Posts Tagged: funding
Water and Irrigation Improvement Funding??????
There is money out there to help with irrigation improvements. Along with USDA funding through The Natural Resources Conservation Service and many local Resource Conservation Districts, there are often funds from the state. In Ventura County there is a source of funding that is being made locally administered by the VC Farm Bureau. Check this out and follow some of the threads to find other local funding for improved water management.
VENTURA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL WATER AND ENERGY USE EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (AWUE)
Technical Assistance and Equipment Rebates
FACT SHEET
Funded by a State of California Proposition 84 Drought Grant*
The drought and groundwater sustainability goals are challenging farmers to use every drop wisely. To help, the State of California has awarded Ventura County a cost share grant with $1.2 million available for technical assistance and equipment rebates to improve agricultural irrigation and energy efficiency.
What does the funding cover?
The program will rebate farmers up to 60% of equipment upgrades that demonstrate quantifiable water and energy savings. This may include irrigation timers, meters, sprinklers, soil moisture sensors, drip tape and emitters, irrigation software, high efficiency pumps, pipes and valves. (Installation costs are not reimbursable due to grant restrictions.)
Who is eligible?
All commercial farms in Ventura County may complete the AWUE Interest Survey for the program. The farming operations with the greatest potential for savings will be invited to begin the program by signing the AWUE Cooperative Agreement (sample available for review at bit.ly/AWUE-grant).
How does it work?
Participating farms will have a free, on-site technical evaluation of operations and irrigation system(s) to develop a set of recommendations to improve water and energy efficiency. The evaluation may include a distribution uniformity (DU) test of the irrigation system(s) to determine if the system is applying irrigation water optimally, a review of irrigation scheduling vs. crop need, and other related practices and operational/testing equipment.
In conjunction with irrigation efficiency, opportunities for energy savings will also be evaluated. As a cooperative evaluation, innovative ideas that improve water efficiency will be explored for possible recommendation.
Equipment upgrades that are mutually agreed upon and implemented within one year at the farmer's upfront cost will be up to 60% reimbursed following a free post-project evaluation.
Are there other funding opportunities?
Farmers in Ventura County who meet certain requirements may also be eligible for funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to further offset equipment costs of the same water and energy efficiency improvements. This includes special assistance funding for farms located in these Calleguas Creek subwatersheds: Revolon Slough, Beardsley Wash, Las Posas Arroyo and Lower Conejo Arroyo. Contact Dawn Afman, NRCS at dawn.afman@ca.usda.gov or (805) 984-2358 x101 for more information.
What is the timing
The AWUE Interest Survey completed by any Ventura County commercial farmer are currently being accepted until funding is exhausted. Surveys will be ranked and those with the greatest potential water savings will be invited to begin the process. NRCS potentially coordinated equipment improvements will receive extra credit in the selection process.
How do I begin?
Visit bit.ly/AWUE-grant webpage for current grant information. It is recommended that you review the sample AWUE Cooperative Agreement on the webpage to fully understand the program conditions before deciding to complete the AWUE Interest Survey.
Questions?
For AWUE program information questions, please contact Nancy Broschart, Farm Bureau of Ventura County, at nancy@farmbureauvc.com or (805) 289-0155.
For field evaluation questions, please contact Jamie Whiteford, Ventura County Resource Conservation District, at jamie.k.whiteford@gmail.com or (805) 764-5132.
*This is a cooperative program supported under the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006, administered by the State of California, Department of Water Resources; and the Ventura County Watershed Protection District as the Grantee.
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AWUE Summary
irrigATING CITRUS
Natural resource funding opportunities
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides many resources for public use. In addition to educational resources, the NRCS has some financial assistance programs available to help eligible landowners and agricultural producers plan and implement conservation practices.
These programs address natural resource concerns and include: saving energy; improving soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources.
Specific programs include:
- Agricultural management assistance
- Agricultural water enhancement program
- Air quality initiative
- Cooperative conservation partnership initiative
- Conservation innovation grants
- Conservation stewardship program
- Environmental quality incentives program
- Emergency watershed protection program
- Wildlife habitat incentive program
Additional information can be found on the NRCS website, or by contacting your local NRCS office. Program information is also available in Spanish.
Food Compass
The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass is a valuable resource for food producers, community leaders and consumers.
This online multi-media resource provides seamless access to programs designed to support local food systems under the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative. This effort combines the work of 17 USDA agencies and is producing some powerful results.
From the USDA,
“The Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass is a valuable resource documenting the innovation, entrepreneurship and impact of local food systems across the country. It [Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative] is driving job growth, keeping farmers and on the land, and keeping wealth in rural communities. We invite you to dive deep into this new tool, and be inspired by the stories it tells and the ideas it can spur for you and your community.”
Much of the information at the site is shared in a narrative format, providing viewers with an in-depth, inside look into the nation’s local food systems.
Topics include:
- The what and why of local foods
- What is Know Your Farmer?
- Local food infrastructure
- Stewardship and local food
- Local meat and poultry
- Farm to institution
- Healthy food access
- Careers in agriculture
- Local food knowledge
- Local food: Not Just USDA
- Case studies
- Conclusions
- Grants, loans and other resources
Start2Farm.gov
Funded through the USDA and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Start2Farm and the Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program were created in partnership with the National Agricultural Library and the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Both programs were developed to assist people those new to farming or ranching, and those who have less than 10 years of experience.
General topics of resources and programs include:
- Learn How – Develop the know-how to run your farm or ranch business
- Find Financing – Find funding opportunities to help finance your farm or ranch business
- Locate Services – Find assistance with legal and technical requirements of farming
- Get Connected – Build relationships and connect with others
While the website is a little challenging to navigate, the resources are fabulous.
USDA Announces greater flexibility and additional tools for beginning farmers and ranchers
Thanks to the productivity, resiliency and resourcefulness of America’s food producers, United States agriculture is experiencing its most productive period in decades.
From the USDA:
“Today, net farm income is at record levels while debt has been cut in half since the 1980s. Overall, American agriculture supports 1 in 12 jobs in the U.S. and provides American consumers with 86% of the food we consume, while maintaining affordability and choice…Strong agricultural exports are a positive contribution to the U.S. trade balance, support nearly 1 million American jobs and boost economic growth.”
In an effort to provide additional support and opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers, the USDA has expanded some of their programs. To learn more about these programs, please visit this webpage.