Locals will now have an opportunity to set direction for new state agriculture funding source
(SACRAMENTO, CA)— Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) pushed to have the California Air Resources Board (CARB) include two additional stops within his district, as part of their Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program Guidelines workshop series.
“It was really important for me to request and secure these local workshop dates with the California Air Resources Board. Imperial County agriculture contributes more than $4.5 billion to the local economy. Likewise, the economies of the Coachella Valley and Blythe are also predominantly driven by this industry. Their input and direction are critical in ensuring this new FARMER program is designed to meet the needs of our region,” stated Assemblymember Garcia who immediately contacted CARB requesting they add both an Eastern Coachella Valley and Imperial County meeting into their public outreach plan.
“Last year we worked really hard to acquire well over $300 million in agricultural investments into the 2017-2018 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) Expenditure Plan. Now my job is to follow these dollars and help these resources make their way into our area. This can only be achieved by making these connections and bringing our local growers into these discussions. I’m not going to pass up any possible opportunity to support these vital businesses.”
Garcia went on to say, “The ability to infuse this magnitude of the state’s resources into the rural, agricultural communities I represent will result in enormous economic stimulants and public health benefits while helping our state meet its emission reduction targets.”
“We thank Assemblymember Garcia for his work in securing this. I am happy that a workshop was scheduled here in the Imperial Valley,” expressed Brea Mohamed, Executive Director of the Imperial County Farm Bureau.
In addition to the Imperial County Farm Bureau, Assemblymember Garcia has partnered with the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business (COLAB) and Growing Coachella Valley to bring together our local farmers and agriculture businesses.
The new funding resource being discussed at these workshops was made available thanks to the Assemblymember’s work to secure significant allocations for agriculture into the 2017-2018 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) Expenditure Plan. Last year, his advocacy efforts resulted in over $300 million in total agricultural program investments. Resources eligible for funding include agricultural harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations. Of that total $135 million will be invested into CARB’ FARMER program.
Both the 56th Assembly District FARMER program workshops will take place tomorrow, Thursday, February 1, 2018:
Coachella Valley
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Coachella Corporate Yard, 53-462 Enterprise Way, Coachella, CA 92236
Imperial Valley
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Imperial County Airport, 1101 Airport Road, Second Floor, Imperial, CA
For more information on the program: https://arb.ca.gov/ag/agincentives/agincentives.htm?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
