(1) Eligible growers can obtain an equipment leasing program application by contacting:

Asparagus Grower Leasing Program

Washington State Department of Agriculture

1111 Washington St. S.E., 2nd Floor

P.O. Box 42560

Olympia, WA 98504-2560

(2) Eligible applicants must complete the program application and provide the department with the following information:

(a) Verification consistent with normal and usual leasing agreements that their business is a going concern;

(b) Verification that they have the ability to adequately insure any equipment they may lease;

(c) A statement declaring their eligibility and intent to participate in the program;

(d) Documentation of their ability to provide the necessary upkeep and maintenance of any equipment they may lease;

(e) A description of the equipment to be leased and its cost, along with the percentage of equipment cost the applicant pledges to match (minimum of 25% required);

(f) A description of how the leased equipment will automate their production or harvesting operation;

(g) The estimated amount of labor savings in terms of wages and labor hours to be achieved through automation; and

(h) The number of pounds of asparagus produced as stated in a range for the period of years identified on the application. (The department will verify the pounds of production with the Washington asparagus commission.)

(3) The completed application and the related information (subsection (2) of this section) must be submitted to:

Asparagus Grower Leasing Program

Washington State Department of Agriculture

1111 Washington St. S.E., 2nd Floor

P.O. Box 42560

Olympia, WA 98504-2560