Federal, state and county programs are available to agricultural and urban landowners. These programs provide technical and financial assistance to implement conservation practices.
STATE & COUNTY COST SHARE PROGRAM offers a reimbursement of 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, Apply today.
URBAN INITIATIVE COST SHARE PROGRAM offers a reimbursement of 50% (up to $2,000) for landscape practices that protect and enhance water quality and address drainage problems. 75% of stormwater runoff must be managed on site to qualify. Practices that qualify for cost share include rain gardens, bio-retention cells and swales, permeable paving, soil quality restoration (deep tined aeration and the application of compost to lawn), etc. Funds are limited and are approved on a first come, first served basis. Rural and urban Scott County residents and businesses are eligible to apply. This program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and Scott County Regional Authority.
CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (CSP) is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural and forestry producers to address resource concerns by improving and maintaining existing conservation systems and undertaking additional conservation activities to enhance their operation. CSP is available to all producers, regardless of the operation size or crops produced. To be eligible, applicants must be listed as the operator of record in the USDA farm management system. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forest land. CSP pays participants for conservation performance – the higher the performance, the higher the payment. This program provides participants with an annual payment for maintaining their current stewardship level while enhancing their operation to improve certain resource concerns.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (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, vegetative and management practices on eligible agricultural land. EQIP applications are accepted year-round with periodic cut-off dates announced for ranking and funding submitted applications.