Ag Water Management Plan

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): Financial Assistance | NRCS (usda.gov).

NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Through these programs the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural lands

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CPS) (Conservation Stewardship Program) helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns. Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance—the higher the performance, the higher the payment.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against increasing weather volatility.

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)

CDFA offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to promote natural resources health, maximize ecosystem services, and support statewide goals to combat the effects of climate change through land management. These programs provide technical and financial support to growers to facilitate soil health improvements and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions.

The Healthy Soils Program (HSP) Incentives Program (CDFA - OEFI - Healthy Soils Program (ca.gov) ) provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers and rancher's implementation of HSP practices. The HSP has two components: the HSP Incentives Program and the HSP Demonstration Projects. The Healthy Soils Program (HSP) stems from the California Healthy Soils Initiative, a collaboration of state agencies and departments to promote the development of healthy soils on California's farmlands and ranchlands.

The Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) (CDFA - OEFI - AMMP (ca.gov)) provides financial assistance for the implementation of non-digester manure management practices in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) (CDFA - OEFI - State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program (ca.gov))provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. Eligible system components include (among others) soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, switching to low pressure irrigation systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives and installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water use and energy.

United States Geologic Survey (USGS)

The State Water Resources Research Act Program (The United States Geological Survey Water Resources Research Act Program (usgs.gov)), authorized by section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, is a Federal-State partnership which:

Plans, facilitates, and conducts research to aid in the resolution of State and regional water problems
Promotes technology transfer and the dissemination and application of research results
Provides for the training of scientists and engineers through their participation in research
Provides for competitive grants to be awarded under the Water Resources Research Act

The state water resources research institutes (WRRI) authorized by the Act are organized as the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR). NIWR cooperates with the USGS to support, coordinate and facilitate research through the Annual Base Grants, National Competitive Grants, Coordination Grants, and in operating the NIWR-USGS Student Internship Program.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) (Agriculture Money-Back Solutions (pge.com))

PG&E recognizes the agricultural industry’s energy and water demands. In response, they offer a variety of rebates and programs to help agricultural businesses reduce energy usage and cost. Whether its irrigation, mechanical controls, ventilation or lighting, there are unique solutions available to help reduce energy usage in these areas and more. Historic services have included financial and technical assistance for pump tests.

Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP) (Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP) (pumpefficiency.org)) The Advanced Pumping Efficiency Program (APEP) is an educational and incentive program intended to improve overall pumping efficiency and encourage energy conservation in California. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is funding APEP through 2021 using Public Purpose Programs Funds under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) at California State University, Fresno administers the program.

Energy Solutions for Agriculture and Irrigation (Energy Solutions for Agriculture and Irrigation (pge.com)). PG&E offers an educational fact sheet for energy reduction solutions as well as rebates for equipment upgrades, and other rebate options available for business customers.

ALTA IRRIGATION DISTRICT

The Agriculture Water Management Plan Update, volume 4 of 4, will be adopted by the Board of Directors on November 12, 2015 & submitted to California Department of Water Resources by or before December 31, 2015