Torturing California’s almonds and pistachios to survive climate change
California is a national and global powerhouse when it comes to nuts. Recent data shows that the Golden State produces roughly 80% of the world’s almonds and 60% of the world’s pistachios. It’s a lot of nuts and a lot of money. But changing climate conditions are challenging nut growers. With warming winters and a propensity for drought, crops that did well 20 years ago might not make it 20 years from now. That’s where the plant geneticists and breeders at UC Davis’ Wolfskill Experimental Orchard come in. This week, Gabriela Glueck, KCRW’s Julia Child Reporting Fellow, takes us on a trip to the orchard to meet with two nut crop breeders who are trying to set up California almond and pistachio growers for success.
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