Small Farm Assistance Program
The Paso Robles Area Groundwater Subbasin Small Farm Assistance Program provides monetary incentives to eligible property owners who voluntarily fallow irrigated agricultural land and keep that land out of irrigated production through December 31, 2039 — supporting smaller farming operations while helping reduce groundwater demand.
A one-time rebate for fallowing
The Small Farm Assistance Program is connected to the Paso Robles Area Groundwater Subbasin Multi-Benefit Irrigated Land Repurposing Program Fallowed Land Registry. To participate, eligible fallowed areas must be enrolled in the Registry and must meet the program requirements.
Approved applicants may receive a one-time rebate based on the number of acres fallowed, the crop-specific applied water value, the number of years the land will remain fallowed, and the program rebate rate.
Who May Be Eligible
During the first phase, eligibility is focused on smaller farming units. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval or payment.
Smaller Farming Units
Applicants may be eligible if their farming unit includes up to 20 acres of irrigated crops and the proposed fallowed area meets the program requirements.
Enrolled & Irrigated
Eligible lands must be enrolled in the Fallowed Land Registry and must have been commercially irrigated within the required timeframe.
Fallowed Through 2039
The fallowed area must remain out of irrigated agricultural production through December 31, 2039 to qualify for and retain program incentives.
Actively Managed
The fallowed area must be actively managed to prevent substantial growth of noxious weeds, soil erosion, dust, and pests.
County Review
Submitting an application does not guarantee approval or payment. County staff will review each application for eligibility, available funding, and required documentation.
How the Rebate Is Calculated
The rebate amount is calculated using the following formula. The final amount is subject to County review and approval.
Estimated Rebate Amount
The final rebate amount is subject to County review and approval.
How to Apply
The application is completed through the Registry and pre-filled with available information from your approved enrollment.
Notification
Eligible Registry participants will be notified when they may qualify for the Small Farm Assistance Program.
Pre-filled Application
The application is pre-filled with property information, APNs, farming unit details, fallowed acreage, and crop information from your approved enrollment.
Review & Submit
Review the pre-filled information, provide any missing details, confirm the fallowed area, provide rebate check information, and submit the required certifications.
After You Apply
County staff review the information and may contact you with questions or requests for additional documentation, such as a current title report or lot book guarantee needed to prepare the deed restriction.
Deed Restriction Requirement
Participation requires a recorded deed restriction confirming that the approved fallowed area will remain out of irrigated agricultural production through December 31, 2039.
Required steps
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Review the document
Download, print, and review the County-prepared document for accuracy.
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Notarize your signature
Sign it in front of a notary public.
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Record with the County
Record the original signed and notarized document with the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder's Office.
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Submit for County review
County staff must receive and review the recorded deed restriction before final rebate payment can be approved.
Mail recorded document to
Recipient
Director of Planning and Building
County of San Luis Obispo
Mailing address
976 Osos Street, Room 300
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Funding & Program Notes
Program funding is limited and applications are reviewed against eligibility, available funding, and program priorities.
Limited Funding
If available funding is exhausted, additional applications may not be accepted or may be placed on hold, depending on County direction.
Dry-Well Priority
If more eligible applications are received than funding can support, priority may be given to applications near reported dry wells.
Water Neutrality
Fallowed areas receiving incentives are excluded from the water neutrality benchmark through 2039 — fallowed crops cannot be replanted elsewhere on the farming unit.
Applicants are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, and program requirements. County approval of a Small Farm Assistance Program application does not guarantee a right to use groundwater and does not replace any other applicable federal, state, or local requirements.
Have questions about the program?
For questions about the Small Farm Assistance Program, application requirements, or the deed restriction process, please contact County staff.