For Immediate Release
November 2, 2006

For More Information:
Marsha Venable
Communications Coordinator
209-343-3233

Environmental Issues Panel at Almond Board Conference Dec 7th in Modesto

(Modesto, Calif., November 2)  - The Almond Board of California is including a California Environmental Issues Panel Discussion on Thursday, Dec. 7 as part of its annual conference December 6th and 7th in Modesto.  The issues to be addressed range from air and water quality to consumer expectations of farming practices.

Irrigation Deadline Brings Attention to Grower Education Needs

Perhaps most pressing of the environmental issues to be discussed, growers face an immediate deadline to join an Irrigated Lands Coalition to avoid having to obtain individual waste discharge permits for any water that may run-off from their land. The Water Board decided in July to extend the Ag. Land waiver program but in return made participation in the Coalitions mandatory. The deadline to sign up is December 31, 2006. After that deadline any grower who may discharge will be required to file for an individual waste discharge permit. “The costs for individual discharge permit fees easily reaches into the thousands” says Gabriele Ludwig, senior Manager, Global Technical & Regulatory Affairs for the Almond Board of California.  Thus, growers must decide whether any of their land fits the “discharger” criteria. If yes, then it is economically wiser to join a Coalition.

Given the example of the regulatory changes for Irrigated Lands, the Panel at the Almond Board Conference provides a range of speakers to touch on the regulatory issues related to the environment California growers face. Parry Klassen, Director for the Center for Urban and Rural Environmental Stewardship (CURES) program as well as one of the Irrigated Land Coalitions will provide more detail on the landscape of water quality regulations.

Other panelists and environmental topics include:
• Senator Jeff Denham - As the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, having jurisdiction over bills relating to agriculture and water supply management, the Senator will offer an overview of current California environmental legislation.  
• Jim Wells - The principle of the consulting firm Environmental Solutions LLC based in Sacramento, Jim will offer a general introduction to air quality issues including volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and the changes growers can anticipate.
• Caroline Silveira  -  Grocery Manufacturer Association’s Director of State Affairs for the Western Region of the United States ,  Caroline will discuss how environmental issues influence consumer buying decisions and steps being taken to educate consumers

Almond Breeding Program Front and Center at Grower’s Breakfast

Tom Gradziel, Professor of Pomology in the Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, will discuss how biotechnology and plant genomics are currently being used as powerful tools in his traditional almond breeding program, developing varieties which are not genetically modified.  According to Marsha Venable, Almond Board conference coordinator, the growers breakfast Thursday morning is not to be missed as attendees be eligible to submit double entries into the raffle for a Western Fruit Grower Gator Giveaway sponsored by Wilbur-Ellis, while learning about this cutting-edge research.  Seating is limited and advance reservations are necessary.  Phone (209) 549-8262 to reserve a seat.

Continuing Education Credits Available
Environmental and production research findings are the driving force behind this conference.  With over eight hours of research presented by nearly 40 esteemed researchers, the information almond growers need to improve growing practices just can’t fit into a single day.  Up to 3.5 credits for Certified Crop Advisers and 4.5 credits for Pesticide Control Advisers/ Private Applicators (over two days) are available for attendees. 
The conference will be held Dec. 6-7 at the Modesto Centre Plaza, 1150 9th St., Modesto, California.  Attendance at the conference is free, as is the Growers’ Breakfast on Dec 7; lunch is available on both days for $18, and dinner on the first day is $35.  Hotel information and conference registration is available online at www.AlmondBoard.com, or write or call the Almond Board at 1150 9th St., Suite 1500, Modesto, CA 95354, staff@almondboard.com or (209) 549-8262.
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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.


*Note to media:  Please pre-register for the conference at www.AlmondBoard.com We will schedule individual interviews for you with presenters.