it is open to all food processors in California.
In addition to FPIP, the FARMER program was recently
created at the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Ag Council and other agricultural advocates secured
the funding as part of the cap and trade negotiations
with Governor Jerry Brown and legislators last year.
FARMER is an acronym that stands for the “Funding
Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission
Reductions” Program. CARB anticipates monies will be
available for the newly developed program this summer
through California’s regional air districts.
The FARMER program will provide $135 million for
farmers to purchase cleaner burning heavy duty trucks,
harvesting equipment, agricultural pump engines, tractors
and other ag equipment. The funds for FARMER derive
from cap and trade proceeds — paid for by entities in
the cap and trade program — as well as from other air
quality and vehicle funds within CARB.
Given the considerable air quality challenges and
resulting heath impacts in the San Joaquin Valley,
80 percent of the funding – $108 million – will be
distributed by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution
Control District to farmers in that region. The application
process opens for the FARMER program this summer.
Just as in farming, we cannot always predict the
outcomes from our policy work in Sacramento. We
are pleased however, that sometimes our hard work
pays off.
Emily Rooney,
President,
Agricultural
Council of
California
solid
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ayne
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abrication
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Sales: Jennifer (661) 746-6242
(661) 203-5544
• 6", 8" and 10" Length
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Resists Corrosion
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in All Soil Types
• Reduce Labor
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compared to Using Plain
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Avoid
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MADE IN
USA
2 7
M A Y – J U N E 2 0 1 8
