Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems

Speakers and Panel Participants—Regenerative Orchard Management

Speakers

Amelie Gaudin PhDAmélie Gaudin PhD, Associate Professor in Plant Sciences and Endowed Chair in Agroecology at University of California, Davis will be presenting on Best Management Practices in Regenerative Orchard Systems.

  • Why use cover crops in your orchard
  • Impacts on water efficiency, soil health and nutrient cycling
  • How to get started, what to consider, how to assess progress.

She'll also be sharing her latest research findings: Winter Cover Crops Reduce Spring Emergence and Egg Deposition of Overwintering Navel Orangeworm in Almonds.

Lance GundersonDr. Lance Gunderson, President and Co-Owner of the Regen Ag Laboratory in Pleasanton, NE will be introducing:

  • The Haney Test and other types of soil microbiological assessments
  • The PLFA test and the interpretation of that information regarding soil health
  • How this information can be used to support management decisions

Garrett LilesDr. Garrett Liles, RAD Lab Director and Soil Scientist, will do a soil health demonstration featuring soils contrasts, slake tests of known soils, and rain simulation test with and without cover crops showing differences in water infiltration and demonstrating the outcomes of RA practices.

Hossein ZakeriDr. Hossein Zakeri, COA Agronomist and CRARS Faculty Affiliate, will provide a tour of the University Farm’s cover crops in row cropping systems and orchards.
Raquel KrachRaquel Krach, CRARS Research Project Manager and owner of Massa Organics, Glenn, CA, will present her research on the impact of compost and multi-species cover crops in Regenerative Organic Almond Production.
Dr. Betsy BoydDr. Elizabeth Boyd, Entomologist, Faculty Affiliate CRARS and Professor in the College of Agriculture will present Impacts of Regenerative Practices on Beneficials: How this impacts growers bottom lines; and benefits of pollinator habitat to growers IPM programs.
Rory CrowleyRory Crowley, NicNuts, Chico, CA, will present on Whole Orchard Recycling Programs. He participated in the WOR program with the CDFA HSP program.
Benjamin LewisBenjamin Lewis, CRARS Farmer Relations,will present on Online cover crop selection tools/ resources- where to find them and how to use them (UCANR, USDA)Benjamin has over 15 years experience helping growers understand and implement NOP Organic and Regenerative Organic standards as a consultant and inspector.
Benina MontesBenina Montes, Burroughs Family Farm, Denair, CA, will present on Off the ground harvesting strategies—experiences on the farm.
Greg MassaGreg Massa, Massa Organics, Glenn, CA, will present on Use of Prune Harvesting equipment for off-the-ground harvesting.
Cynthia DaleyCynthia Daley, CRARS director, will present on Programs to support Healthy Soils Implementation in orchard systems.

Farmer Panel

Rory Crowley
Rory Crowley, NicNuts, Almonds/Walnuts, Chico, CA
Benina Montes
Benina Burroughs, Burroughs Family Farms, Almonds/Walnuts/Olives, Denair, CA
Daniel Unruh
Daniel Unruh, Walnuts, Princeton, CA
Bibiano Martinez
Bibiano Martinez, Agronomist for California Olive Ranch