Cost-share funds available to farmers for water-saving technologies

District agricultural cost-share programs help to fund projects that promote water conservation and improve water quality in area waterways, such as this irrigation retrofit project at a Pierson area fernery.

Apply through Aug. 16

PALATKA, Fla., June 25, 2019 ― The St. Johns River Water Management District is accepting applications through Aug. 16 from farmers interested in participating in cost-share funding for agricultural projects that promote water conservation and improve water quality in area waterways.

The district’s Agricultural Cost-Share Program assists farmers, ranchers and growers by providing up to 75 percent of cooperative funding, not to exceed $250,000, toward implementing water-saving technologies to improve efficiencies and protect natural systems.

Eligible projects may include irrigation system retrofits, soil moisture and climate sensor telemetry, rainwater harvesting, sub-irrigation drain tile, tailwater recovery and reuse, soil mapping with variable rate fertilizer application, and expanded waste storage. A list of eligible projects and equipment can be found online at www.sjrwmd.com/localgovernments/funding/#agriculture-2019, along with details about the application, review and selection process.

Applications will be evaluated based on location, water conservation benefits, water quality benefits, cost/benefit effectiveness and timeline.

District staff will evaluate each project based on the evaluation criteria approved by the district’s Governing Board and prepare a recommended list for board approval in October 2019.