Agricultural Cost-Share Grant Funding Programs

Overview

The Northwest Florida Water Management District’s Agricultural Cost-Share Grant Funding Program makes cost-share funding available for projects to improve water quality and reduce water use in the Jackson Blue Spring and Chipola River Springs Groundwater Contribution Areas (GWCA).

Eligible projects will provide increased efficiency in both irrigation and fertilizer use in Jackson and Calhoun counties — the largest agricultural area in northwest Florida.

Eligibility requirements:

• The project site(s) must be located within the Jackson Blue Spring or Chipola River Springs GWCAs;
• The project site(s) must be in regulatory compliance;
• The producer and project site(s) must be enrolled in the applicable Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services-adopted BMP program.
• BMP Enrollment under Vegetable/Agronomic Crop (Row Crop) is eligible for cost-share on items listed under conservation tillage, nutrient management, irrigation management, and sod-based rotation.
• BMP enrollment under cow/calf or dairy is eligible for cost-share on items listed under livestock BMP’s. All equipment purchased under cost-share agreements within the last 5 years will need to be inspected by District staff prior to any new cost-share agreements.

Jackson Blue Spring and Chipola River Springs Groundwater Contribution Area Maps

Interactive Basin Map for Cost Share Eligibility

Street View Map

Aerial View Map

Agricultural Cost-Share Grant Funding Program

The District provides cost-share funding for eligible agricultural practices and equipment as part of the Agricultural Cost-Share Grant Funding Program to assist producers in the basin achieve water savings and reduce operating costs through irrigation system enhancements.

In addition, improved fertilizer application technologies could reduce the total nitrogen use for corn, cotton, and peanut crops without a loss in productivity.

To apply for cost-share funding, producers must use their applicable Notice of Intent (NOI) issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Producers, including members of the same family, may apply for cost-share assistance using their unique NOI once per calendar year for equipment/practices and once per calendar year for cover crops. Multiple pieces of equipment can be included in a single application. Cover crop cost-share is limited to 300 acres per NOI each calendar year.

Additionally, all parcels must be enrolled in the applicable FDACS Best Management Practices (BMP) Program under the applying producer’s NOI.

Cost-share reimbursement can be up to 75%, with a combined maximum reimbursement of $100,000 per grant. The $100,000 maximum applies to each grant awarded to the District from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for agricultural cost-share activities (e.g. cover crops, equipment). Producers may be awarded funds under more than one FDEP grant, depending on the availability of funds.

All equipment purchased under the cost-share agreement will be inspected prior to reimbursement, as well as at least one additional time during the five-year agreement period. All equipment purchased under cost-share agreements with the District within the last five years will need to be inspected prior to any new cost-share agreements being approved.

Cover crop application deadline is September 30, 2025.

UPDATED Ag Cost-Share Eligible Equipment and Practices

Ag Cost-Share Cover Crop Program Application

UPDATED Ag Cost-Share Program Application

UPDATED Ag Cost-Share Brochure

Ag Cost-Share Program Definitions

Sod-Based Rotation Program

The District’s sod-based rotation program helps agricultural producers implement a conservation crop rotation program that includes planting grass such as bahia or bermuda as part of the rotation.

This grass rotation, or sod-based rotation, has been implemented and studied by University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at its research stations in Greenwood and Quincy for more than a decade. Research shows that land under the grass rotation produces higher yields while using less fertilizer and irrigation. Benefits of grass rotation are highest when cattle grazing is included as part of the program.

Under the program, the District will reimburse eligible producers to convert up to 160 acres to grass. The conversion can be accomplished in up to four phases but the grass must be maintained in place for two years to obtain the benefits of the practice. The District also reimburses for fencing and up to 75 percent of the cost of other qualifying equipment and tools.

Contracts are expected to last approximately four years so grass is established for two years on each portion of the enrolled property. While including cattle is encouraged, it is not required. Producers can choose among numerous options to implement grass rotation on their farm. Awarded grant amounts will vary depending on the measures selected by each producer.

Contact Information

For additional information or to apply for cost-share grant funding, please contact:

Case Pilcher
Case.Pilcher@nwfwater.com
(850) 510-9358

Gary Chew
Gary.Chew@nwfwater.com
(850) 509-7056