Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship (IDALS)

To apply, contact your local IDALS office using this map.
Or, apply directly online from this portal.

Matt McDonald

The state of Iowa allocates funds to local soil and water conservation districts, where commissioners set priorities for their use, and field office staff assure the technical quality of practices built. Iowa farmers interested in improving their land's soil and water health can apply to receive cost shares for temporary or permanent conservation practices.

By investing in soil conservation, you receive the best of both worlds: you improve the productivity of your farm and keep sediment out of the water. The work you do on your farm permanently benefits the quality of life in Iowa.


**Temporary practices**

No-till

Strip till

Contouring

Field Borders

Cover Crops

Ridge till

Critical Area Planting

Contour strip cropping

Filter strips


**Permanent practices**

Diversion

Grade stabilization structures

Grass strips

Pasture and Hay land planting

Terraces

Windbreaks

Grassed waterways

Tree planting

Conservation cover



The state of Iowa allocates funds to local soil and water conservation districts, where commissioners set priorities for their use, and field office staff assure the technical quality of practices built. Iowa farmers interested in improving their land's soil and water health can apply to receive cost shares for temporary or permanent conservation practices.
By investing in soil conservation, you receive the best of both worlds: you improve the productivity of your farm and keep sediment out of the water. The work you do on your farm permanently benefits the quality of life in Iowa.

Temporary practices
No-till
Strip till
Contouring
Field Borders
Cover Crops
Ridge till
Critical Area Planting
Contour strip cropping
Filter strips

Permanent practices
Diversion
Grade stabilization structures
Grass strips
Pasture and Hay land planting
Terraces
Windbreaks
Grassed waterways
Tree planting
Conservation cover

- Financial incentive funds are available for use on privately owned land used for agricultural production. “Agricultural production” means the commercial production of food or fiber. 
- Tracts of land used for agricultural production which are less than ten acres in size and from which less than $2500 of agricultural products are sold annually may not qualify for funds.

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

- Program Information on the IDALS FARMS site

Landscape

High Tunnel

Air Quality

Certification

Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat

Soil Health

Reduced Tillage

Cover Crops

Certified Grassfed

Certified Organic

Conservation

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

Water Management

As an applicant in a financial incentive program, you agree to become a District Cooperator. As such, the District will provide to you technical assistance in planning, applying, and maintaining soil conservation and water management practices on a tract of land. In addition, authorization is granted to District representatives for ingress and egress upon the land.

This grant has significant application materials and pre-requisite registrations required before submitting the application. Before beginning your application:
- Read the Request For Applications thoroughly
- Look up your DUNS number or request one here.
- Register with SAM.gov

Application Procedures and Requirements Submission
Submit the the project documents separately with the exception of the support letters. Proposal applications must include the following documents in the following order: 
- Completed and signed IDALS Cover Sheet 
- 2022 Project Profile 
- Work Plan
- Letters or other evidence of commitment by partners, resource providers and documentation of matching funds if applicable 
- Three letters in support of project and its goals at least 1 from a grower/grower group 
- Printed registration page from SAM.GOV showing status on SAM.GOV
- Completed and signed W-9 Form 
- Completed and signed Minority Impact Statement 
- Completed Grantee Self-Assessment of Internal Controls and Risks 

Proposals must be received by IDALS on or before 4:00 p.m. CT on March 11, 2022. Proposals must be mailed, e-mailed, or delivered. Electronic submission is preferred. IDALS will not accept faxed proposals, with the exception that the cover sheet and W-9 forms which may be faxed because they require a signature. You must meet this deadline by delivering the application package or mailing it sufficiently in advance of the deadline to ensure its timely receipt. 
IDALS will send applicants an e-mail confirmation within two business days of receiving the proposal. IDALS may return late and/or incomplete proposals without consideration. 
Send to: 
Tammy Stotts 
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship 
Wallace State Office Building 
502 E. 9th Street 
Des Moines IA 50319 
Phone: (515) 281-7657 
E-mail: tammy.stotts@iowaagriculture.gov

Tammy Stotts

USDA Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) provides the funds to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state. IDALS will award grants up to a maximum of $24,000 from these funds.

The project(s) must enhance the competitiveness of Iowa grown specialty crops that benefit the industry as a whole and that do not directly benefit a particular product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Additional points are awarded to projects that are within the identified priority areas.

**Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.**



USDA Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) provides the funds to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state. IDALS will award grants up to a maximum of $24,000 from these funds.
The project(s) must enhance the competitiveness of Iowa grown specialty crops that benefit the industry as a whole and that do not directly benefit a particular product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Additional points are awarded to projects that are within the identified priority areas.
Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.

