The California State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) has been a popular program for producers and will be open for applications at the end of November.
SWEEP offers grants to update irrigation systems to reduce greenhouse gas release and improve water efficiency. Eligible system components or improvements include (among others) soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, switching to low-pressure irrigation systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives, and installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water and energy use.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), which manages SWEEP, has posted the request for applications online at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/. The posted SWEEP timeline indicates that the request for applications will be open November 28, 2023, with a deadline of January 19, 2024.
CDFA offers support in the form of online webinars and technical assistance providers who can work with producers to develop their applications. Visit the SWEEP website for more details.