FoA 249: A Global Perspective on Tree Nuts with The Almond Doctor

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thanks to the</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">FieldWork</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">podcast for sponsoring this episode. Visit</span> <a href= "http://www.fieldwork.org"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">www.FieldWork.org</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">to learn more. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">David Doll is the General Manager of Rota Unica Agriculture based in Portugal. He grew up on a direct-to-consumer apple and peach orchard in southern Indiana, then got a master’s degree in plant pathology from UC Davis. After a decade as a farm advisor for the University of California focused on tree nuts, he took on his current role of moving to Portugal to manage a large-scale diversified tree crop operation there. On top of all of that, he writes what I think is probably the most in-depth blog dedicated to just one crop that I’ve ever seen at</span> <a href="http://www.thealmonddoctor.com"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The Almond Doctor</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. I’ve really appreciated interacting with David online and in the FoA community. I think you’re going to really enjoy his perspective here today. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em>“I think everyone would say the same thing, but you have to be able to be willing to know what your shortfalls are, be honest with yourself and then throw in the extra effort in order to pick yourself up. I'll be honest, I never thought I would ever be negotiating a loan that's probably more money than I'll ever earn in my life.</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>But you know, you walk in, you do it and you learn a few things along the way and move on.” - David Doll</em></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">David shares his experience in going from managing an operation with a $250,000 annual budget to his current operation with more than a $80 million budget. His employer felt that he could be taught the finances overtime but needed to come prepared wit