On Monday, December 17, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAD) will begin accepting applications from growers for two new incentive programs. The first program supports the purchase of qualifying harvesters that reduce particulate matter emissions — dust — by at least 40%. The second program provides funding to encourage alternatives, such as whole orchard recycling, to openly burning almond biomass generated from orchard removals. Both have an initial funding amount of $1,000,000 and are pilots, meaning that the information and experiences gathered from the program will be used to evaluate the potential for further funding and therefore encourage the increase of more widespread adoption of the practices and equipment.
These two programs also support the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals to reduce dust during harvest by 50% and to achieve zero waste in our orchards by putting everything we grow to optimal use. These goals were announced at The 2018 Almond Conference.
The District will process applications on a first-come, first-served basis, so interested individuals are encouraged to apply once the application window opens. Additional information and application forms will be available at ValleyAir.org/Grants under the “Business” section. Applicants who receive funding from the District for one of these projects may not be eligible to receive NRCS funding for that same project. However, unlike NRCS programs, the District’s programs do not have Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) caps.
Low-dust equipment program
The low-dust nut harvester program covers 50% of eligible equipment costs and is capped at one piece of new equipment per participant. The program is open to both growers and custom harvesters for purchase of any qualifying pull-behind or self-propelled equipment. If purchasing non-self-propelled harvesters, which constitute as the majority of the existing equipment inventory, the purchased harvester must be used in combination with at least a tier 3 engine tractor. The Tractor Replacement Program, which provides incentive funding for the replacement of in-use, off-road mobile equipment, is also available to those in need of a tractor upgrade.
This low-dust incentive program follows the completion of two Almond Board of California research studies requested by the District. The first study established emission factors for reductions of dust from new harvesters sold by the four major equipment manufacturers in the almond industry. The second surveyed the industry to develop an understanding of the existing harvester fleet and determine interest in a new incentive program that provides funding to support the purchasing of low-dust equipment.
Program for whole orchard recycling, and more
The program related to on-farm alternatives to the open burning of agricultural materials also builds on research partially funded by the Almond Board, which explores the impacts of chipping trees and incorporating the woody material into the soil. Benefits of this practice — known as whole orchard recycling — include increased soil organic matter content, microbial communities, stored carbon and water retention, potentially leading to increased yields in second-generation trees.
Due to necessary wait times for scheduling activities for whole orchard removal, chipping and incorporation into the soil, funding vouchers may be valid for 180 days after application approval. The District will provide incentive funding ranging from $300 to $600 per acre of agricultural material chipped and reincorporated, and is offering a maximum of $60,000 per recipient per year.
For more information on these incentive programs, contact Jacob Whitson with SJVAD at (559) 230-5800 or at Jacob.Whitson@ValleyAir.org.
