The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is now accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2023 Agricultural Water Conservation Grants.  

The Agricultural Water Conservation Grants Program offers grants for projects that support agricultural irrigation conservation strategies in alignment with the state water plan and demonstrate agricultural water conservation best management practices.

Up to $1.2 in grant funding is available to eligible political subdivisions and state agencies for agricultural water conservation projects that improve irrigation efficiency, enhance resilience to weather extremes and climate variability and promote innovation in agriculture. 

Selected projects will further water conservation in the state and serve the public interest by supporting the implementation of water conservation strategies identified in the state and regional water plans.  

Previously funded projects include: demonstrations, education and research of conservation practices; equipment cost-share of water use monitoring equipment; and irrigation efficiency improvements. 

Created by the 69th Texas Legislature in 1985, the Agricultural Water Conservation Program promotes agricultural water conservation across the state by providing financial assistance in the form of grants and loans, predominantly in rural areas of Texas where agriculture is an important sector of the local economy.  

From 2011 through 2020, the Agricultural Water Conservation Program has committed $26.5 million in funding and saved an estimated 621,952 acre-feet of water. 

The 2023 agricultural water conservation grant applications are due to TWDB by Feb. 8 at 2 p.m.  

Projects that receive grants must adhere to the Texas Administrative Code Title 31 Section 367.

The full request for application and instructions on how to apply for the agricultural water conservation grants, as well as a list of previously funded projects, are available on TWDB’s Agricultural Conservation website. 

Interested applicants may contact TWDB agricultural conservation staff at agconservation@twdb.texas.gov with questions and for more information.

TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional water and flood planning and preparing the state water and flood plans. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control and agricultural water conservation projects.