[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]The almond industry is growing while also fending off risks \u2014 such as\u00a0declining bee populations<\/a>\u2014 so, it would make sense to strive for its environmental sustainability. Such has been a focus for the\u00a0Almond Board of California<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(ABC<\/strong>), which supports thousands of California growers and processors, many of whom are third- and fourth-generation farmers.<\/p>\n We caught up\u00a0Danielle Veenstra<\/strong>, Manager of Sustainability Communications at ABC \u2014 and also a family almond farmer \u2014 to find out more about the future of almonds.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Danielle Veenstra:<\/strong>\u00a0In addition to producing a healthy food that people love, our community is dedicated to growing almonds in better, safer and healthier ways, protecting our communities and environment. Recognizing our leadership role in California agriculture and global almond production, the\u00a0Almond Orchard 2025 Goals<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0build on decades of previous achievements with targets across\u00a0zero waste<\/strong>,\u00a0water efficiency<\/strong>,\u00a0pest management<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0air quality<\/strong>. Progress toward these goals are underway, centered in research partnerships and on-farm optimizations.<\/p>\n Our goal is to achieve zero waste in our orchards by putting everything we grow to optimal use. In the case of almonds, that means things like hulls, shells and even the trees at the end of their productive lives.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]DV:<\/strong>\u00a0Many people don\u2019t realize that almonds grow in a shell, protected by a hull, on a tree. These products have traditionally been used for livestock bedding, dairy feed and electricity generation. Originally identified decades ago through the ABC\u2019s longstanding research program, these uses have served us well, but changing markets and other factors have led us to reinvigorate this work and explore new ideas. Led by ABC\u2019s\u00a0Biomass Workgroup<\/strong>, we\u2019ve invested in eight new research projects this year alone. The aim is to identify optimal uses that have higher value, both economically and environmentally. Early promising leads are in the areas of strengthening recycled plastics, creating fuel, brewing beer and more.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”4627″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” color_scheme=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1556915084535{background-color: #18ad96 !important;}”][vc_column width=”2\/12″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/12″][vc_custom_heading text=”Get News & Updates About SB’19 Detroit” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″][vc_raw_html]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[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n DV:<\/strong>\u00a0In addition to the 2.3 billion pounds of almonds grown in California orchards in 2017, we also produced 1.6 billion pounds of shells and 4.5 billion pounds of hulls. Demand for these hulls and shells has dropped in recent years, following shifts in the\u00a0California dairy industry<\/a>. In addition, our production continues to increase as new, young orchards come into production, so not only will we have more almonds, but also more hulls and shells. At this point, we are still able to put these things to use, but we are also preparing for our future. Furthermore, we want to find more diverse and optimized uses that have economic value for the farmer and bring environmental benefits to the world around us.<\/p>\n DV:<\/strong>\u00a0Right now, any profit from selling almond coproducts for traditional uses is built into the operating costs of removing the hulls and shells, so the farmer is not getting any economic benefit. However, with this research underway, one major objective is to identify higher-value uses. That\u2019s why ABC is exploring a wide variety of potential uses and considering not just their economics, but also the potential for scalability and commercialization. Given where we are with the research, we can\u2019t quantify those things yet. However, the ultimate goal is that these materials could become valuable products in their own right. In that way, the almond community can fully\u00a0engage in a circular economy<\/a>\u00a0where every coproduct is an input for another valuable product.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4662″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n DV:<\/strong>\u00a0Partnerships are essential to ABC\u2019s research program and span across understanding almonds\u2019 impact on human health, ensuring food quality and safety, and improving farming practices. In the area of sustainability, we partner with several organizations that help us explore new technologies and out-of-the-box solutions that address farming needs today, while helping to build the almond orchard of the future.\u00a0To support on-farm improvements, ABC translates research findings into actionable and field-ready recommendations that we share directly with farmers and processors.<\/p>\n In the area of coproducts, an important partnership is with\u00a0University of California, Davis <\/strong>researchers. One ongoing project is testing whether almond hulls, which are sugary and fibrous, can be used in the emerging world of insect farming. This research project is exploring raising\u00a0black soldier fly larvae<\/strong><\/a>, an important feedstock for poultry and aquaculture, on almond hulls. Another UC Davis project is conducting research trials to determine if almond hulls and shells can be used as part of an alternative, all-natural method to prepare soil before replanting an orchard. If untreated, pests in the soil can feed on the newly planted trees\u2019 roots, stunting their growth and their ability to take up water and nutrients. This method \u2014 known as\u00a0biosolarization<\/strong>\u2014 uses hulls, shells, water, tarps and the power of the sun to naturally deplete the soil of oxygen, making it inhospitable to key soil pests.<\/p>\n DV:<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s hard to forecast that right now, given the number of projects underway and many variables between the lab and commercialization, but I\u2019ll share a few that I think are particularly exciting.<\/p>\n One promising approach is using almond shells to strengthen\u00a0post-consumer recycled plastic<\/a>. Through a process called\u00a0torrefaction<\/strong>, almond shells can be transformed into a charcoal-like black powder which, when added to recycled plastics, makes them stronger and more heat-stable. The material could also be used to turn tires black, replacing the petroleum-based product that the tire industry currently uses.<\/p>\n Another that I\u2019d really like to see work is extracting the sugar from almond hulls and using it to ferment beverages like\u00a0beer<\/strong>,\u00a0hard cider<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0kombucha<\/strong>. Once the sugar is extracted, you\u2019re left with a fibrous material that can be used as a growing medium for mushrooms. Initial research results look promising; and this could replace traditional peat moss, typically imported from other countries and a limited resource.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text] The Almond Board of California is sponsoring and exhibiting at SB’19 Detroit June 3-7 [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text] Almonds are a fantastic food \u2014 they\u2019re packed with protein, have good fat, are an excellent snack themselves and make great alternatives to milk and flour products. But almonds […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4621,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4618"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4618"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4618\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4626,"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4618\/revisions\/4626"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/events.sustainablebrands.com\/conferences\/sb19det\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The California almond community announced 2025 sustainability goals in January of this year. What are the goals and what led to their development?<\/h3>\n
The zero-waste goal has produced some unexpected ideas. What are some of the most innovative uses for shells and hulls that are being explored?<\/h3>\n
What happens to shells and hulls if alternative uses aren\u2019t deployed?<\/h3>\n
Let\u2019s talk about economics.\u00a0From the perspective of a family farmer, how much do some of the new uses for shells and hulls stand to improve the overall profitability of an almond farm?\u00a0And the almond industry?<\/h3>\n
What partnerships are proving critical to achieving the sustainability goals?<\/h3>\n
What new almond-infused products should we expect to see on the market first?<\/h3>\n
To learn more about the Almond Board of California<\/a>, join us at SB’19 Detroit<\/a> June 3-7 and find out how this organization and many more are driving the future of business through sustainability.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n