Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program

Other Grant Programs

Program Overview

The Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program provides incentives to utilize an alternative practice for the disposition of agricultural material from orchard/vineyard removals as an alternative to open burning. In addition, the Program provides incentives for the purchase of new agricultural wood-chipping equipment to chip orchard and vineyard removals located within the San Joaquin Valley. Complete applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis while funds are available.

Orchard/Vineyard Removal

Apply Submit Claim Application Status

Resources

Fleet Expansion

The Fleet Expansion program is currently oversubscribed and is no longer accepting new applications.

Orchard/Vineyard Removal

The orchard/vineyard removal option provides incentives to commercial agricultural operations located within District boundaries to chip agricultural material from orchard and vineyard removals and use for soil incorporation (whole orchard/vineyard recycling), on-site land application on agricultural land, off-site beneficial re-use (mulch, composting, land application near roadways for dust suppression, and other District approved beneficial re-use of the chipped material). Additionally, this option provides incentives for the use of air curtain burners, which may only be used to dispose of material with embedded wire, such as cordon (spur) pruned vineyard material.

Incentive

Project Type	Orchards	Cane-Pruned Vineyard	Cordon-Pruned Vineyard
Chipping with soil incorporation (discing/ripping/whole orchard recycling)	$600 per acre	$800 per acre	$1,300 per acre
Chipping without soil incorporation (land application of mulch or other on-site practices)	$300 per acre	$500 per acre	$1,000 per acre
Air Curtain Burner (only for material with embedded wire, such as cordon-pruned vineyard)	$1,000 per acre	Ineligible	$1,000 per acre
Off-site beneficial re-use (mulching/composting/land application near roadways for dust suppression)	$600 per acre	$800 per acre	$1,300 per acre

Additional incentive of $400/acre is provided for each incentive category to agricultural operations with 100 total acres or less within the San Joaquin Valley

* Final incentive may be less than the maximum incentive if the total eligible cost for the project is less than the maximum incentive or if the final project differs from the project as listed on the executed voucher.

Eligibilty

Eligible crop types include orchard and vineyard removals as defined in Section 3.25 and 3.38 of District Rule 4103 (Open Burning)
Only commercial agricultural operations are eligible to apply
The agricultural material must be used for soil incorporation, on-site land application, off-site beneficial re-use, or air curtain burners, which may only be used to dispose of material with embedded wire such as cordon (spur) pruned vineyard material
Grower must certify the continued agricultural use of property from which the orchard or vineyard was removed
Total funding per entity shall not exceed 500 acres per calendar year

Program Process

Applicant submits complete application packet to District staff through application portal (Click “Apply”)
District staff notifies Applicant if application is incomplete
Pre-inspection by District staff
District staff issues Voucher to applicant
Applicant completes the project and pays in full
Applicant submits a claim for payment packet to District to request reimbursement
Post-inspection by District staff
Reimbursement is provided by the District, typically within sixty (60) working days

Fleet Expansion

The fleet expansion option provides incentives for the purchase of new agricultural wood-chipping equipment to chip orchard and vineyard removals located within the San Joaquin Valley. Eligible participants would include chipping and shredding contractors with demonstrated experience in providing services for the chipping of agricultural material and large farming companies that provide chipping services to other agricultural operations (with a commitment to offer services).

Incentive

Eligible Equipment	Maximum Incentive
New wood chippers, grinders and other equipment specifically designed for the purpose of processing woody ag waste	65% of the Eligible Cost of the New Equipment

Funding Cap: $2,000,000.00 per entity

* The final funding amount may be reduced if the final invoiced amount for the new equipment is less than the maximum incentive amount.

Eligibilty

Only contractors or large farming operations that have demonstrated experience handling woody agricultural materials are eligible to apply
Wood-chipping equipment intended for non-agricultural purposes are not eligible for funding
New equipment must have an engine that meets the most recent California emissions standard (Tier 4)
Must operate new equipment 100% of the time in support of agricultural operations located within the San Joaquin Valley

Program Process

Applicant submits a complete application packet to District staff (via mail, email, or fax)
District staff notifies Applicant if incomplete or complete
District will issue agreement to Applicant via mail or email
Agreement is executed when all parties have signed. Applicant has 12 months from date on agreement to purchase new equipment
Applicant purchases new equipment on agreement and submits claim for payment
Post-inspection by District staff
Reimbursement is provided by the District, typically within sixty (60) working days