By Aubrey Bettencourt | Special to the OBSERVER
OPINION – Yes, those nuts that California practically owns, making up nearly 80% of the world’s supply and every single almond the California and U.S. munches on. But guess what? Despite California’s global dominance in this sector, there are a bunch of false accusations trying to drag almonds through the mud, stuck on repeat with some seriously old news. It’s about time someone set the record straight.
Almonds got accused of drinking up all the water that ever existed. Beyond the hyperbole, that’s old news and old data. Since the 1990’s, the Almond Industry slashed water use by more than 50%, 15% in the past 5 years alone, doing so with smart tech like micro-irrigation and moisture sensorsWe are not just adapting; we are leading the pack.
And sustainable farming? It’s not just talk. It is what we do. We have cut down on water usage while boosting yields and ensuring that not a single part of the almond tree goes to waste. Everything gets used, from the trees and nuts to the shells and hulls, to help with carbon sequestration and even feed dairy cows to reduce their methane release.
Yes, you heard that right. We are pulling our weight in the fight against climate change, equivalent to ditching 24 million cars or shutting down 29 coal plants.
Our critics would rather stick their heads in the sand, ignoring all the progress, and bash our industry because it is easy to be irresponsible. They’re naive about what sustainable agriculture looks like and how almonds fit right into feeding the world in a healthier way.
Almond farms are the backbone of the California economy, and over 90% of our farms are family-run. The entire almond industry employs approximately 110,000, and generates nearly $19.6 billion in gross revenue annually for the state.
So, it’s time to shake off [Taylor Reference] the old, tired attacks and see the almond industry for what it truly is: a forward-thinking, sustainable powerhouse. Next time you’re snacking on almonds or sipping on almond milk, know you’re backing an industry that’s dead serious about doing right by the state, the environment, and the community.
Big Almonds? Damn straight. Big on innovation. Big on improvement. Big on nutrition. Big on solutions. The nut everyone loves to hate is now the nut that’s proving them all wrong. Our legacy in California is all about benefits—your health, our state’s economy, our environment, and our community. Time to give almonds the respect they deserve.
Aubrey Bettencourt is a third- generation California farmer and the President and CEO of the Almond Alliance. She previously served as the California State Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency and Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Water and Science Division of the U.S. Department of the Interior