Northwest Florida Agricultural Cost-Share Program (Jackson Blue Spring and Chipola River)

Cost-share from the Northwest Florida Water Management District for irrigation upgrades, precision fertilizer equipment, cover crops, sod-based crop rotation and livestock BMPs in the Jackson Blue Spring and Chipola River Springs groundwater contribution areas (Jackson and Calhoun counties). The goal is to save water and cut nitrogen use on corn, cotton and peanut ground. Producers enrolled in the FDACS BMP program apply with their Notice of Intent.

• Project site(s) located within the Jackson Blue Spring or Chipola River Springs groundwater contribution areas

• Project site(s) in regulatory compliance

• Producer and sites enrolled in the applicable FDACS-adopted BMP program under the producer's NOI

• Row crop (Vegetable/Agronomic) BMP enrollment: conservation tillage, nutrient management, irrigation management and sod-based rotation items; cow/calf or dairy enrollment: livestock BMP items

• Leased sites need a lease agreement with lease period, parcel numbers and dated signatures

• Equipment bought under District cost-share in the last 5 years must be inspected before a new agreement

Up to 75% reimbursement, $100,000 combined maximum per FDEP grant; equipment inspected before reimbursement and at least once more during the five-year agreement; sod-based rotation contracts run at least four years (two years grass, one legume, one row crop).

Published amounts: Cost-share reimbursement can be up to 75%, with a combined maximum reimbursement of $100,000 per grant. Producers may be awarded funds under more than one FDEP grant. Sod-based rotation: the District will reimburse eligible producers to convert up to 160 acres to grass, plus fencing and up to 75 percent of other qualifying equipment. Cover crop cost-share is limited to 300 acres per NOI each calendar year.

Complete the Ag Cost-Share Program Application (or the Cover Crop Program Application during the Aug 1-Sep 30 window) using the FDACS Notice of Intent; one application per NOI per calendar year for equipment/practices and one for cover crops; multiple pieces of equipment may go on one application. Contact Case Pilcher or Gary Chew to apply.

Deadline text on the page: Equipment/practices: producers may apply once per calendar year per NOI (no closing date posted). Cover crops: The cover crop cost-share application period will be August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. (closed for 2026; reopens annually)