NRCS offers financial and technical assistance to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner.
Financial Assistance Opportunities
Conservation Innovation Grants
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production.
Conservation Stewardship Program
Through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), 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, agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, and other private 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.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers through contracts up to a maximum term of ten years in length.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) promotes coordination between NRCS and its partners to deliver conservation assistance to producers and landowners. NRCS provides assistance to producers through partnership agreements and through program contracts or easement agreements.
Iowa Payment Schedules
NRCS Payment Schedules
NRCS provides financial assistance for selected conservation practices. The availability and amount of financial assistance can vary between states. Download the Iowa payment schedules above to see which activities qualify, and how much financial assistance is available.
Payment Rates
Each year, NRCS re-evaluates the amount of financial assistance available for each practice in each state. These evaluations consider the current costs for material and labor within the state, and also the fair marketplace compensation for opportunity costs that may arise (e.g. conversion of productive land). If necessary, the amount of financial assistance is adjusted to keep pace with actual costs.
Note: Environmental Quality Incentives Program Conservation Incentives Contract (EQIP-CIC) is a new enrollment option created by section 2304 of the 2018 Farm Bill and will be implemented in fiscal year 2021.
The updated payment schedule is released in the first quarter each Fiscal Year (Oct-Dec).