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

Apply online at this online portal. Account creation is required.

Crop insurance in an integral part of the farm safety net that provides protection for farmers after bad weather impacts their crops. Cover crops can help prevent erosion and improve water quality and soil health, among other benefits.

The&#x2004;Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and partners worked with the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) to establish a project aimed at expanding usage of cover crops in Iowa. 

Through this project IDALS will provide up to $5/acre for cover crops to eligible applicants. Funding will be provided through USDA-RMA as an additional insurance premium discount through normal crop insurance processes. The premium reduction will be available for fall-planted cover crops with a spring-planted cash crop. Some policies may be excluded, such as Whole-Farm Revenue Protection or those covered through written agreements. Participating farmers must follow all existing good farming practices required by their policy and work with their insurance agent to maintain eligibility.

Farmers are encouraged to wait to apply until their cover crop seeding has been completed. Please note that cover crop acres currently enrolled in state and/or federal programs are not eligible for this program. 



Crop insurance in an integral part of the farm safety net that provides protection for farmers after bad weather impacts their crops. Cover crops can help prevent erosion and improve water quality and soil health, among other benefits.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and partners worked with the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) to establish a project aimed at expanding usage of cover crops in Iowa. 
Through this project IDALS will provide up to $5/acre for cover crops to eligible applicants. Funding will be provided through USDA-RMA as an additional insurance premium discount through normal crop insurance processes. The premium reduction will be available for fall-planted cover crops with a spring-planted cash crop. Some policies may be excluded, such as Whole-Farm Revenue Protection or those covered through written agreements. Participating farmers must follow all existing good farming practices required by their policy and work with their insurance agent to maintain eligibility.
Farmers are encouraged to wait to apply until their cover crop seeding has been completed. Please note that cover crop acres currently enrolled in state and/or federal programs are not eligible for this program. 

Applicants must be located in Iowa, and plant an eligible cover crop on federally insured acreage.

Cover Crop

Row Crops

Alfalfa

Amaranth Grain

Barley

Buckwheat

Canola

Corn

Einkorn

Emmer

Grains

Guar

Indigo

Kenaf

Khorasan

Millet

Mustard

Oats

Oilseeds

Peanuts

Quinoa

Rapeseed

Rice

Safflower

Sorghum

Soybeans

Speltz

Sugar

Sugar Beets

Sunflowers

Teff

Triticale

Wheat

Malting Barley

Sweet Corn

Grain Corn

Crambe

Sesame

Sunflower Seeds

Industrial Rice

Japonica Rice

Long Grain Rice

Medium Grain Rice

Sweet Rice

Wild Rice

Raw Sugars

Refined Sugars

Sugarcane

Durum Wheat

Hard Red Spring Wheat

Regenerative

Conservation

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&#x2004;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

Air Quality

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Reduced Tillage

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

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.

Application
Begin by talking to your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).

The State Revolving Loan Fund is a new source of low-cost financing available to landowners. This opportunity is available specifically to assist and encourage landowners to address non-point source pollution of Iowa streams and lakes.



Virtually all practices eligible for State Cost Share, REAP and EQIP are eligible for loans. These practices may include but are not limited to:
- Terraces, grade stabilization structures, water & sediment control basins
- Pasture & hay land planting or prescribed grazing
- Grassed waterways and filter strips
- Field borders, windbreaks and buffers
- Waste storage facilities
- Deep bedded buildings or other roofed manure control structures
Loans to implement practices for animal feeding operations can only be made to operations that are under 1,000 animal units and are not required to have an NPDES permit

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

The State Revolving Loan Fund:
1. Is ready when you are. Applications are accepted at any time during the year, and turn around time is quick.
2. Requires no cash up front. Quick loan processing and friendly loan repayment terms let you get your project done now.
3. Gives you significant cost savings. Interest rates are well below other financing sources.
4. Complements other funding sources. If you have a grant or other funding, you can use a loan to provide your share of the project.


- Loans from $5,000 up to a maximum of $500,000 per borrower
- Terms up to 15 years
- Can fund up to 100% of actual costs
- Interest rate no more than 3% - fixed for the life of the loan
- Funding available when you need it, applications accepted year round
- Use the lender of your choice or go to www.iowalinkeddeposit.com to view the list of current participating lenders


Application
The application process is coordinated through the Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality (DSCWQ) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD).  All projects should must meet project milestones listed on the application and receive notification of approval before proceeding to financing.

The program provides low-interest loans to private entities for implementing environmentally responsible strategies for stormwater management. These include:

- Infiltration practices, soil quality restoration, native landscaping

- Bioretention cells, bioswales and rain gardens

- Pond / wetland system

- Grassed waterways

- Permeable paving systems

- Green roofs



The program provides low-interest loans to private entities for implementing environmentally responsible strategies for stormwater management. These include:
- Infiltration practices, soil quality restoration, native landscaping
- Bioretention cells, bioswales and rain gardens
- Pond / wetland system
- Grassed waterways
- Permeable paving systems
- Green roofs

Loans can be made to homeowners, developers or businesses.  The applicant must designate and have a commitment from the entity responsible for the long-term maintenance of the stormwater quality practices.   Pollution prevention measures required in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are NOT eligible. 

