainable farming on important concepts like planting pollinator food sources, providing nesting habitat, and incorporating an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy to help growers prevent pest infestations and find solutions that solve pest problems while providing safe harbor for pollinating species.
BFF Certified growers report substantial benefits to their operations. In addition to increased pollination services, they see improved soil health and water retention as well as an increase in the presence of natural enemies to combat common pests. BFF’s rigorous and stringent compliance protocol helps ensure that these almond orchards play an essential part in keeping pollinators healthy and the food supply abundant. Look for the BFF logo in your local supermarket on almond products – it is the mark of forward-thinking growers who value quality production and represent exemplary stewardship.
“Bee Friendly Farming seeks practical solutions for farmers with the goal of seeing real environmental change. It is thrilling to see how the almond industry is turning this superfood into a driver for pollinator and environmental health as well,” stated Laurie Davies Adams, President of Pollinator Partnership, parent organization of Bee Friendly Farming.
“We congratulate our Bee Friendly Farming Certified growers on National Almond Day for their leadership and vision in building a sustainable future for one of California’s most important crops and one of the world’s favorite foods,” added Miles Dakin, Bee Friendly Farming Coordinator from Pollinator Partnership’s California headquarters.
Visit www.BeeFriendlyFarming.org for more information on Bee Friendly Farming and to learn how you can participate as a farmer, gardener, or partner.
ABOUT POLLINATOR PARTNERSHIP (P2) Established in 1997, Pollinator Partnership (P2) is the largest 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the health, protection, and conservation of all pollinating animals. Pollinator Partnership’s actions for pollinators include education, conservation, restoration, policy, and research. P2’s financial support comes through grants, gifts, memberships and donations from any interested party. Its policies are
science-based, set by its board of directors, and never influenced by any donor. To make a donation in
support of our mission, or for information, visit www.pollinator.org.
ABOUT BEE FRIENDLY FARMING (BFF)Bee Friendly Farming is a certification program from Pollinator Partnership that provides guidelines for farmers and growers interested in promoting pollinator health on their lands.
https://www.pollinator.org/bff.
As almond pollination costs have gone up in recent years, the Almond Board of California has engaged in studies to help growers reduce costs and developed strategic partnerships with other organizations to provide some new services that almond growers should take advantage of. Watch this brief interview with Josette Lewis from the Almond Board as she explains and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.