Modesto, CA - The Almond Board of California has approved nearly $500,000 for research programs dealing with a broad range of environmental issues facing the California almond industry. Air and water quality issues top the list of environmental topics that affect the state's more than 6,000 growers who farm 610,000 acres in a growing region that stretches from Redding to Bakersfield.

"The Almond Board's key environmental role is to bring practical, applicable information to growers," asserts Dave Baker, chairman of the Almond Board's Environmental Committee. "The research projects we have approved are a demonstration of our commitment to give our growers the tools they need to become better stewards of the land."

The research projects encompass the areas of environmental stewardship, crop protection and air and water quality. Approved projects include:

• Almond Pest Management Alliance: This collaborative effort between growers, Pest Control Advisors and University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisors has completed its fifth year. Researchers are compiling a resource guide that will allow growers to effectively employ the reduced-risk pesticide strategies that emerged from the study.
• Spray Swath Analysis and Drift Management: This project's objectives include study of how to minimize the drift of pesticide sprays through reduced application rates, while meeting stricter regulatory guidelines.
• Reducing the Impact of Dormant Sprays: This research studies the impact and efficacy of alternatives to dormant season uses of pesticides such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon that have come under scrutiny by regulatory agencies for their impact on some aquatic organisms in Valley waterways.
• Benefits of Chipping Almond Brush: Wood chips can have a beneficial impact on soil nutrients and this research will study the various benefits almond orchards may derive from the chipping of almond brush. Impending air quality regulations will end the practice of burning brush throughout the San Joaquin Valley by the year 2010.
• Evaluating Dust Generation using In-Line Monitoring: With Valley agriculture facing regulatory controls for emissions of particulate matter known as PM10, this study will install sensors on harvesting equipment and coordinate its testing with ongoing dust emissions testing funded by the Board.
• Improvement of PM10 Emission Factors for Almond Harvesting: The objective is to measure the in-field PM10 from almond harvesting, which will quantify variations in emission factors produced by different management practices. This data will allow the development of an EPA-approved model for low-level point sources.
• Management Alternatives to Current Harvest Procedures: As of July 1, 2004 growers are required to prepare Conservation Management Plans detailing how they will control dust. This project will identify the range of soils in Valley orchards, conduct field experiments to measure specific air borne dust emissions and contribute to the CMPs being developed by the Valley air district.
• Minimizing Emissions from Chloropicrin Soil Fumigation: With the phasing out of the soil fumigant methyl bromide, this project will develop practical cultural and irrigation practices that minimize fumigant emissions from the soil and allow practical use of alternatives to methyl bromide.
• Central Valley Watershed Coalitions: Growers are required to monitor runoff from their orchards for pesticides, fertilizers, sediment and other naturally occurring elements such as salt and boron. Watershed coalitions are being formed through the Valley to help growers comply with regulations. This project will assist in developing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect surface water, communicate BMP information and conditional waiver updates to growers, and link almond growers with the various coalitions while providing internet-based information and newsletters to keep growers informed of the latest developments, regulations, meetings and workshops.
• Environmental Stewardship Campaign: Promoting the environmentally friendly practices of almond growers is the focus of this pro-active project. Utilizing the thirty years of research funded by growers, this project keeps growers informed of the various environmental regulations, while at the same time educating the public and leading opinion makers about the environmentally responsible practices of almond growers.

More information concerning these projects can be found at www.enviroag.org. The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Established in 1950, the Board's charge is to promote the best quality almonds, California's largest tree nut crop.

For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit www.AlmondBoard.com.