Iowa NRCS Programs

Quick Links
CSP - Conservation Stewardship Program
GRP - Grassland Reserve Program
EQIP -  Environmental Quality Incentives Program
WHIP - Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program
WRP - Wetlands Reserve Program

• Community Assistance Programs and Activities
  • Small, Limited, and Beginning Farmer Assistance | Spanish
  • Tribal Government Assistance
  • Community Assistance
• Conservation Innovation Grants - a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
• Conservation Operations - Conservation operations is the NRCS day-to-day technical assistance program.
• Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - Mid Contract Management Iowa Job Sheets
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) - 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, 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. Participation in the program is voluntary.
  • Conservation Security Program - a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural working lands and enhances the condition of America's natural resources.
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - EQIP is a voluntary conservation program 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.
  • Organic Initiative
  • Energy Initiative
  • Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative
  • Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI)
  • Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP)
  • National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)
• Farm Bill Programs
  • Farm Bill Brochure
  • FY11 Maps - Maps showing how FY11 Farm Bill Program funds, along with Emergency Watershed Protection funding, were distributed in Iowa.
  • FY10 Maps - Maps showing how FY10 Farm Bill Program funds, along with Emergency Watershed Protection funding, were distributed in Iowa.
  • FY09 Maps - Maps showing how FY09 Farm Bill Program funds were distributed in Iowa.
  • FY07 Maps - Maps showing how FY07 Farm Bill Program funds were distributed and resulting contracts in Iowa.
  • FY06 Maps - Maps showing how FY06 Farm Bill Program funds were distributed and resulting contracts in Iowa.
  • FY04 Maps - Maps showing how FY04 Farm Bill Program funds were distributed and resulting contracts in Iowa.
  • FY03 Maps - Maps showing how FY03 Farm Bill Program funds were distributed and resulting contracts in Iowa.
• Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) - Dedicated to slow the rate of conversion of prime and unique agricultural land to urban development.
• Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) - voluntary conservation program that helps private landowners and operators restore and protect grassland, including rangeland and pastureland.
• A Guide to Conservation Programs: for Iowa Landowners (PDF, 1.1 MB) (Updated 8/12/10) - purposes, practices, eligibility, contract info and contacts for:
  • Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation
  • Ag Drainage Well Closure
  • Coal Mining
  • Conservation Practices No-interest Loans
  • Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Constructed Wetlands
  • Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
  • Conservation Security Program (CSP)
  • Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)
  • Cooperative Soil Survey
  • Debt Cancellation Conservation Contract
  • District Initiatives
  • DNR Watershed Improvement Program
  • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
  • Farm Pond Program
  • Fish Habitat Restoration
  • General Non-Point Source Program
  • Integrated Farm and Livestock Management
  • Iowa Financial Incentives Cost Share
  • Minerals Mining
  • On-site Wastewater Assistance Fund
  • Partners for Fish and Wildlife
  • Publicly Owned Lakes Program
  • REAP Water Quality Protection Practices
  • REAP Water Quality Protection Projects
  • Small Wetlands Program
  • State Revolving Fund (SRF) Low-Interest Loan Program
  • State Watershed Protection Practices
  • Watershed Improvement Review Board (WIRB)
  • Watershed Protection Program
  • Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
  • Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
• Manure Management - Provides a vehicle for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to improve manure management in Iowa.
• Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI) - To improve the health of the Mississippi River Basin, including water quality and wildlife habitat, the Natural Resources Conservation Service is developing the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI).
• National Resources Inventory(NRI)
• Northern Plains Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (NPMBHI) - Provides technical and financial assistance for restoring wetlands drained for agricultural uses; managing farmed wetlands in ways that reduce impacts on wildlife and water quality; and keeping unaltered wetlands in their current condition.
• PL-566 - The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program
• Plant Materials - The Elsberry Plant Materials Center serving Iowa released 27 trees, shrubs and native grass and forb seed species to Iowa seed growers who produce seed and bare root stock for conservation purposes.
• Small Watershed Program - Planning for watershed project rehabilitation.
• Soil Survey - Modern soil surveys are available in all 99 Iowa Counties.
• Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) - provides technical and financial assistance to willing owners of eligible lands to restore, create, or enhance wetlands through conservation easements and restoration cost-share agreements to improve migratory birds and wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and aid in flood control and ground water recharge.
• Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) - A voluntary program that helps landowners develop wildlife habitat on private lands.

Electronic Forms

• CCC-1250 and NRCS-LTP-1:  Application for Long-Term Contracted Assistance
• CCC-1257 and NRCS-LTP-24:  Notice of Intent to Continue
• CCC-1202 and NRCS FNM-141:  Application for Payment

Contact:
Larry Beeler, Asst. State Conservationist (Programs)
Phone: 515-284-4353

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