Elevating Pistachio Farming: Soil Health Webinar Recap
Healthy soil is the foundation of farming success, and for pistachio farmers like Justin Wylie, it’s a game-changer.
During the webinar Elevating Pistachio Farming Through Improved Soil Health, MyLand’s Senior Agriculture Researcher, Amy Rial, discussed soil health strategies with Justin, a fifth-generation pistachio grower at Wylie Farms in California’s Central Valley and a MyLand grower.
They covered everything from what inspired Justin to pursue regenerative growing practices, to the benefits of sustainable growing practices and steps growers can take to build pistachio tree resilienc, boost water retention, keep pistachio nut split rates up, and increase profitability.
Here’s a closer look at the highlights from the webinar, including practical advice for farmers and insights into Justin’s journey toward regenerative agriculture for his pistachio trees.
What Impacts Pistachio Farming? A Deep Dive into Weather Challenges and Soil Resilience
Justin began by sharing how he’s seen heavy rainfall impact his farm’s soil in recent years.
Thanks to his focus on sustainable growing practices, his soil was remarkably resilient during flood events.
“We didn’t see a lot of runoff,” he said, further explaining that improved ground cover and native grasses had stabilized the soil and reduced erosion, even on sloped terrain.
He attributed his pistachio soil health success to enhanced soil aggregation — one of the physical traits of healthy soil. This is a process where soil particles bind together, creating a stable structure that resists erosion and retains water.
How did this pistachio farmer achieve this improvement?
Justin explained that the improvement in soil resilience was achieved as a result of careful soil management, including resting the land and encouraging native vegetation. These efforts resulted in better water holding capacity, a key factor in building pistachio tree soil resilience against extreme weather.
Avoiding Dips in Production: The “J Curve”
A critical takeaway from the webinar was how Justin avoided the “J curve,” a dip in production that pistachio growers can experience when transitioning from conventional to sustainable practices.
His strategy? Gradually reducing chemical inputs and focusing on microbial abundance.
“If you’re coming off of a high chemical dependent system with high salts and you don’t have any microbial cycling in your soils, your trees are basically on life support,” he explained. “Filling up your soil with microbial abundance helps with the transition from conventional to a diverse microbial system.”
By adding biology back into the soil—through compost, organic fertilizers, and microalgae (like that from the MyLand Service)—he supported nutrient cycling and created a healthier soil ecosystem for his pistachio trees.
What are Small Steps to Sustainable Pistachio Farming?
The importance of starting small when first adopting regenerative practices was one of the standout messages from Justin’s journey. Transitioning to sustainable agriculture can feel daunting to any pistachio farmer, and he acknowledged the hesitations faced by many growers.
“Take the smallest amount of acreage that you can stand to lose the crop on, which is, of course, a worst-case scenario,” he advised. “My goal has been to not experience any sort of drop-off in production and quality. And I think we’ve been successful.”
Justin pointed out that introducing new growing practices to a specific plot of land allows growers to experiment without risking their entire operation. Justin began his transition by scaling back chemical inputs, incorporating compost teas, and introducing microalgae to his orchards.
His incremental adoption of regenerative methods helped him maintain crop quality and profitability while steadily improving soil health.
The Role of Microalgae
One of the most innovative practices Justin implemented was incorporating microalgae into his soil management routine. Microalgae serve as a foundational food source for soil microbes and kickstarts nutrient cycling. It also improves soil structure, boosts water retention, and supports a vibrant microbial ecosystem, making algae an essential tool for sustainable pistachio tree farming.
Justin said, “if we could inoculate our soils with (live) microalgae, this would jumpstart all of the other microbial growth.”
Justin contrasted this approach with the limitations of bottled microbial products, often called “bugs in a jug.” These products, while helpful, typically contain dead algae which can’t reproduce in the soil and may require repeated applications. Live, native microalgae, on the other hand, integrate naturally into the soil food web where they’re already thriving.
Trials and Triumphs of Regenerative Practices
Justin’s journey to improve soil health hasn’t been without challenges. He spoke openly about balancing the transition with maintaining profitability and crop quality.
“We spent a lot of money on high-dollar fertilizers and compost to ensure we didn’t see damage while pushing the soil forward. I was highly focused on it, paying attention every day, talking to regenerative agronomists, bringing in soil health consultants, trying to make sure we didn’t make a mistake,” he said. “A lot of farmers aren’t going to be able to commit those kinds of time and resources. That’s where MyLand comes in.”
Justin’s efforts paid off, leading to noticeable improvements in pistachio crop resilience and profitability. He also saw how increased soil health reduced tree stress and allowed for better water management.
The Path to Sustainable Profitability
The shift from maximizing production to prioritizing profitability is a key mindset change for growers embracing regenerative agriculture.
“In the long run, I think [regenerative agriculture] is going to be far more profitable, far less expensive, and we’re going to have far fewer crop insurance claims because of the resiliency of our crops,” he said.
Justin also pointed out the importance of empowering the next generation of farmers to adopt these practices: “I’ve met dozens of people who have returned to their family farms because their parents agreed to let them take the farm in this direction.”
Key Webinar Takeaways
The webinar highlights actionable insights for growers looking to improve soil health:
- Start Small: Test regenerative practices on a dedicated plot of land to fine-tune your practices.
- Avoid the J-Curve: Gradually reduce chemical inputs while supporting microbial abundance.
- Leverage Microalgae: Use microalgae to kickstart microbial growth and nurture the soil microbiome.
- Monitor Soil Health: Track indicators like water retention, microbial activity, and tree stress.
- Build Resilience: Focus on practices that improve soil aggregation and water management to withstand extreme weather.
Watch the Pistachio Soil Health Webinar
Join Justin Wylie and Amy Rial for an insightful conversation about Justin’s focus on soil health in his transition to sustainable, regenerative farming practices on his pistachio orchards.
“Whether you’re conventional, organic, or regenerative, you need to know your own soil.”
Justin’s story is a roadmap for growers navigating the transition to regenerative agriculture. From avoiding production losses to building resilience, his journey offers valuable lessons for pistachio farmers and growers everywhere.
To hear more about Justin’s experience and learn how MyLand’s System can support your farm, watch the full webinar.