Notice to Growers within Westlands Water District Groundwater Sustainability
The California Department of Water Resources awarded Westlands Water District (District) Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) and three other GSAs a total of up to $12 million through the LandFlex Program (LandFlex). The distribution of funds will be based on eligible applications submitted by growers in each GSA. LandFlex aims to protect groundwater supply from overdraft, specifically safeguarding drinking water wells, by incentivizing growers to use less
groundwater.
LandFlex will provide financial incentives to growers with a 3-year average Adjusted Gross Income of $2.5 million or less, for each enrolled acre up to 40 acres or 25% of their total acreage, whichever is greater. Growers will be paid from the following combined payment sources, based on performance factors for each:
- Provide Immediate Drought Relief by Fallowing Land
- Overdraft/Sustainability Payment
- Transition to More Climate-Resilient Ag Practices
Interested growers can apply through the LandFlex portal starting Wednesday, June 14th, 2023. The application period will remain open until Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
You can learn more about LandFlex by participating in an informational virtual meeting through Zoom hosted by the District on Thursday, June 15th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Join the virtual meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone using this link. You may also visit LandFlex Website or contact the following Technical Assistance Providers:
- Almond Alliance
- Aubrey Bettencourt, (209)300-7140, aubrey@almondalliance.org
- Community Alliance with Family Farmers
- Paul Towers, (530)756-8518, info@caff.org
- Self Help Enterprises
- Eddie Ocampo, (559)802-1683, EddieO@selfhelpenterprises.org
- Western United Dairies Foundation
- Anja Raudabaugh, (209)527-6453, anja@wudairies.com
- Allison Tristao, allison@wudairies.com
- Kyle Lutz, kyle@wudairies.com
No. 708