Sometimes, one little [big] drought is all it takes…

The Almond Board of California – an industry trade group – is trying to improve the image of ‘big almond’ with its recent announcement of the details of their initiative called “Almond Orchard Goals 2025. The industry pledged to cut water use by 20 percent, among other sustainability initiatives.

This is welcome after we all read in horror during California’s epic five-year drought that ended in 2016 that our beloved almonds were sucking up a gallon per almond in irrigation water. Board president and chief executive officer Richard Waycott told nearly 4,000 farmers, processors and other attendees of the 46th annual Almond Conference that setting concrete goals will help the industry prioritize its activities and build consumer trust. “If we get into another drought, we’ll be in a better place with the media and consumers,” Waycott said.  [Western Farm Press]

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