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Environmental Stewardship Program Update October 23, 2007
Newsletter Articles
• May 2007 Newsletter- -Burn Ban for Almond Orchard Removal in SJV Takes Effect this June
• June 2007 Newsletter
• Almond Growers Urged To Comment on New Soil Fumigant Proposals
• Almond Board Helps Identify Technology Research Priorities
• June workshops will discuss ag engine replacement rules
Newsletter Articles
• July/August 2007 Newsletter - - Simple Steps to Reduce Dust at Harvest
• Sept/Oct 2007 Newsletter - - Almond Industry Looks at Climate Change Regulations
• Cost-Share Opportunities Help Almond Growers Reduce Environmental Impacts
Upcoming Newsletter Articles
• November 2007 - -Air Quality Regulations in Development for On-Road Diesel Trucks
• Gabriele Ludwig named to Coalition for Urban/Rural Environmental Stewardship Board of Directors
• December 2007- - Articles on environmental topics discussed at annual conference
Press Releases
• June workshops will discuss ag engine replacement rules -- June 7, 2007
• Burn ban for almond orchard removal in SJV takes effect this June - - June 13, 2007
• Almond growers urged to comment on new soil fumigant rules - - June 14, 2007
Media Placements
• Simple steps can reduce almond harvest dust - - Aug. 6, 2007 Western Farm Press
Guest Editorial • Grower input is critical on proposed
new soil fumigant restrictions - - Oct. 12,2007 Western Farm Press
Definitions of Sustainability
Ecologically Sound
Economically Viable
Social Equity
Definition of Sustainability for the Almond Industry:
Sustainable almond farming utilizes production practices that are economically viable and are based upon both scientific research and common sense. and a respect for the environment, neighbors and employees. The result is a plentiful, healthy and safe food product.
Levels of Sustainable Efforts
1. A Mission StatementInternal guidance using mission as
anchor2. A Vision
Known internally and promoted externally3. Farm-to-Fork BMP’s
Pulls together all BMP’s and GAP’s under one “whole systems” approach
4. Voluntary Self – EvaluationDocumentation of self-assessment of
BMPs/GAPs5. Value-Added Marketing Tool
Third party certification and marketing advantage
Partnerships and Collaborative EffortsMay, 2007 →
• Roots of Change (ROC)– Promote sustainable food system for CA for 2030– Develop 4 – 5 initiatives for RFP’s– One initiative is “Celebrate Farming”
• Holding farms and farming in high esteem• Farms contribute significantly to social well-being due to their
premier value in agricultural use• Encourage youth to seek this inheritable commodity as a
meaningful vocation
Partnerships and Collaborative EffortsMay, 2007 →
• Sustainable Production Systems Action Network – Larger commodities– Top regulatory officials– UC ASI– ROC
• To engage significant acreage in CA toward sustainable practices, thereby enabling DPR to see the greatest impact
Partnerships and Collaborative EffortsMay, 2007 →
• Ecosystem Services – Measuring benefits from sustainable efforts – An accounting approach, called “metrics”
• First, baseline data of current ecosystem services• Next, benefit and costs of alternative practices
– Society sees the benefits from growers beyond providing food and fiber
– Farmers can measure improvements and perhaps receive incentive benefits
Partnerships and Collaborative EffortsMay, 2007 →
• California Roundtable for Agriculture and the Environment (CRAE)– Working to develop a set of environmental standards– Adoptable by commodity-specific sustainability
programs– Involves participation by regulatory agencies
• Pursuing avenues for regulatory relief based on objective assessment of sustainable efforts
Other Sustainable Efforts
• State • National• Market-driven
Where are we going from here
• Participate in the wide array of efforts underway
• Complete draft of self-assessment/BMP’s this year– Keep us one step ahead of metrics effort
Where are we going from here
• Possible PMA II– Build upon PMA I
• Multiple benefits and kudos• Published Seasonal Guide• Seasonal Guide has won DPR’s IPM Innovator Award
• PMA II• Thorough analysis of PUR trends• Special emphasis on PCA’s in outreach and education• Dialogue with chemical suppliers for more reduced risk
options
Where are we going from here
• Conference Seminar– Mary-Ann Warmerdam, DPR– Jonathan Kaplan, NRDC– Cindy Wire, EPA– Keith Warner, U Santa Clara– Michael Dimock, ROC– Cliff Ohmart, Lodi-Woodbridge
• Thursday, December 6th 10:15 a.m - noon