Section 373.196(1), F.S., encourages cooperation in the development of water supplies and to provide for alternative water supply development. Sections 373.196(1)(f) and 373.1961(3)(a), F.S., authorize the District to provide funding assistance to private water users for the development of alternative water supplies. Section 373.0831(3), F.S. authorizes the District to fund water resource development. Pursuant to these statutes, the FARMS Program was developed to provide funding assistance to agricultural water users for the implementation of alternative water supply development and water resource development projects. Chapter 40D-26, F.A.C., establishes definitions, conditions of eligibility, application procedures, eligibility determination, ranking criteria, and cost-share rates for the FARMS Program.