Helping the Community Grow with Agriculture Grant Programs

Agriculture has been at the root of Rainbow Water's operations since it was founded by a group of farmers in 1953. As a small rural community serving Bonsall, Rainbow, parts of Oceanside, Vista and Fallbrook, Rainbow Water remains steadfast in continuing the rich agricultural legacy of the land and works to identify new ways to keep the legacy by providing grant opportunities for growers. Read below for grant programs available for growers. 

Regional CropSWAP

The Regional CropSWAP or Sustainable Water for Agricultural Production, a regional program focused on reviving the agricultural community through crop conversion projects, has reopened funding for agriculture projects.  

Rainbow Water experienced incredible success with the Regional CropSWAP program within the first two months of the launch in Spring 2024, and agriculture customers have received over $1 million in reserved grant funding to revitalize their properties. As a result, the program has been extended, and customers are encouraged to apply online to submit new projects. The program administrators will review the projects and follow up once the projects are complete.  

The program offers growers the opportunity to switch to water-efficient crop varieties, implement irrigation efficiency upgrades, upgrade avocado rootstocks for improved tree health, or rejuvenate avocado trees through stumping. Completion of a comprehensive crop upgrade will optimize water use, boost crop productivity, and sustain the agriculture community for the future. 

Space is limited for funding. Read more about the program and apply on the Regional CropSWAP page.

The Fruit Guys Community Fund

The Fruit Guys Community Fund is a Northern California-based community initiative that began in 2012 as a non-profit project to revive local farms with grant funds. Today, Fruit Guys offers grant funding for small farms and sustainability projects across the United States.  

2026 Grant Application Details:

• Applications open December 1, 2025 
• Grants for up to $5,000 for small farms of 250 acres or less 
• Applicants must be farm owners
• Farms must be active for at minimum of two years 
• One application per farm accepted per cycle
• Grants are awarded in May 2026 and projects completed by December 2026

For more information and to subscribe to The Fruit Guys newsletter, visit:
fruitguyscommunityfund.org/apply/