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Grants to Improve Irrigation and Soils
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irrigation valves
Water Money to Make it Work Better
SWEEP Applications Open and
Ventura County Workshop
Announced!
California Department of Food and Agriculture is now accepting applications for the State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP), a competitive grant program that provides funding to farmers and ranchers to invest in irrigation water and energy efficiency. Agricultural operations can apply for up to $100,000 for projects that involve improvements to irrigation systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save water. Projects funded through SWEEP commonly include elements such as soil, plant or weather sensors; micro-irrigation systems; pump retrofits or replacements; renewable energy; and variable frequency drives – among others.
Applications are due Monday, December 16th at 5PM PST.
For more information about SWEEP and where to start your application click here:
SWEEP Applications Open and Ventura County Workshop Announced!
California Department of Food and Agriculture is now accepting applications for the State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP), a competitive grant program that provides funding to farmers and ranchers to invest in irrigation water and energy efficiency. Agricultural operations can apply for up to $100,000 for projects that involve improvements to irrigation systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save water. Projects funded through SWEEP commonly include elements such as soil, plant or weather sensors; micro-irrigation systems; pump retrofits or replacements; renewable energy; and variable frequency drives – among others.
Applications are due Monday, December 16th at 5PM PST.
For more information about SWEEP and where to start your application click here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/
To review the application request click here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/docs/2019_SWEEP_RGA.pdf
Technical assistance provided: Contact Alli Rowe amrowe@ucanr.edu for assistance on Ventura County SWEEP applications
Outside of Ventura County? Find your local TA provider here: http://ciwr.ucanr.edu/Programs/ClimateSmartAg/TechnicalAssistanceProviders/
Ventura County Workshop:
UC Cooperative Extension Ventura County will be hosting a workshop where you can learn more about the SWEEP application process, find out where you can get technical assistance, and learn how to apply for the grant. Please see flyer attached for more details.
Where: UC Cooperative Extension Ventura County, 669 County Square Dr. Suite #100, Ventura, CA
When: Monday, November 4 2PM – 4PM
Registration is free, reserve your space here: http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=28554
To review the application request click here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/docs/2019_SWEEP_RGA.pdf
Technical assistance provided: Contact Alli Rowe amrowe@ucanr.edu for assistance on Ventura County SWEEP applications
Outside of Ventura County? Find your local TA provider here: http://ciwr.ucanr.edu/Programs/ClimateSmartAg/TechnicalAssistanceProviders/
water meter
SWEEPing Citrus
Spotlight on SWEEP in Citrus
Shulamit Shroder, UCCE climate smart agriculture specialist - Kern County
In 2014, Bruce Kelsey in Kern County received a grant through the California Department of Food and Agriculture's State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). He used the funds to set up 8-foot-wide plastic weed mats underneath his mature organic citrus trees. He also decreased his electrical consumption by about 30% and installed soil moisture sensors, a water flow meter, and a pressure-sustaining device.
Benefits
Labor: The installation of the weed mat was a labor-intensive process, but it ended up paying off in the long term. It diminished weed populations so that he no longer has to weed under his citrus trees. Now he only mows with a small mower in the lanes between his trees.
Water usage: His overall water usage decreased by about 10%. The weed mat decreased evaporation and weed pressure while the other devices allowed him to better manage and schedule his irrigation.
Drawbacks
Pests: Bruce experienced an increase in earwigs in the weed mat orchard. The plastic covering provided the perfect humid environment for the insects.
Organic certification: The weed mats will eventually start to disintegrate, which could contaminate his soil. To maintain his organic certification, he will have to rip them up once they start to break down. Smaller, younger trees do not protect the plastic from the sun, which quickly destroys the plastic. For this reason, he recommended against using weed mat in immature orchards.
Figure 1. Weed mat in place.
Healthy Soils and Water Efficiency Grant Programs
The California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) is NOW accepting
applications for the HEALTHY SOILS PROGRAM!
This program provides cost-share to farmers and ranchers to implement soil health practices, including compost application, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, and much, much more!
The Ventura County Resource Conservation District will be hosting application assistance workshops to help :
Ranchers, vineyards, orchards, row crops, and mixed operations are all eligible
The max grant amount is $75,000
Applications due March 8th
Friday, January 18th 2:30 - 3:30PM
Active Adult & Community Center, 533 Santa Clara St., Fillmore, CA 93015
Tuesday, January 22nd 2:30 - 3:30PM
Help of Ojai, 111 W Santa Ana St., Ojai, CA 93023
Thursday, January 24th 2:30 - 3:30PM
Ventura County RCD Office, 3380 Somis Road, Somis, CA 93066
Monday, January 28th 2:30 - 3:30PM
Oxnard Public Library, Meeting Room B, 251 South A St, Oxnard, CA 93030
Workshops are FREE to attend, but we ask that you RSVP.
