In the heart of California, the San Joaquin Valley is a region where agriculture is not just an industry but a way of life for many. CARB’s Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures Emissions Reductions (FARMER) Program funds transformative initiatives that foster the adoption of innovative farming techniques, integrating advanced agricultural technologies, and promote community engagement and has been making monumental steps towards more sustainable agriculture across the valley.
The San Joaquin Valley faces some of the most challenging air quality issues in the nation. To address these challenges and work towards meeting ambient air quality standards, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD), along with agricultural industry stakeholders and other federal, state, and local agencies, has been working to reduce GHG emissions while providing cost‑effective criteria pollutant reductions in the region. Through the process of program implementation and incentive contributions, the FARMER Program has also evolved beyond merely providing financial support to the area farmers; it has transformed into a flourishing partnership with the agricultural community.
Since 2018, the launch of this journey in creating a more sustainable agricultural environment, history has already been made. In November 2023, representatives of the FARMER program, SJVAPCD, Natural Resources Conservation Services, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 came together to sign a proclamation in celebration of their huge achievement of successful efforts in reducing agricultural air pollutants. The proclamation emphasizes the milestone of achieving over 11 tons per day of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission reductions in 2024. This accomplishment could not have occurred without the collaboration among the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program (Carl Moyer Program), FARMER, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, Targeted Airshed Grant, and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Agricultural stakeholders along with SJVAPCD, partnering agencies, local elected officials, and representatives with the signed proclamation.
Through this collaborative commitment, the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural industry turned over and scrapped over 12,800 pieces of older agricultural equipment which had little to no emissions control. The accelerated turnover rate of older agricultural equipment has been achievable with the help of significant funding from programs like FARMER, the Carl Moyer Program, and EQIP. The combination of public and private investments totaled about $1.6 billion since 2015.
Liane Randolph, Chair of CARB, emphasized the significance of transitioning to cleaner equipment in the region at the proclamation’s signing. “The agricultural sector in the San Joaquin Valley is an economic powerhouse for the state. Moving towards the cleanest available technology in this sector continues to be critical to improving the air in the Valley. We all have a role to play in building a healthier, more sustainable California, and today's event shows what we can achieve when we work together,” she said at the event. The proclamation highlights the ongoing commitment of FARMER and the other funding programs to building a healthier California one region at a time.
As the FARMER Program celebrates this milestone, the program doesn’t stop there. The program's legacy extends beyond the Central Valley, influencing state‑level policies and inspiring similar initiatives across California. “The District applauds the leadership of local and state legislators, as well as Valley farmers in recognizing the public health and climate benefits provided throughout California from clean air investments,” said Samir Sheikh, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer for SJVAPCD. Looking forward, the FARMER Program will continue its commitment to creating a sustainable future for agriculture by innovating and incorporating new and improved techniques and cleaner technologies.