As part of our general Carl Moyer Program solicitations, the Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program provides funding through local air districts for agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations. Since its implementation, CARB has allocated $8.5 million to South Coast AQMD to implement the FARMER Program.
Applicants must submit a statement indicating that equipment in application is used exclusively in agricultural operations. A piece of equipment that is used for both agricultural and non-agricultural operations is eligible only if over half of its annual operating hours are for agricultural operations. “Agricultural operations” are defined consistent with title 13, CCR, section 2449(c)(1), as follows:
“Agricultural operations” means (1) the growing or harvesting of crops from soil (including forest operations) and the raising of plants at wholesale nurseries, but not retail nurseries), or the raising of fowl or animals for the primary purpose of making a profit, providing a livelihood, or conducting agricultural research or instruction by an educational institution, or (2) agricultural crop preparation services such as packinghouses, cotton gins, nut hullers and processors, dehydrators, and feed and grain mills. Agricultural crop preparation services include only the first processing after harvest, not subsequent processing, canning, or other similar activities. For forest operations, agricultural crop preparation services include milling, peeling, producing particleboard and medium density fiberboard, and producing woody landscape materials.”
Agriculture projects fall into two distinct categories:
Agriculture projects fall into two distinct categories: 1) repower existing equipment with an emission-certified engine, 2) replacement of an older, fully functional piece of equipment (that is to be scrapped) by a vehicle with an engine certified as meeting the current off-road emission standards, or cleaner. Further details of these project categories are described below:
Engine repowers are commonly diesel-to-diesel repowers and significant NOx and PM benefits are achieved due to the higher emission levels of the engine being replaced. Funding is not available for projects where a spark-ignition engine (i.e., natural gas, gasoline, etc.) is replaced with a diesel engine. New engines manufactured under the “Flexibility Provisions for Equipment Manufacturers” are ineligible for funding to repower equipment.
The purchase of new or used equipment with an engine certified to the current emission standard (Tier 4 Final) or zero emission technology to replace an older, fully functional piece of equipment that is to be scrapped. Projects with baseline and replacement diesel and spark-ignition engines greater than or equal to 25 horsepower on mobile or portable off-road equipment and stationary agricultural equipment are eligible. Mobile agricultural tractor projects with baseline diesel and spark-ignition engines greater than or equal to 20 horsepower are also eligible when replaced with zero-emission. Funding is not available for projects where a spark-ignition engine (e.g., a propane or gasoline engine) is replaced with a diesel engine.
How to Apply:
Please check our main webpage http://aqmd.gov/moyer regularly for updates on future funding opportunities and solicitations and/or sign-up for our e-newsletter to receive information on incentive programs.
Useful Links and Resources:
For additional CMP information on Off-Road Equipment, please email carlmoyer@aqmd.gov