Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) is a statewide program that provides incentive funding through local air districts for agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations. Through the program, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) has funded the replacement of approximately 900 old, high‑emitting agricultural tractors with new low emission agricultural tractors since November 2018. SJVAPCD has also provided vouchers for over 1,500 zero-emission utility terrain vehicles (UTV), totaling more than $17 million since November 2018.
The SJVAPCD has successfully used the FARMER program to complement its own regulatory control measures by achieving additional emission reductions, especially from emission sources in disadvantaged and low-income communities and areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution. Growers in the San Joaquin Valley are able to buy new equipment— such as Flory’s harvester (pictured) manufactured in the San Joaquin Valley—for up to 60 percent less than they would be able to without the program. The new equipment is not only more efficient, but is some of the cleanest available and will reduce its impact on air quality.
“Feels like Christmas came early on the farm,” said Paul Stanfield of Summerfield Farms LLC, who used the program to replace three tractors. These tractors will reduce more than 24 tons of criteria pollutant and toxic air contaminant emissions over 10 years. “We’re doing our part to replace old equipment with clean air technology. This tractor is already at work in our walnut orchards, prepping ground for leveling,” said Stanford.
San Joaquin Valley farmers can also receive up to 75 percent of the cost to replace their existing combustion-powered UTVs with a new, 100 percent electric UTV.
Don Cameron, vice president of Terranova Ranch, Inc., replaced 14 of his combustion UTV’s with zero-emission UTVs. Cameron says he “appreciates the partnership the SJV APCD has with agriculture to move to more environmentally friendly on farm equipment.”
In five years, these new UTVs will eliminate more than three tons of criteria pollutant and toxic air contaminant emissions.