Almond growers can help prove air quality advancements

Many almond growers and operations have taken advantage of government incentives to replace older equipment on their farms, thus helping to improve air quality. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of California is asking producers to help them prove the success of the agriculture industry in this endeavor.

Since 2008, NRCS California has invested approximately $200 million through their National Air Quality Initiative — part of their Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) — to help producers replace outdated equipment with cleaner ones. NRCS is asking producers who have replaced equipment through the program to help them show progress in meeting the industry’s goal of reducing emissions of nitrous oxides by 11 tons per day within the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD).

By taking a picture of the new equipment’s runtime and serial number or VIN, sending that information to their local NRCS field conservationist or partner technician, almond growers can anonymously assist NRCS in this effort. Agency representatives said they are looking to aggregate the information and show the total number of hours that cleaner equipment has run over time versus older polluters.

NRCS California officials are thankful to producers who have taken advantage of this program to help the industry reach this goal. They also remind producers that their agency never releases personal identifiable information without written consent. Again, NRCS is asking almond growers in the SJVAPCD who have replaced older equipment with NRCS incentive funding to work with their local NRCS field conservationist or partner technician. Growers can contact their local NRCS office for more information. The deadline to contribute to this reporting effort is November 16, 2022.

– Almond Board of California