Programs and Technical Assistance
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
State & County Cost Share Programs
Offers a reimbursement of up to 50% for conservation practices installed on eligible agricultural land. Qualifying practices include grassed waterways, terraces, water and sediment control basins, etc. Technical assistance is available to help determine what practices may be needed and to assist with the design. Now is the time to apply for cost share assistance for Spring and Fall projects. Applicants are funded on a first come, first serve basis so don't hesitate, and Apply Today!
CSP is designed to help producers build on existing conservation efforts and take their land management goals to the next level. CSP is available to all producers, regardless of the operation size or crops produced. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to eligible producers to conserve and enhance soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, prairie land, improved pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest lands, and other agricultural land (including cropped woodland, marshes, and agricultural land used for the production of livestock) on which resource concerns related to agricultural production could be addressed. CSP pays participants for conservation performance, the higher the performance, the higher the payment. CSP provides participants with an annual payment for maintaining their current stewardship level while enhancing their operation to improve certain resources concerns.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP is a voluntary conservation program of the NRCS that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. This program is available to farmers and offers financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. The EQIP application is based on assistance and decisions reached with producers during the conservation planning process. Funded EQIP applications results in a contract which lists the practices to be applied along with an application schedule and federal funds committed. Conservation practices applied with EQIP funds are to be maintained for the service life of the practices, which may be longer than the term of the EQIP contract.
No-Interest Loans
Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP)
The Iowa Financial Incentive Program available through the local Soil and Water Conservation District Office.
IFIP provides cost share for apply conservation practices that have a positive impact on the environment. Applicants are funded on a first come, first serve basis so don't hesitate, and Apply Today!
The 1983 State Legislature established the conservation practices revolving loan fund to provide loans to eligible landowners at no interest for the construction of permanent soil conservation practices. Eligible landowners may borrow up to $20,000 for a 10-year period. Repayment is made in 10 annual payments equal to 10% of the initial loan amount. In the of land ownership transfer, payment is due immediately.
The Revolving Loan Fund is an alternative to the traditional cost share program. It allows a landowner to put a conservation practice out eh ground today, with payments extended out over a ten year period.
Fund allocations are made to soil and water conservation district, commissioners et priorities for their use, and field office staff assure the technical quality of practices built. These practices are also subject to maintenance agreements. Unlike the cost share program, management practices are not authorized.
Low Interest State Revolving Loan Fund
The State Revolving Loan Fund is a new source of low-cost financing available to landowners. This opportunity is available specifically to assist and encourage landowners to address non-point source pollution of Iowa streams and lakes. Virtually all practices eligible for State Cost Share, REAP, and EQIP are eligible for this loan.
Questions about programs and cost share?
Find out what funding we have available for water quality practices
Give us a call at 515-432-2316 ext #3
Or visit the office at 1602 Sneddon Drive, Boone, IA, 50036
Or email: sarah.hanson@ia.nacdnet.net