Fresno Irrigation District growers can get help with up to 80% of their costs for projects that improve groundwater conservation and irrigation efficiency through a program run by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service and Bureau of Reclamation. The fund helps pay for projects such as drip irrigation or adding soil moisture sensors on farms. It also pays water districts for large-scale work such as new recharge basins. Applications are open until Nov. 6. Though applications go directly to the federal agencies, Fresno Irrigation District growers have a slight edge as the district received a “priority area” designation four years ago, according to Kassy Chauhan, special projects manager for the district. That designation reduces the competition pool to just other growers and districts within their geographic area, she explained.