Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1268831
increased nitrogen use efficiency during the life of the orchard since there's about 400 lbs. per acre of this nutrient in the wood chips that's not released until they decompose, which pretty much happens over seven years of the orchard's lifetime." Funds available for Whole Orchard Recycling Growers now have access to three separate incentive funding programs to help offset the cost of WOR. "With recognition of the wide-ranging environmental benefits associated with Whole Orchard Recycling, such as improved soil structure, increased water use efficiency and carbon sequestration, federal, state and regional agencies have made millions of dollars available in grant funding for growers to implement this practice," said Jesse Roseman, ABC's principal analyst in Environmental and Regulatory Affairs. "Orchards nearing the end of their productive lifespans provide the perfect opportunity for growers to conduct Whole Orchard Recycling." CDFA recently added WOR to the list of approved practices within its Healthy Soils Program, 2 which will award a total of $25.2 million to California farmers for a variety of soil-improving practices in the current year of grant funding. While the initial round of funding closed in May 2020, applications for the next round will be announced at a later date and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis (be sure to stay tuned for future ABC communications to learn more). Grower Mike Curry of Johnson Farms in Denair took advantage of WOR incentive funding available through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District 3 in 2019. This program provides up to $600 per acre and a maximum of $60,000 per applicant per year for growers who are located within the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin. "It's very simple paperwork – it's pretty straightforward," Curry said, adding that growers who have applied for Air District funding to assist either with the purchase of low-dust harvesting equipment or to replace diesel pumps will find the application and verification process much simpler. Finally, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also provides incentive funding for WOR through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) 4 and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). 5 Growers can contact Roseman to learn more about Whole Orchard Recycling incentive funding programs offered by CDFA, the Air District and NRCS at jroseman@almondboard.com. 2 www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/incentivesprogram.html 3 www.valleyair.org/grants/alt-ag-burning.htm 4 www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ca/air/quality/?cid=nrcs144p2_064213 5 www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp/ WOR Research Down the Road In addition to the WOR trial site established in 2009 at the Kearney Research and Extension Center, WOR trials were established in private orchards in Kern, San Joaquin and Fresno counties in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. These trials are testing the effects of WOR in different soils and studying the impacts to soil health, greenhouse gas emissions and tree growth in orchards where WOR is used versus exporting whole biomass from the field. Continued research also seeks to better understand nitrogen use efficiency, while also monitoring nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions, soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, and soil health indicators in the years following WOR. More information about continued research and the benefits of WOR is available from UC Davis at OrchardRecycling.UCDavis.edu. The Iron Wolf, a 50-ton rock crusher capable of removing two acres per day, was used in 2008 for the WOR research trial at the Kearney Research and Extension Center. Equipment specifically designed for orchard removal today can grind 15-20 acres per day. A typical orchard grinder today can create a more refined material compared to the larger chunks produced by the Iron Wolf. Wood chips from a recycled orchard are spread on the ground prior to an almond orchard replant. Research from UC Davis found that orchards planted using WOR produced higher yields. 10