By STAFF REPORTS
The Northwest Florida Water Management District announced the expansion of its cost-share funding program for agricultural producers during a kickoff meeting held Aug. 15 in Marianna.
The District not only expanded the coverage area for eligible participants to include the Chipola River springs groundwater contribution area but is also making funding opportunities available for livestock operations.
The District launched the cost-share program more than 10 years ago within the Jackson Blue BMAP area as the District began partnering with local producers to help protect water quality and reduce water usage.
The program features a 75 percent cost-share incentive (up to $100,000) which helps fund the purchase of modernized equipment designed to reduce water usage and decrease the amount of fertilizers used for growing operations.
In addition to maintaining its funding opportunities for growers, the expanded program will also include cost-share incentives for livestock operations to help purchase items such as exclusionary fencing, portable corrals, portable feeders, and shade management.
To be eligible for the cost-share program, project sites must be located within the Jackson Blue BMAP or Chipola River springs groundwater contribution area. The project site must be in regulatory compliance and must be enrolled in an applicable Best Management Practices program coordinated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Additionally, producers must either own or lease the land housing the project site. All irrigation projects must undergo an evaluation by the Mobile Irrigation Lab.
Qualified projects may not be funded through other cost-share programs.
More information is available online at nwfwater.com. Interested applicants can also email Case.Pilcher@nwfwater.com or Gary.Chew@nwfwater.com.
