Small Farm Assistance Program
A one-time rebate for groundwater conservation
The Small Farm Assistance Program for the Paso Robles Area Groundwater Subbasin provides monetary incentives to eligible property owners who voluntarily fallow irrigated agricultural land that has been commercially irrigated within the previous one (1) year and agree to keep that land out of irrigated production through December 31, 2039 — supporting smaller farming operations while helping reduce groundwater demand. To receive a rebate, participants must sign a deed restriction agreeing to the program requirements, which will run with the land. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval or payment. Approved applicants will receive a one-time rebate based on estimated water savings.
Apply while funding is available!
Approved applicants will receive a one-time rebate based on estimated water savings. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval or payment.
Program funding is limited and applications are reviewed against eligibility, available funding, and program priorities.
Eligibility
Enrolled in the Fallowed Land Registry
Fallowed areas must be enrolled in the Paso Robles Area Groundwater Subbasin Multi-Benefit Irrigated Land Repurposing Program Fallowed Land Registry (Registry). Enrollment in the Registry requires maintaining neutral water use for the entire “farming unit” (contiguous or semi-contiguous parcels under common operation).
How the Registry worksSmall Growers
Fallowed areas must be within farming units with 20 acres or less of irrigated crops, including the recently irrigated crops that have been enrolled in the Registry.
Irrigated within Previous Year
Fallowed areas must have been commercially irrigated within the previous one (1) year.
Fallowed through 2039
Fallowed areas must remain out of irrigated agricultural production through December 31, 2039. The fallowed irrigated crops cannot be planted elsewhere on the farming unit; enrollment in the Registry requires maintaining neutral water use for the entire “farming unit” (contiguous or semi-contiguous parcels under common operation).
Actively Managed
Participating property owners must agree to actively manage the fallowed area to prevent substantial growth of noxious weeds, soil erosion, dust, and pests.
How the Rebate Is Calculated
The one-time rebate amount is based on estimated water savings using the following formula. The final amount is subject to County review and approval, subject to funding availability.
Estimated Rebate Amount
The final amount is subject to County review and approval, subject to funding availability.
How to Apply
The application is completed through the Registry and pre-filled with available information from your approved enrollment.
Enroll nowApply
The application is completed through the Registry and pre-filled with available information from your approved enrollment.
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Notification
Eligible Registry participants will be notified when they may qualify for the Small Farm Assistance Program. When you log in, eligible enrollments also show a visible “Rebate eligible” sash.
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Pre-filled Application
The application is pre-filled with property information, APNs, farming unit details, fallowed acreage, and crop information from your approved Registry enrollment.
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Review & Submit
Review the pre-filled information, provide any missing details, confirm the fallowed area, provide rebate check information, preview your deed restriction, and agree to the program terms and conditions.
County Review
County staff review the application information and may contact you with questions or requests for additional documentation and prepare a deed restriction for signatures.
Deed Restriction
Participation requires a recorded agreement between the landowner and the County confirming that the approved fallowed area will remain out of irrigated agricultural production through December 31, 2039. This agreement will run with the land.
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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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Mail to the County
Mail the original signed and notarized document with wet signatures to the County. County staff sign the agreement and record with the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder's Office.
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County confirmation
County staff upload a digital copy of the recorded deed restriction to your Registry account and email you an update.
Mail document to
Director of Planning and Building
County of San Luis Obispo
976 Osos Street, Room 300
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Rebate Check
Receive a rebate check in the mail within 1-2 months of mailing the notarized deed restriction.
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 Registry's 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.
Application submitted
After your application is submitted, County staff will review your application information and may contact you with questions or requests for additional documentation.
County Review
County staff will review your application information and may contact you with questions or requests for additional documentation.
Deed Restriction
If your application is approved, within 1-2 weeks County staff will prepare and email you a deed restriction. A draft deed restriction is available for you to review now.
Notarized signature
Download and print the deed restriction and take it to a public notary for signature.
Mail to the County
Mail the original signed and notarized document with wet signatures to the County.
Recording
County staff will sign the agreement and record with the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder's Office.
County confirmation
County staff will upload a digital copy of the recorded deed restriction to your Registry account and email you an update.
Rebate Check
If approved, within 1-2 months of mailing the notarized deed restriction, you will receive a rebate check in the mail. The rebate check is valid for 6 months from issuance; unclaimed rebates will be reinstated into the funding pool.