CDFA SWEEP Grants and Applications

The SWEEP proposal period is open as of today, October 19, 2021. The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations.

Eligible System Components (Among Others)

Soil moisture monitoring and automation to improve efficiency and reduce water use
Switching to drip irrigation from less efficient methods
Switching to low-pressure irrigation systems
Fuel savings through reduced pumping, new fuel-efficient equipment and water-saving strategies
Improved energy efficiency of pumps and the addition of variable frequency drives
Installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water use and energy
Reduced pumping through water-saving strategies
Subsurface drip for dairy effluent
Due to the multiple environmental co-benefits that can be expected, CDFA will set aside 2 million dollars.
For projects that apply for technologies to use subsurface drip irrigation to apply dairy effluent to field crops.

This program is worth your attention given its potential for financial assistance. Since SWEEP began, CDFA has selected 835 projects to be awarded covering over 137,000 acres. $81.1 million has been awarded to date, with more than $52.8 million in matching funds contributed by awardees.

Funding and Duration

The SWEEP will disperse between $43 and $45 million to California agricultural operations investing in irrigation systems that reduce GHG emissions and save water.

The application submission period will be on a rolling basis, starting on October 19, 2021, and continue until January 18, 2022, or until available funds are expended, whichever is earlier.
The maximum grant award is $200,000
The maximum grant duration is 24 months.
Costs incurred before the beginning of the grant agreement will not be reimbursed.
Awarded project must be complete and operational no later than 24 months after the start of the grant agreement. The anticipated start date is June 30, 2022.
CDFA reserves the right to offer an award different than the amount requested.
Grants are paid out on a reimbursement basis following invoice submission by the awardee.

Last round in 2019 the award maximum was $100,000. In this round, the maximum award is $200,000 per agricultural operation, which is determined by the operation’s legal business name and associated tax identification number. For more information, see the resource links below for the current program starting October 19, 2021.

SWEEP Resources & Links

To learn more visit the CDFA website for details and deadlines on the next round of SWEEP grants, along with the proposal application process.

If you need technical assistance with your application, please contact your local Cal-West Rain sales representative.