St. Johns River Agricultural Cost-Share Program

The St. Johns River Water Management District pays up to 75% of the cost of farm projects that conserve water, switch to a lower-quality water source, or reduce nutrient runoff in its 18-county area. Past projects include irrigation retrofits and conversions to more efficient systems, conversions to surface water with pond construction, pump automation with telemetry, soil moisture probes and weather stations, precision land leveling, fertigation, and precision fertilizer application equipment. Farmers, growers and ranchers can apply year-round, and the District also offers free Mobile Irrigation Lab audits, which it recommends before applying for irrigation retrofits.

• Project area located primarily within SJRWMD boundaries

• At least three years of experience owning or managing the subject farm/ranch or a similar one

• Project conserves water, makes water available and/or reduces nutrient runoff

• Existing production only; new (previously unirrigated) production areas are not eligible, except surface-water projects

• Enrolled in applicable FDACS best management practices (BMPs)

• Grower owns or controls the land (lease, etc.)

• Agrees to Mobile Irrigation Lab evaluations or water quality monitoring if requested

• In compliance with laws, SJRWMD rules, permits and funding agreements

• High tunnels not funded

Reimbursement program: proof of payment required; multiple invoices allowed. Only expenses incurred after the contract is signed by both parties are eligible. Flow meter required (include in request if not already installed). Recipients must be willing to memorialize water savings through a consumptive use permit modification; recipients subject to MFLs/Outstanding Florida Springs must designate the water resource as receiving entity of excess benefit up to the District's funding percentage. Applicant covers maintenance.

Published amounts: Cost-share could be up to 75 percent, not to exceed $250,000 annually, for the engineering, design, construction and implementation costs for approved projects. Applicant must finance a minimum of 25% of total cost. Related entities share one cap (program overview).

Download the Districtwide Agricultural Cost-Share Application and submit it with vendor quotes and requested documents by email to Suzanne Archer (sarcher@sjrwmd.com). Applications are accepted year-round; eligible projects are funded first come, first served subject to funding and Governing Board approval.

Deadline text on the page: The St. Johns River Water Management District accepts applications for its Districtwide Agricultural Cost-Share Program year-round. Award of cost-share funding is contingent on District Governing Board approval of eligible applications and funding availability.