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&#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

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.

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

- Pre-application
Pre-applications must be submitted following the format and page limits provided. Maps and letters of support will not count against stated page limits. Letters of support are not required as part of the pre-application but an indication of primary partners and their roles/contribution to the project should be provided. Letters of support documenting partner’s roles/contributions will be required if a full application is requested. Potential applicants must schedule a meeting with an IDALS Urban Conservationist to help formulate strong projects and pre-applications. Urban Conservationists are available to assist from concept phase to application submittal. They can review draft applications and budgets and can assist on practice design guidance to ensure they meet standards. If you are farther along in the design process, please provide detail information in the application. Pre-applications will be reviewed by IDALS, and applicants requested to submit full applications will be no

Full-applications will be requested by a select number of pre-applications based on internal review by IDALS. Applicants requested to provide full applications to IDALS will be notified by December 15, 2023, and additional guidance on developing a full proposal will accompany notification. Full applications are due by February 9, 2024. The projected timeline for the complete application process is detailed below: 
- Pre-applications open: September 5, 2023 
- Pre-applications due: November 17, 2023 
- Selected pre-applications notified: December 15, 2023 
- Full-applications due: February 9, 2024 
- Selected full-applications notified: February 23, 2024 
- Anticipated project start date: March 15, 2024 

Paul Miller

Kaitlyn Wagner

Ann Seda

Amy Bouska

Jennifer Welch

IDALS is accepting pre-applications for projects that demonstrate strong ties to the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. These projects&#x2004;will focus on adoption and implementation of urban conservation practices that provide nutrient load reductions to water resources in combination with outreach and education components demonstrating how projects will work to support the nonpoint source action items outlined in Section 1 of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy can be viewed [here](http://www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu).


 Applicants should demonstrate the ability to deliver stormwater management strategies and practices. 


Strong partnerships must be demonstrated with any stakeholders that will be contributing significant resources to the project. These projects can range from site scale to watershed scale stormwater management practices (a single bioretention cell vs a stormwater wetland). Projects may utilize one or multiple stormwater management practices in order to manage the water quality improvement goals. The practices must treat for water quality volume, but they may comprehensively manage multiple storm events including the entire unified sizing criteria storms, when possible or practical. This approach can provide large scale water quality and quantity benefits to the applicant. There continues to be an emphasis on implementing urban conservation practices in communities where these practices have not been utilized in order to demonstrate their effectiveness to manage stormwater. Outreach and educational activities are also encouraged to inform the public, designers, developers, and city staff about how these practices function in order to increase adoption across the state. 



IDALS is accepting pre-applications for projects that demonstrate strong ties to the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. These projects will focus on adoption and implementation of urban conservation practices that provide nutrient load reductions to water resources in combination with outreach and education components demonstrating how projects will work to support the nonpoint source action items outlined in Section 1 of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy can be viewed here.

 Applicants should demonstrate the ability to deliver stormwater management strategies and practices. 

Strong partnerships must be demonstrated with any stakeholders that will be contributing significant resources to the project. These projects can range from site scale to watershed scale stormwater management practices (a single bioretention cell vs a stormwater wetland). Projects may utilize one or multiple stormwater management practices in order to manage the water quality improvement goals. The practices must treat for water quality volume, but they may comprehensively manage multiple storm events including the entire unified sizing criteria storms, when possible or practical. This approach can provide large scale water quality and quantity benefits to the applicant. There continues to be an emphasis on implementing urban conservation practices in communities where these practices have not been utilized in order to demonstrate their effectiveness to manage stormwater. Outreach and educational activities are also encouraged to inform the public, designers, developers, and city staff about how these practices function in order to increase adoption across the state. 

Cities, counties, county conservation boards, Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCDs), or other units of government, not-for-profit non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) authorized by the secretary of state, public water supply utilities or watershed management authorities are eligible to submit applications. Applicants must be able to demonstrate legal authority to construct and maintain practices in the intended location prior to submittal of applications. Due to the nature of this program and the emphasis on implementation of urban conservation practices and documentation supportive of the nutrient reduction strategy, applicants must collaborate with IDALS Urban Conservation Program staff. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to partner with stakeholders that will benefit from installation of urban conservation practices and would be able to assist with education and information transfer. 

Eligible expenses include:
- Project costs (State funds not to exceed 50% cost) for the design and installation of urban conservation practices that are included in the Iowa Stormwater Management Manual (ISWMM) and designed according to the design guidelines of the ISWMM.
- Other practices (State funds not to exceed 50% cost) included in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and designed and implemented according to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) standards and specifications.
- Outreach/education components such as field days, publications, signs, and informational meetings (within program guidelines and limitations)

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

Grant

Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
Call for Pre-Application

Irrigation

Water Quality

Waterway Protection

Wetland Conservation

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

Farmers Market

Food Systems

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


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.

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

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&#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

- Guidelines and Request For Proposals
- Performance Measure Information Sheet

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