CDFA offers grants for water efficiency program

SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and conservation districts.

Organizations seeking grants must use the funds to provide technical assistance to State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program applicants, and must be based in California.

Agencies may apply for funding in amounts between $2,500 and $5,000. Plans for the funding must meet several minimum requirements, including holding at least one technical assistance workshop within a disadvantaged community, reporting on workshop attendance to CDFA, and providing computers and internet access to allow growers to complete SWEEP applications.

“Requests for technical assistance to complete water and greenhouse gas reduction calculations, and also help with the applications, are one of the most common comments we receive about SWEEP,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said.

Technical assistance will be made available through a $25,000 partnership grant between CDFA and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Workshops that provide hands-on application assistance are critical to the success of SWEEP and the implementation of efficient irrigation systems to save water and reduce greenhouse gases.

Organizations that wish to receive funding can get more information and request a grant application at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/SWEEP. Applications must be submitted by email no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 25. Grants will be awarded on a first-come-firstserved basis.