- Loan amounts start from $5,000
- Terms up to 20 years
- Can fund up to 100% of eligible project costs
- Interest rates capped at 3% for life of the loan 
- Applications accepted anytime
- Available through the lender of your choice

Apply through the online application portal at chooseiowa.com: create an account, log in, select My Account, click the Grants tab, then select the grant program and year. Supporting documents (quotes/estimates, letters of support) may be submitted; IDALS may require additional information or a site visit.

Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants increase sales of Iowa agricultural products by increasing production capacity or expanding market access for value-added projects. The highly competitive cost-share grant expands access to Iowa-grown, Iowa-made, and Iowa-raised food, beverages, and other agricultural products.



Be an individual, business, agricultural cooperative, non-profit organization or local government; in good standing with the State of Iowa; not in bankruptcy; with no environmental, worker-safety, or food-safety enforcement action in the last 5 years; currently residing or conducting business in Iowa; not an IDALS employee or immediate family; and able to provide a 1:1 match. Choose Iowa membership is not required but encouraged. Preference is given to small (<50 FTE) and medium (51-250 FTE) businesses.

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

Grant

- Choose Iowa Value-Added Grant Guidelines

Local Food

Farmers Market

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Trade Relief

Food Systems

Cost-share reimbursement grant. Requires a minimum one-to-one (1:1) financial match from private sources (cash, financing, or other grant funds; in-kind not accepted). Funds are paid as reimbursement after the project is completed; projects cannot already be in progress before award and must be completed in 12 months or less. Maximum award up to $25,000 per awardee.

Complete the appropriate application below, and then mail a notarized copy to
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship 
Attn: Heritage/Century Farms Program
Wallace State Office Building
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

- Application
- Application Directions

Kelley Reece

**The Century Farms Program** recognizes and honors those individuals who have owned the farm land for 100 years or more. The program began in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial Celebration, when over 5,000 certificates and farm markers were distributed across Iowa at local ceremonies.

**The Heritage Farm Program** recognizes farm families that have owned at least 40 acres for 150 years or more.



The Century Farms Program recognizes and honors those individuals who have owned the farm land for 100 years or more. The program began in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial Celebration, when over 5,000 certificates and farm markers were distributed across Iowa at local ceremonies.
The Heritage Farm Program recognizes farm families that have owned at least 40 acres for 150 years or more.

Century Farm Program Eligibility
- Consecutive ownership within the same family for 100 years or more of at least 40 acres of the original holding of Iowa farmland.
- Present owner must be related to a person who owned the land 100 years ago.
Heritage Farm Program Eligibility
- Must have at least 40 acres of the original holding of Iowa Farmland
- Consecutive ownership within the same family for 150 years or more by the end of year applying
- Present owner must be related to a person who owned the land 150 years ago

A reduction or waiving of fees for meeting a certain criteria.

Discount

- Searchable Database of All Century and Heritage Farms
- Application Directions

Certificates and markers will be presented at a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair in August.


Project Profile Template (application)
- How to open the SCBGP Project Profile Template
W9 Form
Cover Sheet
Minority Impact Statement
Grantee Self-Assessment of Internal Controls and Risks

Guidelines and Prformance Metric Sheets
- Guidelines and Request For Proposals
- Performance Measure Information Sheet
- SCBG Performance Measure Guidance

Send Completed Application to:
Amy Gamble
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Hoover State Office Building
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Moines IA 50319
Phone: (515) 281-7657
E-mail: amy.gamble@iowaagriculture.gov

Tammy Stotts

USDA Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) provides the funds to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) to enhance&#x2004;the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state. IDALS will award grants up to a maximum of $30,000 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 $30,000 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. 

Specialty Crops

Aloe Leaves

Blackberries

Fruits

Honey

Horticulture

Mamey Sapote

Maple Syrup

Mustard Greens

Parsnips

Passion Fruit

Pineapples

Plantains

Pummelos

Raspberries

Rutabagas

Tree Nuts

Vegetables

Abiu

Achachairu

Antidesma

Apples

Apricots

Bananas

Barbados Cherry

Blueberries

Breadfruit

Cacao

Caimito

Calabaza Melon

Canary Melon

Canary Seed

Caneberries

Canistel

Cantaloupes

Casaba Melon

Cherries

Chinese Bitter Melon

Chokeberry

Citron

Citron Melon

Coconuts

Cranberries

Crenshaw Melon

Custard Apple

Dates

Dragon Fruit

Durian

Elderberries

Figs

Genip

Goji

Gooseberries

Grapefruit

Grapes

Guava

Guavaberry

Honeyberries

Honeydew

Huckleberries

Israel Melons

Jack Fruit

Jujube

Juneberries

Kiwiberry

Kiwifruit

Korean Golden Melon

Kumquats

Langsat

Lemons

Limequats

Limes

Longan

Loquats

Lychee

Mangos

Mangosteen

Mayhaw Berries

Mesple

Mulberries

- Iowa Farmers Market Manager Toolkit
- Beginning Farmer and Rancher Resources
- Creating Innovative Partnerships between Farmers Markets and Food Hubs

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