Southwest Florida FARMS Agricultural Cost-Share Program (FARMS)

FARMS is SWFWMD's agricultural cost-share reimbursement program for best management practices that cut withdrawals from the Upper Floridan aquifer, such as surface-water or tailwater irrigation pumps, weather stations and soil-moisture telemetry, riser culverts, fertigation, remote zone controls and cold-protection measures. Water-quality and natural-systems BMPs can also be cost-shared in priority areas like the Shell, Prairie and Joshua Creek watersheds, the Upper Myakka River watershed, the SWUCA and the Dover/Plant City freeze area. Growers run their own projects and are reimbursed for approved expenses under a 5–10 year contract with the District.

• Agricultural operation located within the District (all or part of 16 west-central Florida counties: Levy, Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Lake, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte)

• Must have a District-issued water use permit and comply with all applicable laws, rules and District permits; components already required by permit are not eligible

• Project must use an alternative water supply or technology to reduce groundwater use, and/or improve irrigation water quality and watershed ecology by reducing reliance on poorer-quality groundwater

• Applicant provides at least 25 percent of total project costs; combined funding from all sources (NRCS EQIP, FDACS, etc.) may not exceed 75 percent

• Irrigation retrofits/conversions must have had funding assistance deferred by NRCS EQIP or a similar program, and must use a Mobile Irrigation Lab evaluation (or document efficient delivery)

• Must enroll in the FDACS-adopted agricultural BMP program through a Notice of Intent (NOI)

Up to 50% (one FARMS goal) or 75% (two goals) of total project costs, not to exceed 100% of FARMS Eligible Costs (hardware/equipment; Model Farms Costs benchmark). Consultant services, earthwork, labor and other non-hardware costs are not reimbursable but can count as the applicant's match. Contract duration generally 5–10 years; growers get permits and must modify their Water Use Permit to reflect the project; permitted water use allocations are not reduced. Funding authorized yearly by the Governing Board, first-come first-served until exhausted.

Published amounts: Reimbursement can amount to as much as 75 percent of total project costs with water quality and groundwater quantity savings / conservation BMPs; and as much as 50 percent with water quality or groundwater quantity savings / conservation BMPs. (Brochure: 'Meet one FARMS goal and get up to 50%, meet two and you can be eligible for up to 75% of total project costs.') No dollar cap published.

Growers should contact a FARMS staff member to determine project eligibility and funding prior to beginning the application process. District staff do a site visit, then the applicant submits a complete FARMS Funding Application signed by the property owner (joint application with the owner if the land is leased). The Governing Board reviews every request; approved applicants sign a FARMS Cooperative Funding Agreement and must have District authorization before incurring reimbursable expenses.

Deadline text on the page: Governing Board Policy (eff. 10/19/2021): 'Applications will be accepted any time during the fiscal year; however, funding is limited and complete applications for projects will be recommended only as long as funding is available'. Brochure: 'Completed FARMS applications are submitted to the District's Governing Board on a monthly schedule.'