An estimated $10 Million in Grants Available for California Agriculture

Source:  WGA.com
Written by Gail Delihant
Posted May 19, 2015

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), authorized by emergency drought legislation (Assembly Bill 91).

An estimated $10 million will be available for competitive grant funding to provide financial assistance to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations.

The funding is made available through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the proceeds of California’s greenhouse gas Cap and Trade program.

Agricultural operations can apply for funding up to $150,000 per project. The funding can be supported by a broad range and/or combination of irrigation and water distribution-related practices that provide quantifiable water savings and greenhouse gas reductions.

Prospective applicants must access the “Application Guidelines” at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/SWEEP for detailed information on eligibility and program requirements. To streamline and expedite the application process, CDFA is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board, which hosts an online application using the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). All applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov.

Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Friday June 29, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

CDFA will hold five application workshops to provide information on program requirements and the FAAST application process (see below). There is no cost to attend the workshops. Space is limited at each workshop location. Individuals planning to attend should email grants@cdfa.ca.gov with their contact information, number of seats required and workshop location.

Sacramento – May 28, 2015
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
California Department of Food and Agriculture
1220 N St., Auditorium
Sacramento, CA 95814

San Martin- June 1, 2015
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Santa Clara County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
80 W. Highland Avenue, Building K
San Martin, CA 95046

Tulare- June 2, 2015
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
4437 S Laspina
Tulare, CA 93274

Ventura- June 3, 2015
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Ventura County Cooperative Extension
669 County Square Dr., Suite 100
Ventura, CA  93003

Oroville – June 9, 2015
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Butte County Farm Bureau
2580 Feather River Blvd.
Oroville CA 95965

Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Grants Office at grants@cdfa.ca.gov with general program questions.