IMAGE Cost Share Program

The Indiana Management of Agriculture Enhancements (IMAGE) Cost-Share Program is a conservation funding initiative administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to help producers implement practical conservation improvements. IMAGE provides financial assistance and technical support for projects that improve livestock management, strengthen farm infrastructure, improve soil health, and protect Indiana's natural resources, delivered in partnership with Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), NRCS, and other partners. Made possible through Clean Water Indiana funding, approved participants may receive reimbursement for up to seventy-five percent (75%) of eligible project costs through a competitive ranking process, subject to available funds. Eligible practices include Heavy Use Area Protection (NRCS 561), Pasture and Hay Planting (NRCS 512), Watering Facility (NRCS 614), Livestock Pipeline (NRCS 516), Soil Amendments, and committee-approved unfunded EQIP practices, installed to NRCS specifications.

Producers in the pilot coverage area, comprising these Indiana counties: Brown, Clay, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Johnson, Knox, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, and Warrick. Applications are evaluated by the IMAGE Ranking Committee.

Cost-share reimbursement of up to seventy-five percent (75%) of eligible project costs for approved conservation practices. Funding is awarded through a competitive ranking process and is subject to available program funds; selected applicants receive notice of funding approval and their maximum reimbursement amount.

This is a reimbursement program — the applicant must pay project costs upfront. Reimbursement occurs only after ISDA verifies practice installation, the applicant submits paid receipts and required documentation, and ISDA confirms the project meets NRCS and locally approved standards.

Timeline: producers have 12 months from the date of approval to install approved practices, with a progress check-in 6 months after award approval. Extension requests may be considered case by case.

No per-applicant dollar ceiling and no per-practice payment rate is published on the program page or in the IMAGE fact sheet — the maximum reimbursement amount is set individually in each award notice.

Producers contact their local Resource Specialist or Soil and Water Conservation District office to discuss project ideas and eligibility, then submit an application for review. Applications are ranked and selected by the IMAGE Ranking Committee; selected applicants receive an award notice with their maximum reimbursement amount. Producers have 12 months from approval to install approved practices (with a 6-month progress check-in). Reimbursement of up to 75% of eligible costs follows verification and receipt review.