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