Manure Manager

News
Workshops to help farmers apply for funds


May 25, 2009  by  Marg Land

May 25, 2009 – A series of workshops will be held in the next few weeks
to update farmers about a new program to help reduce air quality
emissions.

May 25, 2009 – A series of workshops will be held in the next few weeks to update farmers about a new program to help reduce air quality emissions.

Fifteen workshops are scheduled in various areas throughout California, beginning May 27 in Fresno and concluding on June 16 in Stockton. A complete list of workshops is below.

The cost-share program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as part of a new air quality provision of the 2008 Federal Farm Bill, provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Under the program, agricultural producers can apply for cost-share funds to replace, re-power, or retrofit existing combustion engines. The deadline to apply is June 26, 2009.

Advertisement

Producers in 36 California counties are eligible to use the funds to help reduce ozone and particulate matter emissions. Priority will be given to replacing older, higher-polluting engines with newer, reduced-emission technology engines that meet or exceed current emission standards. Stationary, portable and heavy-duty off-road mobile systems are eligible.

Other eligible practices to reduce fugitive dust (particulate matter) include conservation tillage, harvest activities, precision pest control and manure injection. Up to $22 million is available for this program. In addition, certain regional Air Pollution Control Districts may provide co-funding opportunities.

The workshops will provide detailed information and applications for the program.

Representatives from the USDA’s NRCS and Farm Service Agencies, regional Air Districts, agricultural associations and farm equipment dealers will be at each workshop to answer questions and help producers determine if they are eligible for the program.

For complete details, visit www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/2009.

Agriculture Air Quality Workshops

May 27

  • 9 a.m. –Thomason Tractor, 985 12th St., Firebaugh
  • 2 p.m. – Fresno County Farm Bureau, 1274 W. Hedges Ave., Fresno
  • 6 p.m. – Madera County Fairgrounds, Van Alen Hall, 1850 W. Cleveland Ave., Madera

May 29

  • 9 a.m. – Kern Ag Pavilion, 3300 E. Belle Terrace, Bakersfield
  • 2 p.m. – Tulare County Ag Commissioner/UCCE Auditorium, 4437 S. Laspina, Tulare

June 2

  • 10 a.m. – San Mateo County Fairgrounds, EXPO Cafe, 2495 S. Delaware St, San Mateo
  • 3 p.m. – Sonoma County Farm Bureau, 970 Piner Rd., Santa Rosa

June 3

  • 8 a.m. – Yuba-Sutter County Fairgrounds, Franklin Hall, 442 Franklin Ave., Yuba City

June 4

  • 2 p.m. – El Dorado County Ag Building, 311 Fair Lane, Placerville

June 8

  • 1 p.m. – U.C. Coop Extension, Ventura, 669 County Square Drive, #100, Ventura

June 9

  • 1:30 p.m. – Riverside County Farm Bureau, 21160 Box Springs Rd., Ste. 102, Moreno Valley

June 10

  • 8 a.m. – Imperial County Farm Bureau, 1000 Broadway, El Centro

June 16

  • 8 a.m. – Merced County Farm Bureau, 646 S. Highway 59, Merced
  • 1 p.m. – Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, 1201 L St., Modesto
  • 5:30 p.m. – San Joaquin County Farm Bureau, 3290 N. Ad Art Rd., Stockton

Advertisement

Stories continue below

Print this page

Related