California Ag Network

Tag: SWEEP

  • CDFA Invites Organizations to Apply to Deliver SWEEP Funding

    The California Department of Food and Ag (CDFA) Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) is now accepting Concept Proposal applications from eligible organizations to serve as State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Block Grant Recipients.

    OARS invited public comments on the draft application guidelines and supporting documents in early 2026. The application guidelines have since been updated based on that feedback. The remaining supporting documents will be revised this spring to reflect additional public input in preparation for the full proposal period. In the meantime, you can find the public comments and OARS’s responses to the public comments here.

    Who Should Apply?

    At this time, CDFA is only accepting Concept Proposals from eligible organizations to become Block Grant Recipients.

    Eligible organizations must submit a Concept Proposal in order to be considered for invitation to submit a Full Proposal.

    This is not a funding opportunity for individual farmers or ranchers. Producer funding opportunities will be made available at a later date through awarded Block Grant Recipients.

    How to Apply

    Eligible organizations may review the Application Guidelines and submit a Concept Proposal here.

    Visit the SWEEP Block Grant Webpage.

    Webinar

    HSP and SWEEP will offer joint informational webinars to guide prospective Block Grant Recipients through the Concept Proposal application process and address applicant questions. Registration is required.

    Register for Webinar No. 1 on April 13 at 1 to 2:30 p.m. HERE.

    Register for Webinar No.2 on April 20 at 10-11:30 a.m. HERE.

    In addition to informational webinars, OARS will offer a question-and-answer process. General questions may be submitted through April 27, 2026 to cdfa.sweeptech@cdfa.ca.gov,  and responses will be standardized and posted to the website according to the timeline below:

    • April 17, 2026
    • May 1, 2026

    Technical Assistance for Block Grant Applicants

    We are working with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources to support Block Grant applicants through technical assistance. Community Education Specialists (CESs) across California can help develop projects that benefit disadvantaged communities (DACs) and vulnerable populations.

    Need help? Reach out to the CES team at climatesmartag@ucdavis.edu.

    Tribal Set-Aside Opportunity

    SWEEP is committed to expanding access and participation for California Native American Tribes and Tribal-serving organizations.

    For this funding cycle, SWEEP will offer a tribal set-aside of up to $4M for qualified Tribals governments and nonprofit organizations affiliated with a Tribal government. Tribal applicants will apply through the same process and manage the same format of block grant project as all other applicants. This effort aligns with the priorities of Proposition 4 and acknowledges that Tribes have been historically underserved by SWEEP. Through this work, CDFA aims to support water efficiency and energy-saving projects on Tribal agricultural lands and strengthen long-term engagement with Tribal partners.

    Note for Producers

    Producers will not be able to apply for the Block Grant funding until OARS selects Block Grant Recipients for awards and executes agreements. At this time, OARS expects execution of Block Grant Recipient agreements in January 2027. — By the California Department of Food and Ag

  • CDFA Accepting Applications For The 2017 State Water Efficiency And Enhancement Program (SWEEP)

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 3, 2017) – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is beginning to accept applications, effective today, for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP). An estimated $3.75 million will be available for competitive grant funding to provide financial assistance to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water at California agricultural operations. This program receives funding from California Climate Investments, the proceeds from the state’s cap-and-trade auctions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing a variety of additional benefits to California communities.

    Agricultural operations can apply for funding of up to $100,000 per project for irrigation projects that provide quantifiable water savings and greenhouse gas reductions.

    Prospective applicants must access the “Request for Applications” at www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/SWEEP for detailed information on eligibility and program requirements. To streamline and expedite the application process, CDFA is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board, which hosts an online application tool, Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). All prospective applicants must register for a FAAST account at https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov. Applications and all supporting information must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

    CDFA will hold three workshops and one webinar to provide information on program requirements and the FAAST application process (see below). CDFA staff will provide guidance on the application process, provide several examples and answer any questions. There is no cost to attend the workshops. Individuals planning to attend should email grants@cdfa.ca.gov with his or her contact information, number of seats required and the workshop location.

    SWEEP Informational Application Workshops:

    • Fresno County: Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am –

    American Pistachio Growers
Conference Room
9 River Park Place East, Suite 410
Fresno, CA 93720

    • San Diego County: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am

    San Diego County Farm Bureau 
1670 E. Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA 92027

    • Tehama County: Thursday, February 9, 2017 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am

    Department of Water Resources – Northern Region Office
2440 Main Street 
Red Bluff, CA

    • Webinar: February 10, 2017 (Friday) from 9:00 am to 11:00 am

    To register for the webinar, please send an email to grants@cdfa.ca.gov requesting the registration link.

    Prospective applicants should refer to the SWEEP webpage (www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep) for information regarding comprehensive technical assistance workshops provided by non-profit organizations, California academic institutions and California Resource Conservation Districts. These technical assistance workshops are intended to provide hands-on application assistance and are also free of charge.

    SWEEP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments.