Owl box on the Doherty Farm

Field Practices

We are focusing our sustainability efforts on irrigation management, pest management, and bee health. We use the California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP), led by the Almond Board of California, to collect grower-submitted production practice information. In addition to informing stakeholders of our growers’ sustainability efforts, CASP also helps growers find ways to improve the efficiency of their farming operations.

Many Blue Diamond growers are multi-generational farmers with families that are proud of their land stewardship heritage. Our growers employ multiple best practices in their farm management plans to ensure efficient use of environmental resources. Growers are able to tap into deep industry knowledge through our Member Relations Team, who are regarded as experts in their field, many with decades of experience. The Team provides year-round educational opportunities that promote the production of high-quality almonds, which starts in the orchards. This promotes even greater facility efficiencies and a higher grower return. Some examples of best practices include:

  • Adhering to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs developed by the University of California Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors in cooperation with many of Blue Diamond’s growers.
  • Employing the services of Pest Control Advisors and Certified Crop Advisors who provide up to date information and help to ensure implementation of best practices for pest and fertility management.
  • Using low volume irrigation methods in conjunction with state-of-the-art technology to monitor moisture status within the orchards to maximize irrigation efficiency and productivity.
  • Implementing nitrogen management plans to reduce leaching and run-off of nutrients.

Greenhouse gas emissions and the benefits of Almonds

  • Almond drink production emits 78% less carbon emission than dairy milk and in fact, also has a lower greenhouse gas footprint than other plant-based milks¹.
  • Almond trees capture and store a significant amount of carbon over their 25-year life cycle, and using the trees’ hulls, shells and woody biomass is key to reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact.
  • Considering the inherent properties of trees and traditional uses of almond coproducts, current almond farming practices are offsetting about 50% of their carbon emissions².
  • With further production improvements and policy changes, the California almond community could eventually be carbon neutral, or even carbon negative.

1: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science. Additional calculations, J.Poore.

2: Alissa Kendall, et al. “Life Cycle–Based Assessment of Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Almond Production. Part 1: Analytical Framework and Baseline Results.” Journal of Industrial Ecology. 2015.