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Environmental Stewardship Program Update October 23, 2007

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

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Environmental Stewardship Program Update October 23, 2007

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  1. Environmental Stewardship Program Update October 23, 2007

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Definitions of Sustainability Ecologically Sound Economically Viable Social Equity

  8. 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.

  9. Levels of Sustainable Efforts • A Mission Statement Internal guidance using mission as anchor • A Vision Known internally and promoted externally • Farm-to-Fork BMP’s Pulls together all BMP’s and GAP’s under one “whole systems” approach • Voluntary Self – Evaluation Documentation of self-assessment of BMPs/GAPs • Value-Added Marketing Tool Third party certification and marketing advantage

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. Other Sustainable Efforts • State • National • Market-driven

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

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