Cooperative Air Quality Workshops

COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

Good Planning Helps 1,200 Farmers Improve Air Quality

Location:

Project Summary: A series of agricultural air quality workshops were offered to San Joaquin Valley farmers to create Conservation Management Practice plans (CMPs).

Air Quality Coordinator John Beyer (right) helps Sanger, Calif. farmer John Young fill out conservation management practices forms at an air quality workshop. Photo: Brian Ziegler

Resource Challenge

All agriculture producers with 100 contiguous acres or more of land are required to implement and file a conservation management practices plan with the Air District for each crop they farm.

Examples of Key Partners

Natural Resources Conservation Service

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District

California Grape and Tree Fruit League

California Cotton Ginners and Growers

California Citrus Mutual

Nisei Farmers League

California Association of Resource Conservation Districts

county farm bureaus

Results and Accomplishments

At the workshops, growers received assistance from the NRCS in selecting the best practice for their operation and in filing a plan application with the Air District. Growers who submitted their CMP plan to the NRCS for verification of completeness received a 50 percent discount on the Air District application fee, a savings of $60 to $275 depending on the size of the operation. Over the course of two weeks, more than 1200 farmers have met with NRCS air quality personnel. Applications were reviewed by NRCS at the workshop and the Air Districts were on hand to file them.

Innovation/Highlight

Growers received a 50 percent discount on Air District applications when they submitted complete Conservation Management Practice plans to the NRCS for review and verification.

Project Contact

John Beyer
NRCS Air Quality Coordinator
Natural Resources Conservation Service
4974 E. Clinton Way, Suite 114
Fresno, CA 93727
559-252-2191
john.beyer@ca.usda.gov

Ted Strauss
Air Quality Inspector
SJV Air Pollution Control District
4230 Kiernan Ave, Suite 130
ModestoCA 95356-9322
209-557-6400

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