Small individual grants could cover some drought expenses for Scott Valley farmers

Scott Valley farmers and ranchers, please take a look at this funding opportunity of up to $20,000 in drought relief: California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Small and Underserved Producers drought relief grants, administered by CARCD – California Association of Resource Conservation Districts.

It could help cover some of your costs incurred over the drought years of 2020-2022, such as replacing nozzles on pivots or wheellines. The deadline to apply has recently been extended to February 15, 2023. The application isn’t long but documentation is required.

To be eligible:

·       Your gross farm sales must be at least $10,000 and no more than $400,000.

·       Agriculture must be the primary source of income (over 50%).

·       “Socially disadvantaged” farmers get priority (looks to be mainly based on race)

·       You can only receive CUSP funding every 12 months.

Time period covered:

·        This grant is retroactive, covering drought-related costs you incurred since the drought began (2020-2022).

What’s covered:

·        Production / planting expenses – you must be able to document that you either had lower receipts (or production income, as shown in your taxes) or had extra costs (such as buying grain seed to replace alfalfa, plus added fuel/labor costs to replace an existing alfalfa stand with grain).

• Water cost increases, including water delivery

• Electricity cost increases

• Emergency upgrades to irrigation system (paired with conservation—like water efficiency), if not covered through CDFA OEFI -programs or USDA programs and for other emergency scenarios. This could mean:

• new, more efficient nozzles that you put on your center pivot or wheelline;

• replacing a wheelline with a more efficient center pivot (max amount awarded is $20,000)

• Well equipment installation & emergency upgrades. This could apply if you:

• Installed a variable speed pump for efficiency

• Did repairs on a well damaged by low water table

• Does NOT cover a larger pump that draws more water.

• Drilling of new wells or repairs on existing wells that are the sole source of water for an operation and approved through local GSA as per Governor’s Office moratorium regulation.

• If a well was lowered, it’s only covered if the main source of water was lost (water table dropped below existing well)

• Cost of hauling water for livestock

Not covered:

• Upgrading to a larger pump that will draw more water.

• Funds are only available to reimburse losses due to drought, new purchases are not covered.

Some examples of document you might submit as proof: As you’ll see in the application, these documents are sent to Emily-smet@carcd.org. You should submit documentation that shows every dollar you’re requesting, not just make a request that can’t be backed up with specific proof that those costs were incurred. Examples include:

·        Notification from water district of decreased allocation,

·        notification of water curtailment,

·        receipt or verification of well failure or pump test results showing decreased water flow,

·        seed purchasing receipts showing decreased (or increased) amounts of seed purchased,

·        sales records showing less gross income from previous year,

·        county inspection records.

·        If you have other supporting documentation check "Other" and describe.

Contact Emily Smet with the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts with questions. Emily-smet@carcd.org or (310)343-1544.