Status: Application Period is currently Closed for the FARMER Program.
The Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program provides funding through local air districts for agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations.
The Sac Metro Air District has implemented FARMER funding for the first three years of the program and experienced overwhelming demand for funding, especially for the electric utility terrain (UTV) vehicle option. After reviewing all available funding, staff determined that the best use of FARMER funding was to only fund these electric UTV projects since they are very popular and promote the use of zero emission vehicle technology. Other projects like farm tractor replacement receive similar funding amounts under the Carl Moyer Program, so limited FARMER funding will be allocated to UTV only.
Staff will follow the UTV requirements outlined in the ARB FARMER Guidelines to evaluate applications. Applications will only be accepted for farm operations with business addresses in the counties of Sacramento, Sutter, and Yuba as determined by tax liability purposes. Farmers with operations in these counties, but based outside the area, should contact other air districts for funding opportunities. The Sac Metro Air District will not accept applications for on-road truck replacement under its FARMER Program.
FARMER Program Guidelines
Application Process
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sac Metro Air District is closed to the public with most employees working remotely. This means our incentive solicitation will need to use digital methods as much as possible to ensure compliance with public health orders while providing the best possible customer service. Applicants will need to submit their applications electronically through the District's website.
The application period opens on March 29, 2021 and ends on May 28, 2021. Applicants will enter most of the information through the online form found on each program page and upload attachments as needed for each funding stream. Once complete, applicants will receive an email showing their application was received. The Sac Metro Air District recommends that applicants keep a copy of all application records. It is also recommended that applicants use a PDF app for their Apple or Android phones that can convert pictures into PDF to make the process easier.
Staff may begin contacting applicants before the application period is complete about their project. Some projects may have enough community benefit that awards may be issued prior to the end of the solicitation, but most projects will be evaluated later. Projects with an award greater than $1 million will require approval by the Sac Metro Air District Board of Directors. This may delay projects as the board meets monthly and does not meet in June 2021.
Applications missing information may be given 30 days to submit any incomplete or ineligible documents. Staff may also request additional information from applicants if needed to evaluate the project. If a project is selected for funding, the project may require a pre-inspection where the applicant will be contacted by one of our staff to coordinate a virtual inspection of the equipment. In some cases, the applicant will be offered an award lower than the amount requested in the application or the maximum grant for the project. This reduction is done if the Sac Metro Air District does not have enough funding for the project or staff determines that the application does not qualify for full funding.
If selected for funding, applicants will enter into a funding agreement with the Sac Metro Air District. The agreement will match the individual or business entity listed on the application and Payee Data Record.
Applicants must be compliant with state and local air quality regulations and will be checked. Most agreements have a term of 3-10 years with annual reporting requirements and penalties for non-compliance. Participants can transfer their agreements to other parties if in the best interest of air quality in the region. On-road vehicle projects require the Sac Metro Air District to be listed a lien holder on the title, and all other projects require a UCC filing to secure interest in the equipment. These are released at the end of the agreement.
Applications not selected for funding will be placed in a pending file for future funding opportunities. If an applicant does not want their application to be held, she or he must contact the Sac Metro Air District to withdraw their application. The Sac Metro Air District may also forward applications to other agencies who may have funding for the project. Please contact staff if you have any questions about the application process.
Selection and review of the applications is described in the Project Selection and Funding section of the 2021 solicitation manual. Please ensure that your application includes the following documents scanned into PDF format to attach to your online application:
- Completed Incentive Application (Online or using Form S1)
- Copy of Authorized Signatory's Driver's License or Valid State-Issued Photo Identification Card
- Vendor Payee Data Record W9 and ACH Forms with Cancelled Check or Bank Letter
- Maintenance Records for off-road equipment showing service intervals and hour meter readings
- Fuel records showing fuel consumption per existing equipment
- Photograph of the current operational hour meter reading per existing equipment
- Cost quote and specifications for replacement electric UTV
Online Application
