Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP)
| Jurisdiction: | Federal |
| Incentive Type: | Grant Program |
| Industries: | Infrastructure, Technology, Agricultural |
| Eligible Sector: | Government |
| Category: | Financial Incentive |
| Time Period | FY 2015 |
| Governing Body: | United state department of Agriculture |
| What’s it worth?: | Not mentioned |
The Agricultural Water Enhancement Program provides financial and technical assistance for agricultural water enhancement activities. The program’s objective is to provide farmers and ranchers with the resources they need to apply agriculture water enhancement activities effectively. Prioritized partners include producers who are able to demonstrate an irrigation history; eligible partner applicants include:
- Federally recognized Indian tribes
- State governments
- Local governments
- Agricultural associations
- Silvicultural associations
- Groups of agricultural producers
Other proposal ranking components include:
- Percentage of agricultural land and producers in region
- Amount of current conservation activities
- Significance of the enhancements
- Allowance for monitoring and evaluation
- Assistance of agricultural producers
- Project objectives
- Areas water quantity concern level
- Conversion projects
- Projects with partners
$60 million is available for allocation. Funds may be used for:
- Water conservation
- Water quality improvement
- Conservation planning
These efforts will protect farmland by:
- Protecting from Flooding
- Reducing potential chemical waste
- Reducing potential hydrocarbons waste
- Reducing potential ag waste
Eligible participants must submit an application to be considered for this funding opportunity. Applicants must contact the USDA Service Center and schedule an appointment with NRCS staff to identify farm problems and opportunities, inventory farm soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources. Applications should be submitted electronically on the Grants.gov website or mailed to the USDA.
