Every almond season begins with bloom, and bloom depends on pollination. In practical terms, pollination is infrastructure — just like irrigation systems, equipment, crews, and harvest planning.
The Almond Board of California states that almonds rely on honey bees for pollination and has supported honey bee health research and best management practices for growers, beekeepers, applicators, and other pollination stakeholders. Project Apis m. was founded as a collaboration between commercial beekeepers and almond growers, funding practical research and forage programs that support honey bee health and pollination security.
This is also local. In the 2024 Stanislaus County Agricultural Report, pollination was listed among the county's top commodities, valued at about $78.6 million.
The future of almond farming will require stronger relationships between growers and beekeepers. It will also require better communication around bloom timing, pesticide applications, forage, hive placement, and orchard conditions. At Singh Pahal LLC, we see bloom as the first major test of the season — and good farming means preparing for it before the flowers open.