Eric Genzoli: Yes, almond farming has created 97,000 jobs and $21 billion

Re “Don’t Trust ‘facts’ from the Almond Board (Letters, Sept. 14): The writer takes issue with the statement that 97,000 jobs in the Central Valley are provided by the almond industry. This undeniable fact comes from an economic report issued by the highly regarded University of California Ag Issues Center. The report also notes almonds add $21 billion to the state’s economy. The full report can be found online at http://aic.ucdavis.edu/almonds/. As a fourth-generation, almond-farming family, we are proud of the role we play in providing a wholesome, nutritious food while contributing to the economic health of our local community. We have farmed in an environmentally friendly way for years and look forward to continuing to be a vibrant part of this area’s economic success for many years to come.

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 8:34 AM with the headline "Eric Genzoli: Yes, almond farming has created 97,000 jobs and $21 billion."