Dear friends and colleagues,
For the past ten years, I have worked within Merced County focusing on tree nut production within California. Much of the effort was focused on extending relevant research based practices to industry members within California and conducting research that would help solve problems within the region. Over the years, my research program within the County has been broad – with projects on maximizing water application, managing replant problems within almonds, and a variety of smaller projects within horticultural, disease, and general agronomy. All of these plots were conducted within farmers fields, in which I am grateful for the local collaboration.
Recently, I have decided to take a position within farm development and leave my position within extension. This role will start in mid-November and will be responsible for developing a diversified specialty crop farm from the ground up. My new home base will be Evora, Portugal, which is about an two hours outside of Lisbon. As one could imagine, this was a difficult decision for me -the hardest decision I have made in my life. I have been blessed with wonderful colleagues and farmers, all whom have become friends over the past 10+ years. I will miss the interactions that we had through interactions within the County and at Industry event.
With this departure, I still hope to assist the industry. I plan to continue “The Almond Doctor” to provide insight to a variety of aspects of almond production. I would imagine that topics may have a different tone, and a redesign is planned. Regardless, I look forward to continuing the effort within this platform and hope it will provide assistance for the future.
Thank you for you understanding through this period of transition. I look forward to seeing all of you at the various industry events.
Wishing you the best and thank you for your support,
David
PEDRO
November 9, 2018CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LOOK, DAVID.
BEST REGARDS
EN ESPAÑOL PARA QUE VAYAS PRACTICANDO ESPAÑOL Y PORTUGUES,
ENHORABUENA Y MUCHA SUERTE, NOS VEREMOS POR AQUÍ,
UN ABRAZO, PEDRO FROM SEVILLA, SPAIN
David Doll
November 10, 2018Gracias Pedro, Hope to see you in Seville.
David
Jose
November 10, 2018Nos vemos en Portugal, saludos
David Doll
November 10, 2018Gracias,
Espero verte en Portugal.
David
Alec Earle
November 10, 2018David, Congratulations and best of luck to you and your family! Thank you for everything you’ve done for the almond industry and for us (E&S Farms) as we started our almond orchard 3 years ago.
David Doll
November 10, 2018Thank you Alec,
Hopefully your first yields turned out great. Being one of the first people to plant in your area, I knew it was a bit stressful. I am glad that I was able to help you with various aspects when you started.
Best of wishes,
David
Franz Niederholzer
November 10, 2018David: Thank you for all your have done for almond (and walnut and pistachio) growers in your 10 years with UCCE. Your leadership and enthusiasm has been tremendous and will be missed. All the best in Portugal. Franz
David Doll
November 10, 2018Thank you Franz. Feelings mutual – I will miss you as a colleague and a mentor.
David
Jeffrey Pacheco
November 10, 2018Hi David,
Sounds exciting! We will miss you and your advise very much!
Thanks all the support you have provided the Almond Industry the past 10 years!
Best Regards, Jeff
David Doll
November 10, 2018Thank you Jeff.
Best of wishes,
David
Barnaby Bowman
November 11, 2018Being one of many lurkers I am sure, I thank you for all the advice over the last decade… and am happy to hear the doctor is still in. Please be advised that Aerobotics is alive and well in Portugal also.
David Doll
November 11, 2018Thanks Barnaby,
I appreciate the kind words. hopefully, i will be a little more consistent over the next few months.
David
Alan McDonald
November 11, 2018At first sight I thought I was going to miss your posts, but am very pleased to say Welcome to Portugal – or as the locals put it Bem Vindo a Portugal.
Evora is not too far from me, being near Castelo Branco.
Alan McDonald.
David Doll
November 12, 2018Hello Alan,
I see – a few hours north. If I am in the area, I will let you know.
David
Pedro Branco - FUTURALMOND
November 11, 2018Best of luck David.
You will make a lot of friends around here. You wont regret this decision.
Anything you may need I’ll be happy to help you.
Best regards
David Doll
November 13, 2018Thank you Pedro.
I will let you know as I settle into my position.
David
Dan Guettinger
November 12, 2018Wow, bold move. Looks good on the map.
Congratulations, good luck, what a neat page in your life.
Dan.
David Doll
November 12, 2018Thanks Dan,
It definitely is a change of scenery! Wishing you the best.
David
Rod Walker
November 12, 2018David – Was a great run David & well done!! What a great adventure & opportunity for you & your wife! Hope to enjoy a bottle of good wine with you sometime in the future though! We have to track you down in Portugal sometime!
Safe travels! Rod
David Doll
November 13, 2018Thanks Rod. I have always enjoyed working with you over the years. I hope to see you again soon.
David
Mark Brady / Plant Food Systems
November 12, 2018David;
YOU WILL BE MISSED ! For these past years you have been a valuable resource not only to me, but to the entire tree nut industry. While your position may be filled, your void will not be. You are unique in your enthusiasm for your work and the humility in which you exchange thoughts with others.
Best wishes in your new position, may you be well accepted and embraced for your talents. You know what they say in Portugal; “Put a cork in it”, lol.
David Doll
November 13, 2018Thank you, Mark. I have always enjoyed and learned through our interactions. Thanks for your feedback over the years. Hope to see you around various CA events.
David
Rod Vilas
November 13, 2018Congratulations on the job opportunity. Thank you for all your advice and wisdom over the years. You will be missed around here. Although I’m glad to hear that you will continue with the website. This site has been a great avenue for research and trial findings, and above all, very knowledgeable and unbiased articles. Best of luck with your new endeavors!
David Doll
December 5, 2018Hey Rod,
Thanks for the words. I am hoping I can keep the site going in the same tone as in the past. My goal was for an open platform with a “no-strings attached” view on almond production.
Hope to see you around Merced on one of my trips home.
David
Navdeep Bains
November 16, 2018Thanks for all the feedback and advice over the years, as well as patience in answering my questions.
All the best in this exciting chapter of your life!
David Doll
December 5, 2018Navdeep,
It was a pleasure to work with and help you with your various operations. I hope we are able to meet on my next trip back to CA.
David
Juan
November 19, 2018David:
Muchísima suerte en tu nueva aventura, que sepas que ” iluminas” a muchos más apasionados de la arboricultura de lo que te imaginas, Almendros, pistachos…. Saludos de Juan desde Madrid.
David Doll
December 5, 2018Juan,
Gracias. Es bueno saber que pude ayudar. Espero verte en España.
David
Baris Babayigit
November 20, 2018Dear David,
Thanks for all you have done for Almond industry and for us as growers.We learned a lot from you over the years .. You will definitely be missed! You have been a valuable resource for all nut industry. I wish you best luck in your new position. By the way I am moving back to Turkey soon so, for any reason if you go to Turkey please let me know anything you may need there I will be happy to help you .
David Doll
December 5, 2018Thank you, Baris. I look forward to our paths crossing soon.
Wish you the best – and safe travels on your move back home.
David
Dan Sumner
November 28, 2018Dave:
Congratulations. Let’s stay in touch about nut economic issues. Dan
David Doll
December 5, 2018Thanks Dan. I am sure we can cook up a few projects from across the “pond.”
David
Ben
January 14, 2019David, how about some blog posts as updates on the work that you’re doing there. I could use some inspiration 🙂
David Doll
January 21, 2019Dear Ben,
I have some limitations on what I can write about in Portugal. As soon as I have these details worked out, I will share what I can.
Wish you the best,
David