How We Grow

2019 May/June How We Grow

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9 Sustainability and Environmental Affairs at ABC. "Almond acreage has more than doubled in 15 years and that means harvest dust is becoming more noticeable to Central Valley residents." Ludwig notes that low-dust incentive programs provide a win- win solution for growers and their neighbors while advancing the almond community toward achieving its 2025 harvest dust reduction goal. In addition to the NRCS low-dust program, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (Air District) recently launched a low-dust nut harvester replacement program. In that pilot program, growers are eligible for incentive funding at 50% of the costs for approved low-dust equipment. Jesse Roseman, senior specialist in Environmental and Regulatory Affairs at ABC, said both NRCS and Air District programs have received strong support from the Almond Board. "An NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant project utilizing ABC-funded research methods helped establish the original NRCS low-dust program," Roseman said. "ABC, along with the Air District, also co-funded the research that led the District to establish that pilot program, which initially provides $1 million for incentive funding." Roseman notes that while all Air District funding has been allocated to date, he encourages growers to contact the Air District to enroll in the program in case more incentive funding becomes available. Eligible growers in both the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys are also encouraged to apply for the NRCS program, which still has available funds. As for Pitts, she said she has no regrets about participating in the NRCS program and hopes that more growers will take advantage of low- dust equipment incentive programs. "We did it because we want to do our part to clean the air," Pitts said. "We also did it because it makes good economic sense. Farmers are price-takers — not makers — and all costs are going up. Taking advantage of incentives is key to help offset rising costs." Pitts (center) and field supervisors Ben Tickenoff (left) and Javier Maldonado (right) stand with their new low-dust harvester. "We did it because we want to do our part to clean the air. We also did it because it makes good economic sense. Farmers are price-takers — not makers — and all costs are going up. Taking advantage of incentives is key to help offset rising costs." – Justine Pitts

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