 From the Ag Information Network, this is your agribusiness update. On January 1st, farmers in the eight counties of California's San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District will be prohibited from nearly all open burning under a state law adopted in 2003. The law aimed to address the poor air quality in the valley. Agricultural burning, which accounts for about 4% of the region's fine particulate pollution, has always been the cheapest and easiest way to dispose of orchard and vineyard waste.