Cannon Michael, president and CEO of Bowles Farming Co., can trace his family’s farming roots back to the California Gold Rush when his great-great-great-grandfather immigrated from Germany and set up a butcher shop in San Francisco. This business evolved into a large, vertically integrated livestock operation that provided essential food to a growing California.
While much of the family land was sold over generations, some original holdings from the 1850s remain at the core of the current operation. Michael is the sixth generation of his family to be involved with the business. With a long history of stewardship, Bowles Farming Co. prioritizes conservation efforts on the land it owns and manages.
Bowles Farming Co. was recently named the 2024 California Leopold Conservation Award recipient for its commitment to conservation and sustainability. From responsible irrigation to cover crops and creating habitats more hospitable to native species, conservation is a priority for the company.
Bowles Farming Co. farms about 1,000 acres of almonds, pistachios and various row crops.
“Our first almonds were planted around 2012 or 2013 on I-5,” Michael says. “We were a little later into the game than some others, but we’ve had some success with our plantings since then.”
We asked Michael to talk with West Coast Nut about his approach to incorporating conservation into his company’s farming practices and other issues facing the tree nut industry.
Q. How did you get into farming?
In the 1960s, there was a significant split between two family groups. My side of the family went in one direction, and the other went in another. We’re farming land that we’ve had for over 160 years. The farm is the company. It owns a certain amount of land, but we manage more land for others than we own.
I was born and raised in San Francisco, but with my grandfather involved in running the farm, I often went with him to visit. I had a natural affinity for the farm. In high school, I worked on the farm doing irrigation and tractor driving.
When I was in college, my uncle and my great-uncle ran the farm, and there wasn’t a clear position for me. I moved to Atlanta, Ga. and spent about five years developing industrial real estate. My great-uncle developed a terminal illness in the late 1990s.
As the eldest in my generation, I loved the farm and was open to coming back to help the family. I returned and started at the very bottom, running our shop and spray program to learn the business from the ground up.
That eventually led to my leadership role. I became president in 2014 and implemented various initiatives, expanding our farm from growing about three crops to nearly 20. We now do both organic and conventional farming and have projects like a permitted compost center on the farm.
Q. Wetlands are a part of your land. How do you manage that?
The Grasslands Wildlife Management Area comprises state, federal and private land ownership, over 200,000 acres of wetland habitat. We own 650 acres under a perpetual easement to maintain wetlands, which we manage with the help of the State of California. We work with biologists to develop annual plans to maximize the benefits of these habitats. We also maintain riparian corridors and border the San Joaquin River.
Q. Your farm won the Leopold Award for sustainability. Can you talk about your sustainability and conservation initiatives?
Much of it stems from our farm’s unique ecological surroundings. We placed a seasonal wetland into a conservation easement to ensure it remains habitat in perpetuity. Conservation has always been part of our mindset.
Our fields’ natural shapes and settlement history preserved natural waterways and habitat areas. We initially worked with Audubon in 2012 to manage our alfalfa for bird habitat, but it was an eye-opener when they pointed out that invasive weeds had taken over. That experience led to partnerships with conservation groups like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy and Audubon. Together, we developed effective projects that balance conservation with farming.
Q. What are your sustainability and water practices for nut farming?
We have decent water rights, but we’ve faced shortages during droughts. Water is a critical input in farming, and we prioritize stewardship in our irrigation systems. Our nut crops use drip irrigation or micro sprinklers, tailored to soil conditions for optimal productivity while conserving water.
Q. How does regenerative farming play into what you’re doing?
Regenerative farming is an evolving concept. The California Department of Food and Agriculture recently defined it, but much of what we do aligns with those principles. We integrate livestock when possible and plant cover crops on about 10% to 15% of our land. However, arid California winters make widespread cover cropping challenging.
Our focus is on reducing inputs because California is an expensive place to farm. While we aim to minimize costs, crops still require essential nutrients and water.
Many regenerative farming ideas stem from the Midwest, but California’s Mediterranean climate requires different approaches. Almond growers can’t rely on rain-fed farming, so practices must be adapted.
Q. What’s your outlook on the tree nut market?
The past several years have been tough, especially for almonds. Since 2017, market prices have been below the cost of production, though we’re seeing an upswing. Most growers should average over $2 per pound for the 2024 crop. Stability above $2 per pound is a reasonable expectation.
Pistachios have fared better thanks to strong marketing efforts by groups like The Wonderful Company. However, the rapid expansion of pistachio acreage is a concern. Unlike almonds, pistachios are a 60-year crop and will likely remain planted even during downturns.
Q. What are the biggest changes in tree nut production over the past 25 years?
Fertility management has improved significantly. We’re introducing more cover crops and compost, aided by our permitted compost center, which supports California’s climate goals. We also work with startups like BeeFlow to enhance pollination.
Automation is another major shift. Orchards are well-suited for mechanization, and we expect further advancements in efficiency.
Q. What are the biggest assets of California’s tree nut industry?
Almonds are incredibly versatile, with a wide range of uses beyond just snacking. Groups like Blue Diamond, the Almond Board of California and the Almond Alliance play a crucial role in promoting the industry.
Pistachios have a narrower range of uses but are gaining traction as a snack nut. Long-term challenges exist, but overall, the market remains strong.
Q. How do you give back to your farming community?
Under my leadership, we’ve promoted employees into salaried leadership roles for the first time. We also offer scholarships, and some farm kids have gone on to earn PhDs or manage major businesses.
We provide school supplies for our workers’ children, ensuring they start the year with new backpacks, shoes and supplies. Supporting our farm community is deeply rewarding.
Q. What advice do you have for young people interested in farming?
Farming is challenging, but opportunities abound. Agriculture isn’t just about manual labor; there are careers in marketing, finance, technology and environmental science. Precision agriculture, drone technology and satellite imagery are revolutionizing the industry. There’s room for people with diverse skills to contribute to the future of farming.
