US: Almond Board and CAPCA join forces to support pest control advisers

Pest Control Advisers (PCAs) are trusted, reliable members of the California almond industry who play a vital role in supporting growers and applicators. As the industry continues to strive toward its Almond Orchard 2025 Goal of increasing adoption of environmentally friendly pest management tools, growers will look to the Almond Board and PCAs for guidance on how to implement an approach of proven cultural practices, alternatives to sprays (when possible), precision application and reduced spray drift.

PCAs will play an integral role in advising growers on these measures and supporting their steps to grow their crop in better, safer and healthier ways.

To further support PCAs, the Almond Board of California (ABC) and California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) have joined forces to ensure advisers have the latest research and information they need to make optimal in-orchard recommendations and be successful in consulting almond growers.

"We look forward to working with the Almond Board to bring great educational opportunities to our members and stakeholders. This timely collaboration facilitates a space for PCAs to actively engage in the continuous improvements of the California almond industry," said Ruthann Anderson, CAPCA President and CEO. "We encourage our CAPCA and Crop Team members to bookmark resources provided through this partnership for use in 2021 and beyond."

Throughout 2021, the Almond Board will provide the following services to CAPCA and Crop Team members:

• continuing education hosted at CAPCACE.com and available now: "The Status of Herbicide Resistance in California and Finding Success with Soil Moisture Monitoring,"

• technical articles on a variety of production topics,

• consistent, timely updates to Tree Nut Crop Team members, and

• dedicated, almond-specific educational breakout session at the 2021 CAPCA Conference, scheduled for Oct. 17-19.

"Partnering with CAPCA will greatly strengthen the Almond Board's ability to reach PCAs with the latest ABC-funded-research and resources, which can also be shared with almond growers throughout the state. Working together, we aim to extend our support of the PCA community and thereby further support growers as they continue seeking more effective, efficient ways to responsibly grow their crop," said Tom Devol, senior manager of Field Outreach and Education at the Almond Board.

PCAs are invited to visit Almonds.com/PCATools to learn more about ABC's partnership with CAPCA, as well as the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals and the goals' integral relationship with the California Almond Sustainability Program. In addition, CAPCA's Tree Nut Crop Team webpage will continue to be updated with timely articles and resources to enhance PCA's work with the California almond industry.