Suwannee River Agricultural Cost-Share Program

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

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.

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.'