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

Per the April 2026 (Rev. 4/16) Program Guidelines, the orchard/vineyard removal incentive is based on acreage removed and the final disposition of the material, with total funding per entity capped at 100 acres per calendar year. Large growers (more than 500 acres): Soil Incorporation $400/$450/$700 per acre (Orchard/Cane Pruned/Cordon Pruned), Land Application $200/$250/$500, Air Curtain Burner (diseased material or embedded wire only) $600/$500/$500, Off-site Beneficial Re-use $400/$450/$700. Small growers (101-500 acres): Soil Incorporation $450/$560/$850, Land Application $250/$250/$600, Air Curtain Burner $750/$600/$600, Off-site Beneficial Re-use $450/$560/$850. Smallest growers (100 acres or less): Soil Incorporation $800/$900/$1,200, Land Application $550/$675/$900, Air Curtain Burner $1,200/$1,100/$1,100, Off-site Beneficial Re-use $800/$900/$1,200. Final incentive may be reduced if actual project costs are lower than the maximum incentive. Separately, the purchase of new agricultural wood-chipping equipment is funded at 65% of the eligible cost of the new equipment, up to a funding cap of $2,000,000 per entity.

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. 

• April 2026 Program Guidelines & Application (PDF)

• Steps for Reimbursement

• Air Curtain Burner Claim Packet

• Orchard Claim Packet

• Vineyard Claim Packet

• Diseased Agricultural Material Form

• Orchard/Vineyard Removal Contractor List

• Annual Reporting Project Log

• Application Status Portal