The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District received $108 million from the state Legislature earlier this year to reduce agriculture industry emissions.

The program is dubbed FARMER and it provides incentives for replacing old, high-polluting tractors and other ag equipment with newer and cleaner options.

The incentives cover up to 60% of the eligible costs and require that the old tractors get crushed.

GV Wire attended a recent tractor crushing in Fresno. (Click on the video above to view it.)

“Agriculture is essential to the success of the San Joaquin Valley. The district will continue working with Valley growers (and many federal and state) agencies to keep moving forward with clean air efforts and investments in the San Joaquin Valley,” said Samir Sheikh, the district’s executive director and air pollution control officer.

Said California Air Resources Board Chair Mary D. Nichols: “Instead of waiting for their equipment to wear out, this program makes it possible for farmers to upgrade right now and replace older, dirtier equipment with the latest and cleanest models. That will go a long way to helping improve air quality in the Valley and protect public health.”

Further information is available from the air district’s Fresno office (559-230-6000), Modesto (209-557-6400) or Bakersfield (661-392-5500) or view the FARMER fact sheet.