Ag History Project efforts amidst pandemic
The pandemic has been a challenge for the Agricultural History Project (AHP) causing the organization to think outside the box. School Field Trips had to be canceled as did their 2nd Saturday events and all other adult tours the past eleven months. The Annual Harvest Dinner was modified as a drive-thru event. On the bright side, they were able to do more restoration and maintenance of equipment because of the downtime. Their team of volunteers, four during the week and nine on Tuesday mornings, have been doing projects that were only dreams prior to the pandemic.
One project receiving attention is the restoration of an 1877 Wheel Scraper donated by Ken Locke-Paddon. After doing some research, they found that the scraper was invented by C.H. Smith in 1877 in Aurora, Illinois. He specialized in railroad grading.
The first product he manufactured was a horse-drawn scraper on wheels. It was designed to haul one-half yard of material and was used to carry and dump material for an embankment and the like. Other models of wheel scrapers followed which had increased capacity. The company became known as the Western Wheeled Scraper Company. The company continued until 1978 building construction equipment. The Austin – Western equipment was regarded as superior equipment and was used to build the Panama Canal. They finished restoring one scraper last month and it which is now on display in the Codiga Center and Museum.
They are now restoring an Allis Chalmers G High Crop Tractor, Studebaker Carriage, and a 1919 Fageol Tractor.
Plans are being made to host private family tours starting in April following current COVID-19 guidelines. To arrange a tour please contact the AHP office at (831) 7245898. Family tours will include educational exhibits and handson learning activities. AHP is working hard to follow their Mission to preserve the History of Agriculture on the Central Coast of California. Their library is being used to do research on Agriculture, especially apples and they continue to work with youth in the community to help them learn and foster an appreciation for the history of agriculture on the Central Coast. Visit www.aghistoryproject.org for more information.
The agricultural sector accounts for nearly 8% of California’s total GHG emissions. Here on the Central Coast, the Ag community sprawls across much of 3CE’s service area, playing a pivotal role in regional economics as well as our region’s commitment to sustainability.
Partners in Mitigating Climate Change
Many of 3CE’s Ag customers have already taken steps to reduce the environmental impact of their operations. As a local partner in reducing GHG emissions, 3CE has identified the electrification of the Ag sector as a key opportunity and initiative for future Energy Programs.
Fuel Switching
Electrification, often referred to as “fuel switching,” has a variety of benefits for ag businesses, the surrounding communities as well as the people who work in the fields every day. Some benefits include; cleaner air for the region, more efficient technology, regional GHG reduction, and cost savings. Electrifying the Local Ag Industry
*Place AG Electrification Image in this section*
3CE is providing incentives to the Ag sector for the purpose of fuel switching heavy-duty equipment and farm tools from fossil fuels to cleaner all-electric alternatives. The program will be implemented via a competitive grant process. Recipients of the award will receive up to 80% of the total project cost, not to exceed $20,000. The total available funding for 3CE’s Ag energy program is $400,000.
Why do this?
The agricultural sector accounts for 8% of total
GHG emissions in the State of California. The 3CE service territory has a large Ag sector presence and a significant percentage of our GHG emissions are from Ag sector activities such as:
• Diesel-powered irrigation pumps.
• Tractors and forklifts
• Light/heavy-duty vehicles
• Coolers/Boilers
• and more Ag electrification benefits include; cleaner air for farm workers and for our Central Coast through local GHG reduction, more efficient technology requiring less maintenance, and possible cost savings.
Program Walkthrough
To qualify, an ag customer must be an enrolled 3CE customer within our current service area. Funding will be distributed via a competitive grant process. Interested customers may apply for specific projects and will be eligible for up to 80% of the total project cost, not to exceed $20,000, to support electrification/fuel switching costs. Funding to be provided at 3CE’s discretion. Grant funds will be made available through a competitive grant process, which will include analyzing GHG reductions and total project costs for each application. Other considerations will be made as well including the benefit to people working in proximity to the equipment.
Applications will be accepted through Friday, March 26,
2021, at 11:59 pm. Visit https://3cenergy.org/ ag-electrification/ or email programs@3Ce. org today!
3CE recently welcomed 11 communities and nearly 100,000 customers within San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, as well as the City of Del Rey Oaks.
Customers will have a first-ever choice for an electricity provider and the opportunity to turn electricity needs into economic and environmental benefits for your home, business, and community. 3CE service began in January 2021.