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May 19, 2015

APPLY NOW — $10 Million in Grants Available for CA Ag

Are you one of the many Western Growers members who took advantage last year of drought assistance funding through the State Water Efficiency Program (SWEEP)?  Maybe you meant to but never got around to it?  Either way, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has opened a new round of funding and is now accepting applications for competitive grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations.  SWEEP funding (authorized by emergency drought legislation, Assembly Bill 91) 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. 

Applicants must access the Application Guidelines for detailed information 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 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] with general program questions.