Farm Information

County: Colusa, Yolo
Location: Arbuckle
Slope: Hills
Irrigation system: Drip
Soil type: Gravelly loam
Soil detail: Arbuckle gravelly loam. Varied.
Special farming challenges: Water retention and nutrient availability on gravelly soils. Soil erosion on slopes. Long-term water availability.

• Cropping Systems Information
• Crop: almonds
  Acres of orchard or vineyard: 380 (bearing and non-bearing)

  Other crops: walnuts, rice, row crops
  Acres of other crops: n/a
  Organic management: No
  Certifications: None
  Certifications notes: Had a Bee Better certification until this year. Planning to get Bee Friendly certification through Almond Board instead.
  Where using cover crops: Almonds and walnuts

• Grower Experience, Farm Priorities, and Cover Cropping Goals
• When started farming (yr): Husband Pat and Kim joined the farm’s management in 2009 and 2014 respectively, but her family has farmed in the area since the mid 1800s
  Farm priorities: Sustainability, longevity and long-term viability for future generations Want to be economically sustainable, but also consider that they've been farming this land for 5 generations and hope to see 5 more generations. They strive to treat the soil with care, to ensure good yields in the future."We're not venture capitalist farmers. We're trying to make a living in it."
  Years growing orchard or vineyard crop: 90 years
  Years growing cover crops: 11 years
  Initial transition to cover cropping: Started planting a pollinator mix on the border only, working with Xerces Society. After seeing that it worked well, started planting every 3rd row within almond orchard. Initially they worried it might "create a mess at harvest", but after the cover crop reseeded itself throughout the block, they realized it would be okay. Want to support both domestic honey bees and native bees, to increase almond yields. After working with NRCS, also see need for improving gravelly soils by adding organic matter to hold water and fertilizer. Also to sequester carbon, increase microbial and earthworm activity.
  Goals and benefits: Soil improvement, water infiltration/retention
  Benefits description: n/a
  Change in goals over time: They have expanded their focus to include soil building for water retention, erosion control and fertility in addition to the pollinator benefits.
  Reasons: They've done a lot of experimenting and trialing with various partners, including UC Davis, Xerces, and NRCS. The age and location of the orchards changes some of the priorities.
• Cover Crop Details, Planting and Management Methods

• Block described here: Almonds: Non-bearing
  Current cover crops: Legumes, grasses, brassicas, insectary mix
  Species and mixes: Project ApisM Soil Builder Mix: 30% Triticale, 35% Bell Beans, 28% Peas, 1% Canola, 1% Common Yellow Mustard, 5% Daikon
  Planting method: Drill seed, broadcast seed
  Planting date (2020): December
  Was that optimal? No, earlier would be better but rainfall dependent for germination.
  Pre-plant soil prep: Sanitize and float orchard then drill after light rain
  Planting equipment: No-till drill
  Seeding rate: 40-60 lbs/acre
  Seeding depth: n/a
  Did it germinate well? No, light stand due to late planting.
  Additional management and advice: n/a

• Cover Crop Termination Methods and Biomass Management

• Termination method: Mow
  Termination equipment and process: Mower
  Termination date: April/May
  Was it optimal? Yes. Maximizes flowering of brassicas, ideally during almond bloom. Specific mowing time depends logistics and trying to optimize the the mow of annual weeds for control. Not worried about residue; in drip system with dry middles it is mostly gone by August.
  Biomass management: Leave in place. Strives for a no-till system except when a light duscing is needed for broadcast seeding.

• Cover Cropping Challenges and Strategies to Address Them
• Challenges: Establishment difficulties
  Challenges description: Establishment and timing
  Strategies to address challenges: Plant earlier but need fall rain
  Was the cover crop worth it? Overall, yes. They are focused on long-term benefits for soil and pollinators so consider it a worthwhile investment. Have found ways to offset the costs by finding funding and partnering with the University (Neal Williams lab), NRCS, and non-profits (Xerces, ApisM, CAFF).
  Least successful past cover crops: They had trouble getting phacelia established, took about 3 years. Also have had issues with mustard and clover establishment during low rainfall years.