Cost Share Funds for Soil Health and Water Quality Practices

On May 27, 2022, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that cost share is available for soil health and water quality practices through the state’s Water Quality Initiative fund. Read the news release here

Practices include cover crops ($15-25/acre), no-till/strip-till ($10/acre), and using a nitrification inhibitor ($3/acre) on up to 160 acres. See flyer for details. To learn more about these conservation practices, visit https://www.cleanwateriowa.org/rural.

In Madison County, cover crops have been the most popular WQI practice. In 2021, Madison SWCD received 19 applications, which resulted in over 2,100 acres being planted to cover crops through the WQI program (not including acres that farmers planted on their own or through other programs). 

First-time users are given priority for funding, but previous users of cover crops are also encouraged to apply. We will accept applications any time between now and when the funding is exhausted, but we strongly encourage applicants to apply early. 

To learn more, or to make an appointment to fill out application materials at the Winterset Field Office, please contact Anna Golightly at 515-462-2961 x 3 or Anna.Golightly@ia.nacdnet.net.

State Cost Share Application Deadline

Madison County landowners and operators interested in cost share for installing conservation practices are encouraged to apply by Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

There are a number of different programs – both federal and state – available that can provide financial assistance for conservation practices.  Two of the common state programs are IFIP (the Iowa Financial Incentives Program) which is used for soil erosion control practices, and REAP (Resource Enhancement And Protection) which is used for forestry, native grass, and water protection practices. 

Frequently used practices in Madison County include terraces, grassed waterways, grade stabilization structures (ponds), pasture and hayland planting, conservation cover, forest stand improvement, tree planting, and windbreaks.  To see a list of all eligible practices for IFIP and REAP funding, visit https://www.madison-swcd.org/state-cost-share-programs/

Madison County SWCD commissioners have set March 15th as the application deadline for the purpose of giving staff ample time to do field visits and conservation planning work before commissioners can start obligating cost share in July.  Landowners and operators are welcome to apply at any time during the year, but applications received by March 15, 2022 will receive priority consideration for the first allocation of funding. 

To learn more, or to make an appointment to visit with staff or fill out application materials at the Winterset Field Office, please contact Anna Golightly at 515-462-2961 x 3 or Anna.Golightly@ia.nacdnet.net

The Big Show Tour Stops in Madison County

October 6, 2020Fred Martens’ Farm
News Release | Photos |Podcast Part 1 (32 min) | Podcast Part 2 (21 min)

October 14, 2020Madison County Fairgrounds
News Release | Photos | Podcast (54 min)

More about the “Clean Water in Iowa Starts Here” campaign