The Agriculture Water Optimization Grant Program is a grant from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, administered by the Utah Board of Water Resources, that funds agricultural producers and irrigation infrastructure improvements to optimize water use and create water resiliency in Utah.

The program supports innovative agricultural practices and new or updated infrastructure to maintain viable agriculture without increasing water depletions. Eligible applicants include farms and irrigation or canal companies in Utah.

Awards provide up to $1,000,000 for irrigation and canal companies and up to $500,000 for farms, with cost share of up to 75% for measurement, telemetry, and reporting projects, and 50% for all other water optimization projects. A minimum 10% out-of-pocket contribution is required. Real-time metering is a funded priority.

Agricultural Water Optimization Program | Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Agricultural Water Optimization Program To help agricultural producers optimize their water use to create water resiliency in Utah.

The Agricultural Water Optimization Program improves the use of water resources and maintains viable agriculture without increasing depletions through innovative agricultural practices and the funding of new and updated infrastructure.

Up to 75% cost share for measurement, telemetry and reporting projects 50% cost share for all other water optimization projects Real-time metering is required on all projects: Daily recording of all water that flows through the system The meter must be able to record and store data Data from the meter will be used in annual reports The maximum grant amount for irrigation/canal companies is $1,000,000 The maximum grant amount for farms is $500,000 A 10% minimum out-of-pocket contribution (can be your labor) which must be documented in your payment requests Annual reports on water usage and crop production are required for 3 years after project completion 50% of the funding is withheld until the project is complete.

This includes: The final report has been approved Final inspection has documented that the project meets all the program requirements Water Optimization Program Policy R64-4 Water Optimization Rule Participants in the Agricultural Water Optimization Program requiring payment should contact their local planner to initiate a payment request.

Contact a Water Optimization Planner in Your Area Please note that this is a reimbursement-based program and payments can only be issued for items already received and work that has been completed. Payments will be processed in the order they are received. Additional documentation may be required during the payment process, which might cause delays.

For additional questions, please reach out via email to udaf-wateroptimization@ utah. gov . Final reporting should be done in cooperation with your assigned UDAF Planner.

Schedule a site visit with your UDAF Planner to complete your final reporting and submit it for final reimbursement. Incomplete reporting is not accepted .

Water Loss Study Final Reporting After a FULL irrigation season, an annual report must be submitted every year for 3 years FY 26 On-Farm Annual Reporting FY 26 Irrigation Company Annual Reporting Agricultural Water Optimization Dashboard FY 26 Irrigation Company Ranking Sheets FY 26 Irrigation Company Criteria Sheet FY 26 On-Farm Ranking Sheets FY 26 On-Farm Funding Criteria Sheet Water Optimization Planners Water Optimization Planner Water Optimization Planner Summit, Wasatch, Morgan, Davis, Salt Lake, Weber Water Optimization Planner Carbon, Emery, Wayne, Garfield, Kane, Grand, San Juan Water Optimization Planner Utah, Juab, Millard, Sanpete, Sevier, Piute, Beaver, Iron, Washington Water Optimization Planner Duchesne, Uintah, Daggett Water Optimization Program For general inquiries, please email [email protected] .

Water Optimization Assistant Program Manager: Grants, Payments and Contracting Water Optimization Assistant Program Manager: Field Operations and Reporting Water Optimization Program Manager Note: Grant funds may be considered taxable income. Please consult a tax professional with any questions.