The Fresno Irrigation District (FID) is excited to announce funding for growers is available from the Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCS), in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), as part of FID's EQIP WaterSMART funding. The WaterSMART funding is aimed at helping FID growers implement on-farm improvements for better water conservation and irrigation efficiency. Additionally, growers can apply for funding under the Groundwater Recharge Pilot Program for incentives to implement groundwater recharge on their farms.
Eligible growers can receive funding for various practices, including cover crops, irrigation ditch lining, microirrigation systems, recharge basins, on-farm recharge and more.
What sets this EQIP WaterSmart funding apart is that it is exclusively available to farms within FID boundaries, resulting in less competition compared to typical EQIP funding.
FID was awarded this funding pool that renews annually for four years. This is the second year the funding has been available.
Applications for both funding opportunities are due November 15, 2024.
To help growers learn more about these funding opportunities and the application process, FID will host an online webinar for growers on Friday, October 18, at 1:00 PM. This webinar will cover both the WaterSMART opportunity and the Groundwater Recharge Pilot Program, making it a valuable resource for interested growers.
Friday, October 18, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Online via Zoom
Meeting ID: 997 4516 0756
Passcode: 977557
Dial by Phone: 1-669-444-9171
HOW TO APPLY
Make sure you are enrolled in the Farm Service Agency. This is a prerequisite to apply for funding. Contact Fresno County’s FSA office at 559-276-7494 to begin the process.
Download and fill out Application Form 1200 here: Form 1200 and Form 1200 Continuation Page.
Submit your Form 1200 no later than November 15, 2024 to the NRCS Fresno Field Office, 4625 W Jennifer Ave. #125, Fresno, CA 93722. If you are unable to make it to the field office, please contact FID at (559) 233-7161.
Still not sure the program is right for you? Check out the Program Website for more information on how it works.