California San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Burn Alternatives Grant Program

The Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program provides incentives to chip or shred agricultural material from orchard/vineyard removals as an alternative to the open burning of the agricultural materials. 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.

The orchard/vineyard removal option provides incentives to commercial agricultural operations located within Valley Air District boundaries to chip or shred agricultural material from orchard/vineyard removals. The material must be used for soil incorporation or land application on grower property or off-site on other agricultural land. Chipped material may also be for other off-site beneficial re-use as an alternative to the open burning of the agricultural materials.

• Eligible crop types include orchard and vineyard removals

• Only commercial agricultural operations are eligible to apply

• The agricultural material must be for soil incorporation or land application on grower property or District approved off-site beneficial re-use

• Grower must certify the continued agricultural use of property from which the orchards was removed

• Grower must be located within the San Joa

Incentive is provided in a range of $300 - $1,300 per acre depending on the type of orchard and planned use of the resulting material.

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

Interested Applicants must submit a complete application packet to the District via the mail, email, fax, or web portal options below:

Mail: 1990 East Gettysburg Avenue Fresno, CA 93726-0244 

Fax: (559) 230-6112

Email: grants@valleyair.org

Web Portal: http://valleyair.org/grants/alt-ag-burning.htm

A complete application includes:

• Completed and signed Application (below)

• IRS Form W-9

• Confirmation of crop/acreage and location of orchard/vineyard removal site

  • i.e. site map, google map, assessor’s map

• Dated and itemized quote from service provider(s) for the planned activities

  • The quote must provide an itemized breakdown, including specific information and associated costs with pruning/wire/support removal (vineyards), pushing/piling, chipping/shredding, spreading, soil incorporation (ripping/discing), hauling (beneficial re-use), move-in fees, and any additional costs.

• Documentation of estimated costs by participating grower, if additional costs are beyond those on the quote(s) for contracted services. 

• Information Page

• Program Guidelines