Agriculture, Soil Health, and Water Efficiency Innovation Pilot

The Agriculture, Soil Health, and Water Efficiency Innovation Pilot is administered by the Arizona Department of Agriculture through its Agricultural Consultation and Training program. The program is funded by the Agriculture and Water Innovation Fund, which was created under state statute A.R.S. § 3-109.04. The legislature appropriated $2,000,000 to the Fund, with $1,800,000 set aside for competitive grant awards during the fiscal year 2026 grant cycle. The initiative reflects the state’s investment in supporting innovative strategies that conserve water resources and improve soil health in the agricultural sector. The program’s purpose is to provide financial support to eligible agricultural landowners, beneficial owners of trust land, lessees, and irrigation districts who implement water-focused soil health innovations. It emphasizes projects that can generate measurable data to guide future policy and practice in Arizona’s agriculture sector. Grant funds are intended for projects that directly improve soil health while enhancing water-use efficiency, reflecting the dual goals of conservation and sustainable agricultural productivity. Funding may be awarded to multiple applicants, though the Arizona Department of Agriculture may impose a per-application cap to ensure distribution across a range of projects. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching contributions, lowering the financial barrier for applicants. Award sizes have not been specified, but applicants should expect that allocations will be determined based on project scope, available funds, and agency priorities. Grants will be drawn exclusively from the state-appropriated Agriculture and Water Innovation Fund. Eligible applicants include agricultural landowners, beneficial owners of trust land, and lessees who have actively farmed or demonstrated intentional water conservation in at least three of the five years preceding the application date. Additionally, irrigation districts established under Arizona law may apply if they are doing so for the benefit of their members. This ensures that both individual producers and collective water management entities have access to the funding. Applicants must demonstrate compliance with the eligibility requirements outlined in the program announcement. Applications must be submitted online through the eCivis platform. The application window opens on October 1, 2025, and closes on November 12, 2025. There is no pre-application step or letter of intent required. Award announcements are expected after the close of the cycle, with performance beginning in fiscal year 2026. The program is designed as a pilot initiative under Arizona statute and is not explicitly identified as recurring, though future funding will depend on legislative appropriation. Program inquiries are directed to Damian Gudino of the Agriculture and Food System Support Division at the Arizona Department of Agriculture. He may be reached by email at dgudino@azda.gov or by phone at (602) 361-8720. His office is located at 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 450, Phoenix, Arizona 85007. Interested applicants should direct all program and submission-related questions to his office for clarification.