In Iowa, over $16 million are available in grants, cost-share & loans each year through several state agencies including the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), Iowa’s NRCS offices, the Iowa Soybean Association, and local NGOs like Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI).

Below are some of the funding opportunities available directly to Iowa producers.

Iowa Conservation Cost-Share

Description: Iowan farmers interested in conservation agriculture can apply for funds from the Iowa State Department of Agriculture’s pool of conservation cost-share dollars. The funds are available through local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). Funds can be used to implement conservation practices like terraces, grade stabilization, grassed waterways and cover crops, among others. In 2019, 978 Iowan farmers received cost share from this pool of funds to implement conservation practices.

Type of funding: Cost-Share

Type of application: Information not currently available

Program focus area: Conservation

Maximum award amount: Information not currently available

Average award amount: $6,646 per farm (with a 1:1 match from farmers bringing the total award per farm to $13,292 in 2019)

Deadline to apply: Continuous

Application acceptance rate: Information not currently available

How to apply: If you’re interested in this program, contact our team at info@farmraise.us or set up some time with us during our free office hours to discuss next steps.

Iowa State Revolving Loan Fund

Description: The state of Iowa has put in place a Revolving Loan Fund to help farmers finance the costs of implementing common conservation practices. Interested farmers can apply through their local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), who will then work with farmers to design the practice and its implementation. Loans made through this fund can have terms of up to 15 years, fund up to 100% of actual costs, and incur an interest rate of no more than 3% that is fixed for the life of the loan. The funds from this revolving loan pool can be used to match cost-share dollars.

Type of funding: Loan

Type of application: Standard Form

Program focus area: Conservation

Maximum award amount: $500,000

Average award amount: Information not currently available

Deadline to apply: Continuous

Application acceptance rate: Non-competitive; experts say “there is plenty of funding available.”

How to apply: If you’re interested in this program, contact our team at info@farmraise.us or set up some time with us during our free office hours to discuss next steps.

Iowa Cover Crop Insurance Demonstration Project

Description: [This program is currently closed, but stay tuned!]

Type of funding: Other (crop insurance rebate)

Type of application: Standard Form

Program focus area: Conservation

Maximum award amount: $5 per acre

Average award amount: Information not currently available

Deadline to apply: January

Application acceptance rate: Information not currently available

How to apply: If you’re interested in this program, contact our team at info@farmraise.us or set up some time with us during our free office hours to discuss next steps.

Soil Outcomes Fund

Description: A joint project of the Iowa Soybean Association and Quantified Ventures, the Soil Outcomes Fund is an provides financial incentives to farmers for implementing cover crops and reduced tillage practices, among other water quality and soil health oriented practices. The Soil Outcomes Fund is currently open to Iowa producers, but will be expanding scope in the coming months and years. Eligible farmers cannot be participating in another conservation financial incentives program and must be working to implement new practices (you cannot get paid for what you are already doing).

Type of funding: Other (incentive)

Type of application: Standard Form

Program focus area: Conservation/Environment

Maximum award amount: Information not currently available

Average award amount: Information not currently available

Duration: Information not currently available

Deadline to apply: Continuous

Application acceptance rate: Information not currently available

How to apply: If you’re interested in this program, contact our team at info@farmraise.us or set up some time with us during our free office hours to discuss next steps.