Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD)

Apply online through the District's Agricultural Cost Share Application form, or download the fillable Agricultural Cost-Share Form and submit it by email to AgProjects@srwmd.org. Applications are reviewed year-round, subject to funding availability.

Deadline text on the page: Governing Board Directive GBD22-0006 §5.0: 'Applications for District or external entity Cost-Share funding will be open year-round for consideration, subject to funding availability.'

General office

Agriculture team

Jonathan Crain

Project Manager II, Agriculture Program

Savannah Atkins

The Suwannee River Water Management District reimburses agricultural producers for irrigation upgrades and precision agriculture practices that save water and cut nutrient use, such as center-pivot retrofits, soil moisture probes, variable frequency drive pumps, remote irrigation controls, variable rate irrigation, grid soil sampling and side-dressing equipment. Dairies can also get cost-share for wastewater system upgrades that conserve water or nutrients. The District's agriculture team runs the program, which uses District money and Florida DEP funds.



- Applicant must own or control all parcels in the project (GBD22-0006 §4.0)
- Project area must have an active Water Use Permit, if required
- Applicant must be enrolled in the FDACS Notice of Intent to implement best management practices
- No more than $300,000 received for District-funded items over five years
- Not a District employee or immediate family member of one
- Must be in compliance with District permits and prior District contracts
- Priority to projects in a Water Supply Planning Area, MFL Prevention or Recovery Strategy, Outstanding Florida Spring Priority Focus Area and/or BMAP

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Reimbursement: producer submits paid invoice and cancelled check (or verifiable payment), plus required documentation (pre/post Mobile Irrigation Lab evaluations for pivot retrofits, photos, maps, lab reports). District staff verify and photo-document equipment. Center pivot retrofit equipment must be recommended by a Mobile Irrigation Lab evaluation. Water Use Permit holders must implement groundwater withdrawal monitoring before reimbursement. Contingency capped at 10% of estimated cost. Final approval by the Governing Board/Executive Director per signature authority.

Published amounts: GBD22-0006: 'The applicant must not have received more than $300,000 for District funded items in Attachment A over five years.' Attachment A rates: irrigation retrofit 75% up to $8,250; soil moisture probe 75% up to $1,700 (90% up to $2,000 in a BMAP or PFA); centralized remote-control system 75% up to $9,000; VFD upgrade 75% up to $15,000; GPS end-gun shut-offs 75% up to $1,500; weather station 75% up to $2,500; grid soil sampling 75% up to $7.00/acre; AWS surface/reclaimed water source 75% up to $300,000. Definitions page: variable rate irrigation 75% up to $50,000/system; side dressing equipment 75% up to $50,000 per implement.

Complete the online Land Acquisition Application by the annual deadline (FY 2027 cycle closed May 8, 2026). Staff evaluate applications, favorable ones go to the Lands Committee and Governing Board in the fall for ranking, and top-ranked projects proceed to appraisal, survey, environmental site assessment and baseline documentation.

Deadline text on the page: Applications for the FY 2027 funding year are due by May 08, 2026. Submittals received after this time will be considered for future funding years.

Lorna Radcliff

Land Management Office Chief

The Suwannee River Water Management District buys conservation easements (and sometimes land outright) from landowners to protect springs, wetlands, streams, floodplains and water supplies. Easements typically restrict development, reduce water use by capping wells or taking irrigation offline, limit fertilizer use and lower land-use intensity, and owners can request retained rights such as agriculture, silviculture or hunting. Landowners offer property through an annual application, and the Governing Board ranks offers each fall.



- Landowners offering property (fee or less-than-fee conservation easement, purchase or donation) within the District
- Priority to lands protecting Outstanding Florida Springs and Priority Focus Areas, surface waters, flood protection, water resource development projects, lands adjacent to District holdings
- Only complete application packets are considered; lands outside the District's primary focus areas will not be pursued

Payment per unit of land to do or avoid certain practices related to land management.

Easement

Purchase based on appraisal; an appraisal is required by the applicant or partnering agency before any SRWMD commitment for partnership funding. Applicant lists requested retained rights (hunting, recreation, silvicultural or agricultural activities, etc.). All purchases approved by the Governing Board, subject to available funding.

Published amounts: Purchase price set by appraisal; application requires an asking price total or per acre. 'Funding is limited and only top-ranked land projects will be pursued.'

List of Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) Funding Opportunities