Zero Waste Store Farming

The California Almond Board (pseudo-governmental organization) recently publicized its 2025 goals: Water Conservation, Pest Management, Reducing Harvest Dust, and Zero Waste.  In a previous BLOG we discussed water conservation. I’ve mentioned our pest management strategy of beneficial insects, we have zero dust by harvesting on tarps, but I’d like to discuss our results of zero waste.

Zero waste agriculture or a Zero Waste Store involves optimizing use of agricultural inputs, byproducts and resources. The ultimate goal is for no trash to be sent to landfills, incinerators, or the ocean.  So how does this play out at Capay Hills Orchard?  First, you should understand Brian. His parents experienced the depression and learned to conserve all resources and waste nothing. Brian inherited that characteristic.

We are as close to zero waste as you can get. The end result of our farming (operations and marketing) results in about 2 lbs of landfill waste every 2 months! The EPA reports the average person generates 4.9 pounds per person per day.  How do we do so well? Efficiency and Conservation.

Our first step is to farm as efficiently as possible as it pertains to energy use, water and resource use. Inputs are only applied to the level required and only after foliar and soil testing. We irrigate with the most efficient system pumped from a well powered by solar. We only irrigate when we needs to as determined by monitoring leaf water potential. We have zero water run-off during irrigation, and very little during winter storms. Storm water is harnessed by maximizing water infiltration via our cover crop strategy. We also have a water holding depressions which permit percolation into the ground water supply.

Occasionally the soil lacks a certain micronutrient the trees need. We only add micronutrients when testing determines it is required, and then only to the amount necessary. The material typically arrives in a plastic jugs. Every drip is accounted for and used. Each jug is triple rinsed and then recycled. Cardboard boxes are cut up and repurposed as packing material or burned in the family woodstove or recycled.  We farm under the concept of Regenerative Agriculture. We regenerate topsoil, increase biodiversity, improve water cycles, enhance our ecosystem, support biosequestration and recycling as much farm waste as possible.  Just about everything is re-used or repurposed. Orchard and house prunings are chipped and integrated into the soil to be transformed into future nitrogen for the trees. We simply operate in a manner to minimize agricultural pollution as much as possible and maximize the use of available resources by creating a closed loop method for farming where nothing is wasted or contaminated. Zero waste farming was really the way that farming was practiced for many generations prior to “conventional” modern farming practices. By practicing zero waste, regenerative agriculture, the output of one process is the input of another via practices such as composting. It’s not really a new concept.  Even household food waste is either composted or fed to the chickens,… and there is little waste.

Regenerative Practice: Sheep grazing off cover crop and fertilizing

Essentially, zero waste farming is just using creativity and common sense to accomplish something with limited resources. Farmers have to use their land to its full potential or their income will diminish. They have to reduce waste, especially water waste since supply can be limited and expensive. Almond hulls are sold for cattle feed. Shells are used as a soil amendment, animal bedding, animal feed, plastics additive, etc. There 66 ongoing research projects identifying other uses for almond shells.

There are not many farmers that don’t drive a pick-up truck. Brian is one of them. We found it is better to have a Suburban to carry the family around and a trailer to haul farm related resources around. This contributes to operating efficiently.  Normally, we just drive a smaller car, Subaru wagon. Why drive a high mileage pick-up when you can drive a smaller car that gets twice the mileage?

What do you think? Please make a comment. Be sure to share this article with your friend who might be interested and who are looking for a top notch orchard to buy real almonds from.

Brian

The Farmer

Almonds may not be cheap, but they are cheaper than the doctor or hospital. Eat well, live well, and support your organic farmer and family farm.

You can buy unpasteurized raw almonds and almond butter directly from the California farmer at Capay Hills Orchard. Order off the website, www.chorganicalmonds.com  or by calling or texting 530-507-8222 and talk to the farmer directly.