Information Sourced from Sentry Ag Services and the CDFA Website
The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) is a CDFA program that provides funding to growers who want to take on projects that will help them save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to the pilot program, SWEEP funding applications can also be submitted by growers to CDFA directly, as they have traditionally been. CDFA expects to open the application process for growers to apply for grants directly from the Department in November 2023.
With harvest quickly approaching, you should start collecting information for your application now. Some things you can begin with are:
Think of projects you'd like to implement
Collect bids from vendors
Schedule a pump efficiency test
Collect your energy use records from the last year
Funding and Duration
Through this solicitation SWEEP will award approximately $23 million to California agricultural operations investing in irrigation systems that reduce GHG emissions and save water.
The maximum grant award is $200,000.
The maximum grant duration is 24 months. Recipients must complete projects no later than 24 months after the start of the grant agreement. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2024.
CDFA will not reimburse any costs incurred before the beginning of the grant agreement.
CDFA reserves the right to offer an award different than the amount requested.
Applicants must submit the following attachments:
Project design
Completed Budget Worksheet
Solar system quote if the applicant is proposing a solar installation.
Completed SWEEP Irrigation Water Savings Assessment Tool (MS excel) and Completed GHG Calculator Tool (MS excel) OR the report from the SWEEP Project Assessment Tool
Twelve consecutive months of baseline GHG emission/energy documentation for any pumps that are impacted by the project (e.g., fuel receipts or utility bills)
Pump efficiency tests and pump specification documents
Grant Application Checklist:
Application Components
Completed Online Application
Application Attachments
Project Design
Budget Worksheet
Quotes for solar projects (required if requesting funding for a solar installation)
GHG Baseline Use Documentation (e.g., utility bills, fuel receipts, field operational logs, etc. covering 12 months of peak irrigation season) Pump Efficiency Test(s) (pump efficiency test for current pumps, pump and motor specifications for any proposed pumps)
SWEEP Irrigation Water Savings Assessment Tool & ARB GHG Calculator Tool OR
Output report from the SWEEP Project Assessment Tool
Optional Application Attachments (only if applicable to project)
Cost Share (optional)
Letter of Support from Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Supplemental information to support water use baseline.
All Other Supplemental Documents (e.g., irrigation training certificates) (optional)
For more information about the SWEEP Application, click here.
