Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Tag: SJVAPCD

  • Low-Dust Harvesting Now a Conservation Management Practice

    Growers required to have a Conservation Management Practice (CMP) plan in the San Joaquin Valley for dust reduction have received some favorable news. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) announced an update to their list of approved practices to reduce dust emissions, now including the use of low-dust harvesters.

    The SJVAPCD Conservation Management Practices, Rule 4550, was adopted in 2004. The purpose of the program is to reduce dust emissions, both PM10 and PM2.5, from agricultural sites. Growers with 100 acres or more in the district must provide a CMP plan, choosing to participate in dust-reducing practices across several categories. In April 2024, the SJVAPCD approved the addition of Low-Dust Nut Harvesters as an approved practice for the nut crops harvest category.

    Benefits of Low-Dust Harvesters

    Low-dust harvesters are designed to minimize the amount of particulate matter released into the air during the harvesting process. These machines employ advanced technologies that reduce the turbulence and agitation of soil and debris, which are primary sources of dust. The benefits of using these harvesters extend beyond regulatory compliance:

    • Improved Air Quality: Reduced dust emissions lead to better air quality, benefiting both agricultural workers and neighbors.
    • Enhanced Worker Health: Lower dust levels mean fewer respiratory issues and related health problems for farmworkers, promoting a safer working environment.
    • Environmental Impact: Decreasing dust emissions helps protect the local ecosystem, including plant and animal life that can be affected by poor air quality.
    Implementation and Cost Considerations

    Growers can take advantage of low-dust harvest technology by either contracting with a custom harvester who uses the equipment or replacing a conventional harvester or sweeper they currently use. For both options, there are incentive programs available to growers.

    If a grower is interested in purchasing low-dust harvest equipment, both NRCS and the SJVAPCD offer significant cost-share assistance to help purchase the equipment:

    • Through NRCS’s EQIP program to replace old in-use harvesting equipment, low-dust harvesters can receive up to $1,174.80 per horsepower (hp), while tractors and most other equipment can receive payments of $517.85 per brake horsepower (bhp) for 25-160 bhp and $806.60 per bhp for greater than 160 bhp.
    • Through the SJVAPCD’s program to replace conventional harvesters or sweepers, growers can receive 50% of the equipment cost and up to a maximum of $150,000 per unit. Growers can also apply for up to five pieces of equipment.

    If growers currently use or are interested in using a custom harvester that has low-dust equipment, USDA-NRCS offers a by-acre cost-share incentive to help pay for the practice at a rate of $66.82 per acre.

    For both incentive options, applications should be submitted well in advance of using or buying the equipment, and both programs also have several eligibility requirements. Contact your local San Joaquin Valley Air District Office or local NRCS office for more information. — By the Almond Board of California

  • Agricultural Organizations Demonstrate Alternatives to Agricultural Burning

    On June 29, Nisei Farmers League, along with other agricultural organizations, held an in-person demonstration pilot project at a vineyard in Madera County to display alternatives to agricultural burning. The project is looking for cost-effective solutions to orchard and vineyard removals due to most agricultural burning being phased out by December 31, 2024, as passed earlier this year by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

    Participating in the event were Jared Blumenfeld, Secretary of Cal-EPA; Carlos Suarez, State Conservationist for USDA-NRCS; Richard Corey, Executive Officer for California Air Resources Board; Samir Sheikh, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer for the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD); Dr. Tania Pacheco- Werner, CARB and SJVAPCD board member; Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes, as well as SJVAPCD board member; Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler, as well as SJVAPCD board member; and City of Los Banos Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Lewis, as well as SJVAPCD board member.

    Equipment demonstrated included:

    • An air curtain burner built by AirBurners. This machine utilizes a constant stream

      of air on the top of the wood waste to push emissions/smoke back into the fire to

      reburn, which significantly reduces particulate matter.

    • A horizontal grinder, provided by Bandit Industries, that chips wood debris and

      can remove metal, including wire, from the material.

    • A vineyard mulcher, built by Seppi, which drives over the top of the vine and

      mulches it back into the soil.

    • A mobile grinder that would grind trees, brush and vines (material that does not include metal.)

      Other equipment used in the demonstration process included excavators, tree grapple machines, and log and brush loading equipment.

      With some agricultural entities losing the ability to burn by December 31 of this year, finding economical alternatives quickly has become a top priority. Agricultural organizations are working with the SJVAPCD and CARB to locate and distribute funds for these alternative methods. All the demonstrated alternatives are many times more expensive than open burning because of the additional labor and equipment needed.

    Agricultural groups sponsoring the event included: Fresno County Farm Bureau; Allied Grape Growers; California Fresh Fruit Association; California Cotton Ginners and Growers; Western Agricultural Processors Association; and

    Nisei Farmers League. Other participating agricultural groups included: Sun-Maid Growers of California, Madera County Farm Bureau, Tulare County Farm Bureau, Raisin Bargaining Association and Milk Producers Council.

    Equipment being demonstrated was provided by Shawn Sage, Cal-Line Equipment and Bandit Enterprises; Ed Martinez, Mowbray’s Tree Service; John Yergat, JFS Enterprises; and Jordan Harris, Seppi Subsoiler. Special thanks to these companies and their employees.

    Local chippers and grinders participating included: Bill Boos of William Boos and Company; Lionudakis Orchard Removal; and Myron and Ryan Liebelt.

    Special thanks go to Samir Sheikh and his staff at the SJVAPCD for helping with the demonstration, the documentation and acquiring the funding needed to make the alternatives available to growers in the San Joaquin Valley.

    Lastly, a special thanks to Daniel Hartwig and Woolf Farms for providing the vineyard site.

    Nisei Farmers League will continue seeking viable alternative to agricultural burning over the coming months.