In 2021, Pomona Farming partnered with industry experts to create a QR blockchain traceability initiative that provides consumers with end-to-end visibility into the entire supply chain. This project was a finalist for the 2023 INC Excellence in Sustainability Award.
When it comes to producing clean, traceable and nutritious food, Pomona Farming is committed to raising the standard. Like many growers, the company found it challenging to effectively translate their sustainable practices and resource-conservation efforts back to their customers. That all changed in 2021, when Pomona Farming joined forces with Monte Vista Farming Co. and Daco Bello to develop a traceability project that was built on blockchain technology and leveraged QR codes for data input and access. The project required the participants to come to the table and develop trust and transparency between their various workflows.
The blockchain-based food confidence platform Connecting Food enables the QR codes to be printed on Daco Bello’s packaging. The code links the customer back to Pomona Farming’s sustainable farming practices and key commitments, while also highlighting the company’s efforts in specific areas. As an independent third party, Connecting Foods validates the data, verifies certifications, and passes the information into the blockchain dataset, which traces the product all the way from the field to the supermarket shelf.
The blockchain data available to the consumer included a wide range of valuable information, including the details provided below:
- field block data
- pollinator habitat data
- sustainable farming and regenerative orchard practices
- resource-saving metrics by ranch and year, offering aggregated data comparisons across multiple years
- third-party sustainability certificates
Through this traceability project, Pomona Farming not only tells its sustainable farming story, but also closes the information gap with consumers by sharing impactful, actualized environmental measurements. The project transcends continents, maintains input integrity, and brings the data from behind the nuts directly to the consumer.
Better yet, by providing this level of transparency, Pomona Farming has been able to command a price premium, providing financial support for project expansion while also validating the theory that growers, processors and packers can come together to create a product that is not only nutritious but also helps preserve our planet’s resources.
The Transformative Power of Sustainability Measures
Pomona Farming is dedicated to innovative and proven farming practices that deliver the safest, cleanest food, while also taking care of its employees and communities. The following is a snapshot of some of the environmental impacts achieved at Pomona’s Oakdale ranch.
Optimized Herbicide and Pesticide Usage.
Pomona Farming has successfully reduced its reliance on herbicides and pesticides by implementing cutting-edge technology solutions. These advancements have enabled the farm to significantly curtail the application of these chemicals, leading to enhanced environmental sustainability and healthier agricultural practices.
Water Resource Conservation.
Responsible water management is of the utmost importance to Pomona Farming. Through the adoption of WiseConn, an advanced irrigation technology, the farm has achieved substantial water savings per unit. This wireless irrigation system empowers farmers to precisely program and control essential components like pumps, wells, reservoirs and valves. By ensuring that trees receive just the right amount of water they need, this system optimizes resource utilization.
Improved Pest Management.
Pomona Farming implemented the Semios pest-management system at the Oakdale ranch in 2019. This system enables the prediction and management of insect and disease pressures, monitoring of weather-related risks, and optimization of application timing and frequency. Thanks to Semios’s pheromone mating disruption, Pomona Farming achieved a substantial 38% reduction in pesticide inputs, accompanied by a remarkable 40% drop in insect damage.
The Future of Sustainable Agriculture.
The success of the Semios project has inspired Pomona Farming to explore additional sustainable agriculture initiatives. The farm is actively incorporating new biological chemistries, such as Vestaron’s hull-split navel orangeworm biological application, into its practices. Furthermore, Pomona Farming is piloting regenerative agriculture certification on conventional almonds. In addition to this, the company has set aside specific fields dedicated to Pesticide Residue Free (PRF) almonds, demonstrating a commitment to offering high-quality, pesticide residue-free crops. These ongoing initiatives underscore Pomona Farming’s unwavering commitment to environmentally conscious and sustainable agricultural practices.
About Pomona Farming
Pomona Farming is a multilateral agricultural enterprise committed to sustainable farming practices with a strong focus on delivering outcomes that yield nutritious and clean food. Their regenerative farming practices are meticulously designed to efficiently promote ecological health, conserve precious natural resources and cultivate a positive community impact. Spanning over 33,000 acres, their diverse range of crops includes premium California almonds, pistachios, olive oil, raisins, walnuts and more. This farming operation is bolstered by a transparent value chain model built to provide top-quality products from end to end. Today, Pomona Farming stands at the forefront of shaping the future of sustainable agriculture and looks forward to a brighter, more prosperous future for all.
Pomona Farming’s sustainable almond orchard employs a systematic precision farming approach that includes micro-drip irrigation, weed mats and strategic off-ground harvesting. Photo courtesy of Pomona Farming.
The QR code seamlessly incorporated into Daco Bello’s packaging guides customers to discover insights into Pomona Farming’s sustainable farming practices and commitments, fostering trust and enhancing the product’s perceived value through increased supply chain visibility. Photo courtesy of Pomona Farming.
