May 17, 2019
Nut Harvest on the Horizon: Funds Available to Replace Nut Harvest Equipment
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District offers monetary incentives for farmers to replace existing nut harvesters (harvest equipment) with new, low dust harvest equipment. The Low Dust Nut Harvester Program is available for participants and harvest equipment that meet certain eligibility criteria. The two most important criteria are: (1) the replacement harvest equipment must reduce particulate matter emissions (i.e., dust) by at least 40 percent over conventional harvesting equipment as demonstrated by peer-reviewed information or District-approved methodology; and (2) an applicant may not already be under contract to receive other public agency funding for the same harvest equipment sought to be replaced, including California Natural Resources Conservation Service funding. Importantly, both pull-behind and self-propelled harvest equipment are eligible for replacement through the Program. With almond harvest beginning as early as August, and pistachio and walnut harvest in September, farmers may be able to reap their years’ worth of efforts with new harvest equipment partially funded (via reimbursement) through the Program. … Read More Written by Alyson E. Ackerman