The RDCO offers a free chipping program to encourage orchardists to chip wood waste (stumps and branches) instead of burning. If you have wood waste derived from an orchard removal for the purpose of replanting or other agricultural use, you may register for this program.
In the past, a common method of disposal has been burning. This produces a smoky haze, toxic chemicals and particles that are harmful to human health. Chipping wood waste helps keep our air clean and provides growers with valuable wood chips.
Register to the program
Registration is accepted year-round, and chipping generally occurs from March through June and from September through December. It's recommended you register for the program at least one year in advance.
This program is coordinated by our Regional Air Quality Program with support from the British Columbia Fruit Growers Association, the BC Fruit Packers Cooperative and the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre.
Local benefits
In 2023, a total of 3,163 cubic metres of wood was chipped on 16 local orchards, clearing 57 acres.
24 mow/chip/rent-it rebates were granted for fuel reduction clearing 111 acres.
Residents estimate they spent 861 hours making 318 piles of wood that ultimately were not burned.
As a result, 59 tonnes of Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and 210 tonnes of carbon monoxide (CO) and 20 tonnes of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) were not released into the air.
Eligibility requirements
Your orchard/property is 1 ha or greater in size, and located within the Central Okanagan (Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas.
The land is classified as agricultural; orchards being removed for the purpose of residential or commercial development will not be accepted.
The site is accessible for the chipping equipment.
You have a large amount of wood waste.
Waitlist
If your orchard qualifies under the program guidelines, your name will be placed on the waitlist.
The wait-list is managed on a first-come, first-served basis
A contractor will contact you to do a site visit and schedule the chipping
Delays may occur due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. To minimize delays:
Piles must be clean of dirt and rocks and metal. Failure to remove unwanted material will result in additional fees or refusal of chipping
Piles must be accessible to grinder/excavator
Piles must be stacked out of the way so the farmers can start or continue their irrigation and planting process
A grinder will be brought to your orchard to chip stumps and large branches into 1 to 2-inch diameter sized chips
After chipping, the wood chip piles will be measured by a surveyor, after which the chips can be used as mulch
Delays may occur due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances
There is no guarantee that chipping jobs on the registration waitlist will be performed in the same year
If you are interested in a Replant Program, visit the BC Fruit Growers' Association webpage. The Replant Program is funded by BC Investment Agriculture and the Province of BC. Applications are received on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mow/chip/rent-buy-it rebate program
The RDCO also offers a mow/chip/rent-buy-it rebate to reduce burning and smoke. This rebate assists residents and farmers, and orchardists with the rental or purchase of chip/flail equipment for small volumes of wood waste on their property. According to the Agricultural Waste Disposal Best Practices Guide, burning is not recommended for prunings, which are easily managed with a flail mower and/or a chipper.
Rebates are limited to 80% of the rental or chipping/flail mow service up to $500 rebate per applicant.
Residents can apply once per year.
Farm Properties
Rebates up to a maximum of $3000 for the rental or chipping/flail mow service cost.
Farmers can apply once per year.
For Residential and farm property
Rebates for the purchase of a new chipper or flail mower up to a maximum of $1500.
This is a one-time purchase rebate per property. The amount granted cannot exceed 50% of the total equipment cost.
Benefits
Chipping:
Mulch (1-2 inches long) helps with weed control, pest control, water retention and helps prevent soil erosion
When added to compost, the smaller chips break down and provide nutrition for the soil
As a soil conditioner, small or partially decomposed chips break down and reintroduce organic matter (carbon) into the soil
When used in landscaping, larger chips help reduce dust and mud
Great for animal bedding
Mowing:
When done well, it has little to no risk of destroying the organic matter layer
Permits plant rejuvenation in a single step instead of two, as usually is the case with burning
The work can be done in any weather
Lower risk to natural allies such as beneficial predatory insects and pollinators
Eligibility requirements
For residential and farm properties size is 1 ha or greater and located within the Central Okanagan (Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, Westbank First Nation, Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas).
Residential property means
residential property 1ha (2.47 acres) or greater (not farm) or
residential property 1ha (2.47 acres) or greater in a fuel management /wildfire interface area.
Farm property means
farms classified as Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) or
Rebates are granted first come, first served basis. Funding is limited and based on availability.
Incentive levels are updated from time to time. For new incentive levels, invoice date should be June 1st, 2022, onward.
Rebate application and invoice (rental/service/purchase) should happen on the same year. Application deadline is December 31st.
The rental/purchase equipment should be used for the purposes of fuel reduction and/or agricultural activities.
Small volume of wood means less than 4 piles sized 3m width x3m large x2m height. If you have 4 or more piles, consider applying to the Agricultural Chipping Program instead.
Process
Rent or buy a 6, 12-inch or bigger chipper or a flail mower (there are several retailers and chippers available for rent or purchase in our region. Or hire a contractor for the chipping service.
Wood waste is best chipped when it's still green/moist. Dry wood creates too much dust and wears down the chipping blades faster.
Rebates are granted first come, first served basis. Funding is limited and based on availability. If approved, you will receive a cheque to your mailing address according to the applicable incentive level.
Use your wood chips on your property or give them away to your neighbours. Mixing chips into soil instead of layering it on top allows for faster breakdown. For residences in wildfire/interface areas, follow the FireSmart guidelines Residential Use of Wood Chips Memo
Best practices
The Agricultural Waste Disposal Best Practices Guide and videos below offer useful information for farmers, orchardists and residents to save time and money, while benefiting the environment. The guide explains local air quality issues and offers useful information about yard waste disposal options, so that you can efficiently manage:
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