Association President/CEO Roger Isom testified this week at the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Governing Board Meeting in support of the Air District’s proposed “Trade-Up Program”.  The new program would be funded by $500,000 in Cap & Trade Funds from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).  The money would be used to purchase new agricultural equipment (tractors and harvesters) to replace existing Tier 2 and Tier 3 agricultural equipment.  Then, rather than crushing the Tier 2/3 equipment, it would be provided free of charge to growers to replace existing Tier 0 equipment that might not otherwise be replaced due to financial constraints or limited use.  The Tier 2/3 tractors will be inspected and the Air District will spend up to an additional $5,000 to repair this equipment for use.  A big focus will be on harvesting equipment which tends to have a low use.   The new pilot program will go into effect later this summer, and the Association is already lining up growers and equipment for the pilot program.  If it is successful, it could lead to a more permanent program.