Funding Resources for California
Farmers
At Netafim we believe the farmer is the foundation to a more sustainable, profitable,
and prosperous world.
Precision irrigation and agriculture helps farmers grow more with less to achieve a
food, water, and land secure future. By developing, deploying and driving mass adoption
of precision irrigation and agriculture solutions to maximize crop yield with minimal
resources.
But we know this is an investment. And when times are hard, access to capital can
mean the difference between farming day-to-day, or farming for our future.
This is why at Netafim, we stand by our farmers.
Netafim partners in solutions with and for our farmers as they make the investment to
meet the water challenges of today and prosper into the future.
State Programs
SWEEP
Currently closed due to state budget constraints. Standby for future funding
announcements.
Eligibility & Cap: Farmers, ranchers, tribes. Applicant must be 18 and cannot
submit more than one application. $600,000 cap since program started in 2014 as
determined by tax ID number. Medical/recreational cannabis not eligible.
Goal: Irrigation systems that maximize water conservation AND GHG reductions. *
(A new requirement to the SWEEP program. Speak with a Netafim representative
for documentation regarding GHG reductions with drip irrigation.)
Practices: Irrigation Scheduling Tools (NRCS Practice Standard 449); System
Changes (NRCS 441, 442, 443); Fuel Conversion; Improved Energy Efficiency of
Pumps and Addition of VFDs (NRCS 372, 533); Low Pressure Systems (NRCS 441,
442); Reduced Pumping through Water Savings; Reduced Nitrous Oxide Emissions.
Grant Max: $200,000 and 18 months. Match funds encouraged, not required.
Program site: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/
SWEEP Block Grants
A new program as of 2023. Contact grant recipients below if your farm is in one of
the awarded geographies: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/docs/sweep_bgr_
contacts_list.pdf
$5M to Stockton East Water District
$5M to Glenn County Resource Conservation District
$5M to Resource Conservation District of Tehama County
$5M to Butte County Farm Bureau
$5M to Solano County Farm Bureau
$4.9M to Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County
$4.9M to Ventura County Resource Conservation District
$4M to Colusa Indian Community Council
$3.5M to CA Land Stewardship Institute
Dairy Farmers
California and Netafim have a number of resources for
you! Visit https://www.netafimusa.com/sdi-e/ for more
information.
Alternative Manure Management Program:
Provides financial assistance for the implementation of non-digester manure
management practices in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas
emissions.
The maximum grant award is $750,000 per application.
APPLICATION: Accepting grant applications until 5:00 P.M. PT on Friday, October
18, 2024
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ammp/
Dairy Digester Research and Development Program:
Provides financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters in California,
which will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
CDFA does not limit the total project budget but requires a minimum 50% match;
applicants can provide additional matching funds.
APPLICATION: Accepting grant applications until 5:00 P.M. PT on Friday, October
18, 2024
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/ddrdp/
Dairy Plus Program:
This program will award competitive grants to California dairy farms for the
implementation of advanced manure management practices that reduce both
methane emissions and nutrient surplus.
Up to $1.25M per project. Matching funds required in certain scenarios.
Application: Open July 2024; Applications due 10/14
Click here for Netafim’ Dairy Plus 2024 Guide
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/dairyplus/
Federal Programs
For all USDA programs – NRCS, FSA, or RMA - contact your local service center today.
You can find yours by visiting Farmers.gov
USDA NRCS EQIP
Ongoing: Applications accepted anytime, awarded on a rolling basis. Farmers apply
directly to NRCS office in their area or ask Netafim rep for NRCS assistance.
EQIP Info: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-
quality-incentives/california/environmental-quality
Examples of Commonly Used Practice Codes: 441 Microirrigation: $1,997.31 /
acre for subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) & $2,978.74 / acre for SDI using manure
effluent
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)
Farmers looking to switch from pivot to drip irrigation and incorporating a
renewable energy or energy efficiency component can consider the Rural Energy
for America Program (REAP)
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/energy-programs/rural-energy-
america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency-improvement-
guaranteed-loans/ca
USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
Competitive grants that drive public and private sector innovation in resource
conservation. CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving—boosting production
on farms, ranches, and private forests through improvements in water quality, soil
health, and wildlife habitat.
CIG applications are accepted from state or local governments, federally
recognized American Indian tribes, non-governmental organizations, and
individuals in all 50 states; and the maximum CIG award is set annually by the
NRCS Chief and historically has been either $1 million or $2 million.
Farmers can apply for CIG directly or may be eligible for assistance through
existing awarded grants.
Ask your local NRCS Service Center or Visit https://cig.sc.egov.usda.gov/cig-
projects to find projects in your state.
USDA NRCS EQIP
Contact your local water district, agency, or authority, and ask if they currently have
any WaterSmart programs available to assist you with your precision irrigation
project today!
Water & Energy Efficiency (WEEG)
Periodic announcements, currently applications are due 10/30/2024
Eligibility: Tribal governments, Irrigation or Water Districts, City / Township; County;
or State governments; 501c3 Nonprofits (other than higher education)
Payment: 50% cost share
Program site: https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/
Cooperative Watershed Management Program
Periodic announcements, currently applications are due 9/04/2024
Eligibility: A watershed group is a self-sustaining, non-regulatory group that is
composed of a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include, but is not limited
to, private property owners, non-profit organizations, Federal, state, or local
agencies, and tribes.
Purpose: Watershed Group Development, Watershed Restoration Planning, or
Implementation of Watershed Management Projects.
Payment: $100,000 per year for 3 yrs; no cost-share required.
Program site: https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/cwmp/docs/CWMP_
FactSheet_2022.pdf
Netafim Corporate Partnership
Program
Companies have certain requirements, including baseline water use and tracking
water use after the irrigation system upgrade. Think of it like a government cost
share without the grant application.
For example: Food, beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), technology, and
other companies with sustainability goals are setting “Water Positive” goals where
they seek verifiable water reduction in “critically stressed watersheds,” such as the
Central Valley.
Netafim has a team dedicated to arranging these Corporate Partnerships. Contact
your local or regional Netafim representative if you are interested in seeing if your
irrigation upgrade qualifies for corporate partnership today!
Additional Resources
Please ask your Netafim rep about additional local resources through our nationwide
agronomy team and dealer network.
www.netafimusa.com
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