The Winneshiek SWCD takes applications requesting cost share for soil and water conservation practices from landowners and producers on an ongoing basis. Field office staff are responsible for conservation planning, developing cost estimates, and ranking applications. Cost share funding is obligated to projects if approved by the SWCD Commissioners (when funding is available).
The main state-funded cost share programs used are:
- Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP)
- Resource Enhancement And Protection (REAP) program
- Water Quality Initiative (WQI) program
- Other cost share opportunities may be available depending on the practice and your location (for example, watershed project funding).
Please contact our office by phone or email to help guide you through the application process.
There may also be financial assistance available through the State Revolving Fund (SRF), which provides Low-Interest Loans for Soil Erosion and Manure Management Practices.
For a full list of conservation practices eligible for financial assistance by the State, visit: Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship.
| State Cost-Share Practices | Cost-Share Rate | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|
| Cover Crops | $30/ac | Producers that have never used this practice before. 160 acre cap |
| Cover Crops | $20/ac | Producers are not first-time users. 160 acre cap |
| No-Till/Strip-till | $10/ac | Producers that have never used this practice before. 160 acre cap |
Grassed Waterway| 50% of cost | Cost-share does not include tile or seeding. | |
Terrace| 50% of cost | Cost-share does not include tile or seeding. | |
| Buffer Initiative (CRP) * Must have approval prior to CRP contract being signed. * Haying subject to CRP rules. | $200/ac | The CRP - $200 Signup program is designed to incentivize landowners to sign up new acres or re-enroll expiring acres for specific CRP conservation practices. Eligible practices include: • Contour Buffer Strips (CP15) • Filter Strips (CP21) • Riparian Buffers (CP22) • Prairie Strips (CP43) • Wetland Restoration (CP23) • Farmable Wetlands (CP27) • Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife (CP9) |
| Buffer Initiative (Non-CRP) * Can be hayed | $300/ac | This initiative offers an incentive for expiring CRP contracts or a new seeding. Practices required in the current farm plan are not eligible for this program. Eligible practices include: • Contour buffer strips (332) • Filter strips (393) • Field borders* (386) – Max 60 feet in width. |
- All practices must be approved prior to starting practice.
- Additional rules and requirements may be associated with practice cost-share.
- Cost-share rates are subject to change and funding may be limited due to annual allocations.
Financial assistance is available for many other conservation practices. Special funding opportunities are also available within targeted watersheds in the county. Check out our Watershed Projects or stop by our office to learn more about financial assistance opportunities.