PLEASE contact Lexi Ballinger at
(805) 764-5135 or lexi.vcrcd@gmail.com to do so.
AND Also Take the Opportunity for:
The California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA)
STATE WATER EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (SWEEP) Application Period is NOW OPEN!
SWEEP reimburses agricultural operations for projects that reduce BOTH greenhouse gas emissions and water use. Projects can include new pumps, irrigation system upgrades, soil sensors, valves, timers, and much more!
Ranches, vineyards, orchards, row crops, and potted plant operations are eligible to apply
Reimbursement max is $100,000
Applications due March 8th 2019
The Ventura County Resource Conservation District is hosting FREE SWEEP program workshops and FREE individual application assistance:
Friday, January 18th 3:30 - 4:30PM
Active Adult & Community Center, 533 Santa Clara St., Fillmore, CA 93015
Tuesday, January 22nd 3:30 - 4:30PM
Help of Ojai, 111 W Santa Ana St., Ojai, CA 93023
Thursday, January 24th 3:30 - 4:30PM
Ventura County RCD Office, 3380 Somis Road, Somis, CA 93066
Monday, January 28th 3:30 - 4:30PM
Oxnard Public Library, Meeting Room B, 251 South A St, Oxnard, CA 93030
Workshops are FREE to attend, but please RSVP.
To RSVP contact
Jamie Whiteford at
(805) 764-5132
- or -
jamiewhiteford.vcrcd@gmail.com.
HSP logo
Farm and Ranch Funding for Healthy Soils and Water Management
- Interested in increasing water productivity while saving money on water and energy bills?
- Considering cover crops, composting or planting a hedgerow?
- Would you like to convert from flush to scrape at your dairy/livestock operation?
Applications are now open for three grant opportunities through the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA). Funding is available to farms and ranches for a variety of practices that can cut on-farm water and energy use, build soil fertility and reduce dairy methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, while providing economic benefit to the operations and enhancing community and environmental health.
Below are some examples of eligible projects for each program. To delve into the specifics of each program and how to apply, please see the CDFA website links to each program below.
State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (SWEEP)
Share the SWEEP application flyer!
- Applications due March 8, 2019
- Incentives grants for up to $100,000 available
- $9.5 million total available
Improve irrigation efficiency and reduce water and energy costs through projects like:
- Installation of solar panels for irrigation systems
- Micro-irrigation and drip systems
- Soil moisture monitoring, weather station, and telemetry equipment for irrigation scheduling
- Pump retrofits
- Low-pressure systems
- Variable frequency drives
Healthy Soils Initiative: Incentives Program & Demonstration Program
Share the Healthy Soils Program application flyer!
- Applications due March 8, 2019
- Incentives grants for up to $75,000
- Demonstration grants for up to $250,000 (must implement new practice(s) and do farmer-to-farmer outreach and field days)
- $15 million total available
Adopt/expand the use of 25+ eligible soil health practices. A few examples:
- Cover crop
- Compost
- Hedgerows, wind breaks, riparian plantings
- Prescribed grazing on pasture
- No-till or reduced till
- Mulching
- Silvopasture
- Crop rotations
Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP)
Share the AMMP application flyer!
- Applications due April 3, 2019
- Up to $750,000 for individual dairy/livestock operations
- Demonstration grants available (must do farmer-to-farmer outreach and field days)
- $19 – 33 million total available
Manage dairy/livestock manure in ways that can reduce water use and methane emissions, through projects like:
- Conversion from flush to scrape and/or solid separation of manure solids with alternative manure handling (e.g. daily spread, solar drying, composting, etc.)
- Compost bedded pack barns
- Pasture based practices, including conversion to pasture and increased time animals spend on pasture.
More Information & How To Apply
Matching grants from programs like USDA's NRCS EQIP are encouraged for AMMP and the Healthy Soils Program, but not required (EQIP match not permitted for SWEEP).
Some funding will be prioritized for awards to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, consistent with the Farmer Equity Act (AB 1348). CDFA will also give special consideration to projects located within or that show demonstrated benefits to severely disadvantaged communities (you can use this site to find out if you are located in such a community).
Go to CDFA's websites, linked above, for more detailed information and access to the applications.
irrigATING CITRUS
