Sustainable Practices Program Development: Strategic Planning

Ukiah, CAFebruary 11, 2009

North Coast2008 Pear Research Meeting

Today’s Agenda

2008 Project Background

Sustainable Practice Programs

Practice “Checklist” Availability

Pursuing a Multi-Commodity Sustainable Practices

Program

Summary & Next Steps – 2009 Project

Sustainable Practices – Lots of Activity

Sustainable Practices-Based Branding

Project Justification and Background

Regulatory ComplianceMeeting existing & evolving regulatory requirements

Regulatory/Financial IncentivesQualifying for public/private incentives targeted at improving or recognizing sustainable practices (e.g., NRCS EQIP, Insurance, etc.)

“Commercial” ComplianceMeeting market demands/opportunities

We need a strategic plan to develop a sustainable practices program to address a rapidly evolving market and regulatory environment driven by environmental, social, and economic concerns. Three forces acting on the industry are:

2008 Project

2007 Project

Business Process Leading to Practical Results

Business process management approach to the integrated design,development and implementation of sustainable practices programs

Strategy Development

What?

Why?

• Industry leadership team formed• Research - 3 crop groups + 8 UC researchers• Strategic planning meeting

• Decision making formalized• Explore crop group cost sharing opportunities• Determine potential UC resources• Strategic plan lays out program “roadmap”

Continue?

Summary of Practice Program Strategy

Scope = California growers only

California pear industry program goal will be to provide initial benchmarking and to continue to show leadership in specialty crop sector

Start with environmental practice areas using a combination of Yes/No and 4-Level Least-to-Most questions

Utilize existing “free” practice checklists

Explore working with other tree crop groups

Analyze historical production research from a sustainability perspective

Key Potential Program BenefitsIndustry

Grower

• Public relations – proactive effort + part of “good story”• Identify grower education & outreach opportunities• Regulatory incentives via collaboration with agencies• Industry-level source for sustainably grown fruit

• Operational cost reductions – improved practices• Private incentives – insurance, lending• Regulatory relief via program participation• Favorable contracts for sustainably grown fruit

Sustainable Practice Programs/Frameworks

Various models to choose from

Different models require different levels of effort and resources to develop

Framework selection depends on short- and long-term goals – what is appropriate for the California pear industry?

Current Sustainable Practice Programs

SYSCO Sustainable/IPM = Soil, Water, IPM, nutrients, recycling, HR (little bit of many things…)

Example: Sustainable Winegrowing Program

Example: Food Alliance Whole farm + crop specific practices Levels of sustainability

Pear Specific

Example: Positive Points for Citrus Developed by UC Extension with citrus industry Evaluation of usage of sustainable practices

UC Sustainable Ag Support Structure

Agricultural Sustainability Institute

SAREP UCD Researchers UC ANR - UCCE

Early organizational stage: prioritizing activities

Laundry list of “Sustainability Solutions” (topics to be addressed)

No immediate tools, but will come… Tom Tomich very interested in pear process

“Checklist” SummaryPractice Area* Potential Sources Status

Pest Management (IPM) UC IPM Very Good

Water Conservation & Quality

UC, UC ASI, NRCS, RCD

Good

Energy Efficiency PG&E Not Available

Air Quality CARB, NRCS, UC ASI Fair

Nutrient Management UC, UC ASI Fair

Labor CIRS, APMA Fair

Solid waste/Recycling UC, CDFA Not Available

* Economics = UC cost/return studies across many practice areas

Sustainable Practice “Checklist” Availability

UC Resources• IPM, water conservation, water quality, air quality, nutrient management

SYSCO Sustainable – can use as long as proper credit is given

Sustainable Winegrowing Program – no-fee licensing agreement to use their content

Very few others are immediately usable

Pear Industry Practice Program

Use available checklists – UC IPM, SYSCO, SWP

Focus on environmental practice areas and maybe several practices from other areas

Create simple checklists for initial industry benchmarking

Pear Industry Benchmarking Potential

Multi-Commodity Practice Program

Contacted cherry, dried plum, pistachio, walnut, and stone fruit association executives and most are interested in getting together to discuss a program

Great Valley Center grant from Columbia and Heller Foundations to explore potential

Can pear industry leverage this cross commodity funding opportunity?

What the process might look like…

Multi-Commodity Practice Program Concept

Orchard Mgmt

Pest Mgmt

Water Conservation

Water Quality

Air Quality

Soil Quality

Energy Efficiency

Human Resources

Neighbors/Community

Tree Crop Overlap

Harvest

Harvest

Ecosystem Mgmt

Next Steps – Benchmarking & Analysis

Business process management approach to the integrated design,development and implementation of sustainable practices programs

Select Practices from Existing Sources

California Pear IndustrySustainable Practices

Committee Review• Growers• Processor/Packer• UCCE

Industry Benchmarks in 2009

California Pear IndustrySustainable Practices

Data CaptureSurvey

AggregateResults

GenerateReports

Individual growers All growers • Industry averages• Grower vs. industry average• Year-to-year comparison

Continue “Good Story” Background Work

What?

How?

• Link historical research to Sustainability• Results/benefits conveyed in “sustainable-ese” • Incorporate into future research decisions

• Compile historical research project info• Analyze each project against resources & “3 E’s”• Analyze final results for communication needs

Questions?