It’s not easy being a farmer against today’s labor and environmental challenges, and yet these individuals and the health of their farms are the foundation of our food network. It’s not just their ability to grow crops that’s at stake, but also how their crops are grown.
One effective strategy to help farmers is that of agriculture grants. California is the nation’s largest food-producing state, and its wildly successful California Off-Road Equipment (CORE) Voucher Incentive Program has set the standard on empowering farmers and ensuring food security in a meaningful, impactful way.
Everyone Wins
Why are agricultural grants in California, especially CORE, so generous? It's about empowerment and savings for farmers and everyone else:
- Lowering operating costs. EVs eliminate annual fuel costs for farmers while also helping the U.S. become more energy-independent with a diverse energy portfolio. No diesel costs translate to higher profit margins for a farm.
- Reduced air pollution. Zero-emission farm machinery helps improve air quality and health, especially those with respiratory diseases, thus lowering healthcare costs. One 2024 study cited in the National Institutes of Science put the price tag of asthma in the U.S. at $82 billion annually including healthcare costs, missed work, and school.
- Healthier natural resources. Reducing overall particulate emissions can improve air quality in ground-level atmospheres, helping ecosystems to naturally restore themselves. For farmers, this is especially beneficial for crop yields and long-term soil health.
Agriculture Grants California: CORE Support
The California CORE program is a multi-million-dollar voucher incentive program that makes currently commercialized, zero-emission, off-road equipment more accessible to users through point-of-sale subsidization. There is no scrappage fee and farmers don’t have to trade in a diesel tractor.
Monarch is the creator of the MK-V, the world’s first 100% electric, driver-optional, and smart tractor, and Wingspan Ag Intelligence® (WingspanAI®), an advanced AI computing and farm management platform. Monarch’s modular technology and energy platform have been accelerating the adoption of electrification, automation, and AI computing in operations and farm reporting. The demand for high-performance and automated farm machinery that supports profitability, efficiency, and sustainability goals remains high and Monarch is responding with on-going developments and customer partnerships.
Under the California CORE program, Monarch’s MK-V and MK-V Dairy tractors are eligible for up to $68,750 in savings off the retail price, putting the cost of the tractor on par with that of a similarly-sized diesel. Unlike a diesel, the MK-V brings continued payback long after its purchase. Agricultural subsidies like CORE can be stacked with additional incentives, making agricultural grants in California a particularly valuable investment tool for farmers.
It [CORE] was a huge benefit to us because we could get two new [MK-V] tractors that we knew were going to be very high quality and not having to worry about repairs, etc., instead of buying, probably, another used diesel tractor for about the same money.
Athan Poulos, Co-owner, Lolonis Family Vineyards and Winery, Inc.
Recognizing that farmers have little time to dedicate to administrative burdens, Monarch takes care of all the paperwork.
Agriculture technology, like that provided by Monarch Tractor, is giving early adopters an operational and efficiency advantage. Gains in the bottom line coupled with being empowered with sustainability are setting these farms up for long-term profitability and security. CORE is empowering them to make that move.
