By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Applications for the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) 2024 Agricultural Water Conservation Grants are now being accepted.

Grants are 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.

“We’re looking to improve agricultural water conservation efficiency across the state. Our producers are already doing their best at saving water, and we want to make sure that they have the funds available to make those improvements,” Antonio Delgado, TWDB engineering specialist, said.

Conservation programs and projects that support agricultural irrigation conservation strategies in alignment with the state water plan and demonstrate agricultural water conservation best management practices may apply.

Programs and projects that have previously received grants have focused on irrigation efficiency, demonstrations and technology transfer, educational outreach and equipment cost share.

Up to $1.5 million in funding is available through the Agricultural Water Conservation Grants Program.

“Often, in times of drought, farmers realize that they want to conserve more, and that’s when they have even less money to do so. That’s where a grant program is there for. In those times when they don’t necessarily have the funds to make those improvements, we can help out,” Delgado told the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network.

The program has been promoting agricultural water conservation efforts since 1985. From 2014 through 2023, the Agriculture Water Conservation Fund committed $25.4 million in funding and saved over 600,000 acre-feet of water.

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

Applications are due to TWDB by April 3 at 2:00 p.m.

More information about the program, previously funded projects and the application process is available on the TWDB website.

TWDB will host webinars on March 6 and March 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to provide additional information about the program and the application process. Click here to register.