Southwest Florida Mini-FARMS Cost-Share Program

Mini-FARMS is the small-project spin-off of SWFWMD's FARMS program: it reimburses 75% of the cost, up to $10,000 per project, for water-conservation and water-quality BMPs on smaller farms. Eligible items include soil moisture probes, weather stations, riser-board culverts, surface-water pumps and filtration, pump-station and zone automation, flow meters, rainwater cisterns, high-to-low-volume irrigation conversions and fixed fertigation systems. Growers apply through FARMS staff and are reimbursed after installation.

• The property must be actively engaged in agriculture for the last two years

• The property must be located within the District's boundary

• The property must enroll in the applicable FDACS BMP program (Notice of Intent)

• The property must be in compliance with District regulatory requirements

• The irrigation system must have been evaluated by a Mobile Irrigation Lab within the last 18 months, or be scheduled for one within 18 months after approval

• Up to 2 projects per NOI/WUP area per District fiscal year, maximum 5 applications in the program lifetime

• FARMS Programs page describes it as for 'agricultural operations of 100 irrigated acres or less' (not repeated in the FY24 handbook)

75% reimbursement of total project cost, capped at $10,000 per project; reimbursement after installation and verification; applicant must register as a District vendor.

Published amounts: Handbook (Amended FY2024): 'A 75% Cost share program with up to $10,000 per reimbursement'; 'The District is offering cost share incentives, up to 75% of total project cost, not to exceed $10,000'. Brochure (VISAV 03-20-2025): 'reimburse growers 75% of their project costs up to $10,000 per project.' (The FARMS Programs web page still shows an older $8,000 cap; the FY2024 handbook and the 2025 brochure both say $10,000.)

Schedule a pre-application meeting with District FARMS staff, enroll in the FDACS BMP program (NOI), then submit the Mini-FARMS cost-share application (in the handbook, signed via DocuSign, with the Maintenance Agreement), two itemized quotes if the cost exceeds $10,000, and the District's substitute W-9. Items can NOT be purchased/installed before the application is approved. After installation and payment, provide invoice and proof of payment, District does a site visit, and the grower completes a Request for Reimbursement; the District releases payment within 30 days.

Deadline text on the page: No deadline published; rolling. Handbook: 'Applicants may be approved for up to two (2) projects per NOI and/or Water Use Permit(WUP) area within the same District fiscal year not to exceed five (5) applications during the Mini-FARMS Program lifetime.'