State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program Block Grants

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting concept proposals for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Block Grant. This grant aims to promote on-farm water use efficiency with a focus on multiple-benefit projects that improve resilience to climate change and save water on California agricultural operations. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and tribal governments. The grant will provide funding to producers in California to improve irrigation systems for the purposes of water conservation, energy use efficiency, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. • Eligible projects include on-farm water use efficiency improvements, such as drip irrigation systems and water storage facilities. • The grant will provide funding for technical assistance to local farmers and ranchers within the service area of the block grant recipient. • The grant will also support the implementation of on-farm SWEEP projects with financial assistance. • The total estimated available funding for this grant is $34,000,000, with an expected award amount of $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 per award. • The period of performance for this grant is 4 years. • The funding source for this grant is the State of California, through Proposition 4, the Climate Bond.