RURAL PROGRAMS & RESOURCES

Low Interest Loan

Program

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The Iowa Water Quality Loan Fund is a source of low-cost financing available to landowners for eligible practices.  Loans may range from $5000 up to $500,000 per borrower with terms up to 15 years.  You can fund up to 100% of the actual costs at an interest for the life of the loan through your local lender. The practice must meet NRCS specifications.

Conservation Reserve

Program

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The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program for agricultural landowners.. Through CRP, you can receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource conserving convers on eligible farmland. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) makes annual rental payments based on the agricultural rental value of the land, and it rovides cost-share assistance up to 50 percent of the participants cost in establishing approved conservation practices. 

Conservation Stewardship Program

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Through CSP, NRCS will provide 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, pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest lands, agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, and other private agricultural land.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

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The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. Through EQIP, agricultural producers receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land.

Iowa Financial Incentive

Program

The Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) is a state funded cost share program available through the local Soil and Water Conservation District Office.  IFIP provides cost share for applying conservation practices that have a positive impact on the environment.

Resource Enhancement And Protection (REAP)

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These funds are available to landowners for soil and water conservation and enhancement projects and practices. Project money is directed towards protecting the state's surface and ground water resources from point and non-point sources of contamination. Project money is directed towards reforestation, woodland protection and enhancement, protection of highly erodible soils, and water quality protection.