Eligible Entities 
IDALS will accept proposals for consideration for specialty crop block grant funds from Iowa agencies, universities, institutions, and producer, industry, and community based organizations. To be eligible for a grant, the project(s) must solely enhance the competitiveness of Iowa grown specialty crops that benefit the industry as a whole and that do not directly benefit a particular product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Grant funds will not be awarded for projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to single organization, institution, or individual. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners. Applicants must be a legal entity and have the legal capacity to contract.
Eligible Specialty Crops 
Specialty crops are defined in law as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.” USDA – Agricultural Marketing Service provides a more detailed definition and lists eligible plants commonly considered fruits and tree nuts, vegetables, culinary herbs and spices, medical plants and nursery, floriculture, and horticultural crops at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop Both fresh and processed specialty crops are eligible. Ineligible commodities are also listed. Livestock and poultry are not considered specialty crops. 
Eligible Grant Projects
To be eligible for a grant, the project(s) enhance the competitiveness of Iowa grown specialty crops that benefit the industry as a whole and that do not directly benefit a particular product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. Additional points are awarded to projects that are within the identified priority areas. 
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) encourages projects pertaining to the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry: 
- increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; 
- improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; 
- assisting all entities in the specialty crops distribution chain in developing Good Agricultural Practices, Good Handling Practices, and Good Manufacturing Practices, and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers, and processors; 
- investing in specialty crop research , including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes; 
- enhancing food safety; 
- developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops; 
- pest and disease control; and
- development of organic and sustainable production practices. 
Increasing competitiveness may include developing local and regional food systems, and improving food access in underserved communities. Applicants should describe how the project potentially impacts and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public rather than a single organization, institution, or individual. 

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Specialty Crops

 Almonds

Aloe Leaves

Blackberries

Filberts

Mamey Sapote

Mustard Greens

Parsnips

Passion Fruit

Pineapples

Plantains

Pummelos

Raspberries

Rutabagas

Watercress

Winter Cress

Yuca

Maple Syrup

Horticulture

Tree Nuts

Honey

Vegetables

Fruits

Maple Sap

Anise

Basil

Cassava

Chia

Cinnamon

Curry Leaves

Forbs

Fresh Parsley

Galanga

Ginger

Ginseng

Guayule

Herbs

Lotus Root

Marjoram

Meadowfoam

Mint

Moringa

Niger Seed

Oregano

Parsley

Pennycress

Peppermint

Pohole

Psyllium

Rosemary

Sage

Savory

Sorrel

Spearmint

Tangos

Thyme

Turmeric

Vanilla

Wasabi

Water Cress

Yu Cha

Hops

Almonds

Avocados

Carob

Cashew

Chestnuts

Hazelnuts

Jojoba

Noni

Olives

Pecans

Persimmons

Pine Nuts

Pistachios

Quinces

Walnuts

Macadamia Nuts

Coffee

Bees

Alfalfa Sprouts

Aloe Vera

Artichokes

Arugula

Asparagus

Bamboo Shoots

Batatas

Bean Sprouts

Beans

Beets

Bok Choy

Broccoflower

Broccoli

Broccolini

Broccolo-Cavalo

Brussel Sprouts

Cabbage

Calaloo

Carrots

Cauliflower

Celeriac

Celery

Chives

Collard Greens

Coriander

Cucumbers

Daikon

Dandelion Greens

Dill

Eggplant

Endive

Escarole

Frisee

Gailon

Garlic

Gourds

Greens

Heart Of Palm

Horseradish

Kale

Kohlrabi

Leeks

Cilantro

Boston Lettuce

Green Leaf Lettuce

Iceberg Lettuce

Lolla Rossa Lettuce

Oak Leaf Lettuce

Red Leaf Lettuce

Romaine Lettuce

Dry Onions

Green Onions

Bell Peppers

Zucchini

Turnip Top

Potato Seeds

Processing Potatoes

Russet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

English Peas

Green Peas

Snap Peas

Sugar Peas

Dry Peas

Ground Cherry

Wine

- Guidelines and Request For Proposals
- Performance Measure Information Sheet

Events

Distribution

Diversification

Trials

Stewardship

Trade Relief

Local Food

Marketing

Food Systems

Numerous restrictions and rules apply to the appropriateness of projects and the disposition of funds. Refer to the grant guidelines (below) for details.

List of Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship (IDALS) Funding Opportunities