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.
Eligibility
- 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 250 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.
Eligibility
- 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
Raisin Tray Rebate
The Raisin Tray Rebate option provides rebates to Valley raisin growers to help support the deployment of non-burning alternatives for the disposition of raisin trays.
Incentive
| Total Farmed Acreage |
Rebate |
| 100 acres or less |
$35 per acre of raisin trays |
| Greater than 100 acres |
$35 per acre up to $2,000 per applicant |
*The final rebate amount may be reduced if the final invoiced amount is less than the maximum incentive amount.
Eligibility
- Rebates are available for the disposal of raisin trays at local disposal sites through self-hauling or third-party hauling services.
- Rebates are funded based on the number of acres associated with the raisin tray disposal.
- Rebates are available for the 2023 harvest season to assist in the transition to non-burning alternatives. Rebate applications will be accepted through March 31, 2024.
- No portion of the raisin trays can be burned, or disposed of in any type of combustion process, prior to or after submission of the rebate application.
- Waste, other than the raisin trays, cannot be included in the waste hauling services being submitted with the rebate application.
- The vineyard associated with the raisin trays must be located within the SJVAPCD boundaries.
Program Process
- Rebate applications will be accepted and funded on a first come, first served basis.
- After the completion of the disposal, applicant may apply for a rebate by submitting a complete rebate application to the SJVAPCD which includes all invoices for the hauling and/or disposal services used.
- The SJVAPCD will issue a rebate approximately 60 working days following receipt and verification of a complete rebate packet. The rebate amount cannot exceed 100% of the total disposal cost.
- Rebates will be issued pending the availability of funds. The SJVAPCD does not guarantee the availability of rebate funds. A complete rebate packet must be submitted for rebate consideration.
