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The Valley air district has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds to help farmers upgrade tractors to newer, cleaner burning machines. But despite hefty grants, the programs are inaccessible to many small farmers, and ag equipment still contributes to the Valley’s smog problem.
Even with $220 million in financial incentives, growers are wondering how they’ll afford whole orchard recycling in the long term–especially small farmers, who have fewer resources to begin with.
Air District $$ Aid Ag Dust Reduction Program Agricultural operators Valley-wide are invited to apply for grants to purchase low dust harvesters and reduce PM10 (particulate matter 10 microns and smaller) emissions which result from nut harvesting activities in the San Joaquin Valley. With funding awarded by the U.S. EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) Targeted Air Shed Grant Program and CARB (California Air Resources Board) the District is making available $12.5 million for Valley growers to replace older harvesting equipment with new, low-dust technology. “This prog...