CDFA NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE WATER EFFICIENCY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WETA)

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SACRAMENTO, April 11, 2023 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for its Water Efficiency Technical Assistance (WETA) program.

The 2021 state budget appropriated $15 million for the WETA program, which funds irrigation water efficiency and nutrient management technical assistance grants. The WETA grant program is designed to facilitate technical assistance to agricultural operations for on-farm water and energy use efficiency and nutrient management. 

Through this solicitation, CDFA will award up to $14.25 million to eligible organizations to provide technical assistance to farmers and ranchers through one or more of the program’s three objectives:
1.    Provide on-farm irrigation system evaluations  
2.    Coordinate or provide pump efficiency testing 
3.    Providing training on water use efficiency and nutrient management practices and technology

Resource Conservation Districts, University of California and California State University campuses, California Community Colleges, non-profits, and Federally- and California-Recognized Native American Tribes are eligible to apply for up to $500,000 for a maximum grant term of three years. 

Applications will be accepted in a competitive grant application process. Applications are due June 6, 2023, at 5 p.m. CDFA will host an application webinar during the application period to provide an overview of the program requirements and application process. 

To register for the webinar and to review application materials visit the program website at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/technical/weta.html

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