{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Dataset",
  "name": "California SWEEP Grant Program Facts",
  "description": "Key facts about the CDFA SWEEP (State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program) grant for California farmers.",
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "AgWaterAI",
    "url": "https://agwaterai.com"
  },
  "dateModified": "2026-03-06",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "keywords": ["SWEEP", "CDFA", "California grants", "irrigation efficiency", "farm grants", "EQIP"],
  "data": {
    "sweep": {
      "full_name": "State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program",
      "administrator": "CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture)",
      "max_award": 200000,
      "cost_share": "75%",
      "max_per_acre": 200,
      "status": "PAUSED — CDFA transitioned to Block Grant Recipient (BGR) model. No BGR covers Tulare or Madera County. Direct-to-CDFA expected to reopen H2 2026. Prop 4 new BGRs expected late 2027.",
      "deadlines_2026": [],
      "eligible_expenses": [
        "Soil moisture sensors",
        "Weather stations",
        "Flow meters",
        "VFD pump drives",
        "Irrigation scheduling software",
        "Telemetry equipment"
      ],
      "scoring": {
        "water_savings": { "max_points": 40, "description": "Projected water conservation" },
        "ghg_reduction": { "max_points": 40, "description": "Greenhouse gas emission reductions" },
        "project_readiness": { "max_points": 20, "description": "Implementation timeline and feasibility" }
      },
      "competitive_score": "60+ out of 100"
    },
    "eqip": {
      "full_name": "Environmental Quality Incentives Program",
      "administrator": "NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service)",
      "max_award": 450000,
      "cost_share": "90% for Practice 449 (CA High Priority Practice)",
      "practice_code": "449 - Irrigation Water Management",
      "intake": "Rolling (year-round) — ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS NOW",
      "stackable_with_sweep": true
    },
    "combined_funding_range": "$50,000 - $650,000+",
    "free_wizard": "https://agwaterai.com/grants",
    "active_path": "EQIP is the primary funding path as of March 2026. Practice 449 covers soil moisture sensors and telemetry with 90% cost share for all California producers."
  }
}