How We Grow

2019 March/April How We Grow

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7 MOVERS AND SHAKERS The preliminary results? While opacity meters were inconsistent, the other methods had merit. EPA Method 9 was deemed effective, allowing the industry to take advantage of hundreds of Certified EPA Method 9 Professionals to evaluate visible dust levels during harvest and reductions through best management practices. The EPA Alt 082 Digital Opacity Compliance System also worked, but with one caveat — the lack of available certified analysts could drive costs up. Finally, attaching laser samplers to drones was effective but requires developing a better protocol for consistent gathering of dust PM concentrations data. On the clear(er) horizon "Agriculture is not the leading cause of problematic air emissions," Capareda said when presenting his research at The 2018 Almond Conference. "But almond growers and handlers can mitigate the problem by reducing their own contributions." The Almond Board is funding several other researchers' work in harvest dust management. Other projects on the docket include exploration of equipment modifications and technologies, improved measurement, enhanced practices and an examination of new and revolutionary harvesting methods. "The industry can expect to hear much more about advances in dust management in the next few years," Saa said. "Through work like Dr. Capareda's and that of many other researchers, the industry is in a strong position to achieve its 50% dust reduction goal." Paul Wenger, Wenger Ranch Last December, the California Farm Bureau Federation presented its Distinguished Service Award to Paul Wenger, former CFBF president and Modesto-based almond and walnut grower. Since 1980, Wenger has been a Stanislaus Coun- ty Farm Bureau member, and he served as the Bureau's president before he became a statewide officer in 1997, the same year that he was elected as CFBF's second vice president. Wenger served as the organization's president from 2009–2017, and he remained in that role for the maximum term of eight years. (Source: California Ag Today) Randy Fasani, Supreme Almonds of California and Sierra Gold Nurseries Randy Fasani, a representative for Supreme Almonds of California and Sierra Gold Nurseries, accepted a position as the Ripon Christian High School head football coach. Fasani is returning to this role, as he was the team's head coach in 2013, and he served as the offensive coordinator for the Knights this past season. Fasani is a former high school All-American at Del Oro High School and a former National Football League quarterback. (Source: Front Row Sports) Rory Crowley, Nicolaus Nut Company Inc. Chico almond grower Rory Crowley recently participated in a roundtable discussion with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, then-U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, other government officials and local farmers in Arbuckle. The group discussed a variety of topics, including trade challenges and labor laws, and Crowley spoke specifically on water regulation. He discussed the "need for research to create better groundwater modeling systems," as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is being rolled out over the next few years. (Source: AgAlert)

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