California Air Resources Board

On October 21, 2019, CARB's Executive Officer approved modifications to existing project categories and an additional project category within the FARMER Program, as summarized below.  

• Modified Category for Zero-Emission Agricultural UTVs: Under the existing program, there were not any opportunities to replace tractors less than 25 horsepower through FARMER.  With this modification, the eligibility criteria has been expanded to allow tractors with less than 25 horsepower to be replaced with zero-emission UTVs since tractors less than 25 horsepower typically do the job of UTVs.  Additionally, zero-emission UTV models must have, at a minimum, a 1-year manufacturer warranty in order to be eligible for funding and the maximum incentive limit is $13,500 or 75 percent, whichever is less.  
• Modified Category for Heavy-Duty Agricultural Trucks: The Heavy-Duty Agricultural Truck project category was added to the FARMER Program in September 2018 and includes opportunities to fund used, replacement trucks meeting the 2010 oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission standard of 0.20 grams per brake horsepower-hour. This modified category sets the mileage limit for used Class 7 trucks based on the intended service class of the engine installed.
• Modified Category for the Off-Road Mobile Agricultural Equipment Trade-Up (Ag Trade-Up) Pilot Project: The Ag Trade-Up Pilot Project is an existing project category for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to administer, while CARB and district staff assess the feasibility of this project category as a new incentive model. Based on feedback received, staff modified the participant and vehicle eligibility criteria to allow the purchase of a warranty as an eligible cost with the repairs for the reconditioned equipment, increased the maximum hour limit on used equipment to 10,000 hours, prohibited trade-up transactions from occurring within fleets, and increased the minimum cost share requirement to $2,500 for the participant receiving the reconditioned equipment.
• Additional Category for Advanced Technology Demonstration Projects: Some advanced technology vehicles and equipment need field demonstrations to test the vehicle or equipment’s viability or determine whether it can serve the same function and perform the same work as the vehicle or equipment it would replace. Demonstrations of sustainable farming solutions that encompass advanced technology vehicles, equipment, and supporting infrastructure at a farm may also be needed. Under this new project category, districts may develop and fund demonstration projects, with CARB approval, without a requirement to scrap existing vehicles or equipment.

These project categories are available for funding immediately.  For more information on these project categories, download the resource document.