Practical Farmers of Iowa Cost-Share for Extended Rotations

Practical Farmers of Iowa supports farmers using extended crop rotations by providing cost-share for two extended-rotation practices: (1) reducing applied nitrogen on 2027 corn that follows a small grain plus cover crop or a leguminous hay crop, by 40 lbs N/acre or to no more than 100 lbs N/acre applied; and (2) raising a small grain (oats, cereal rye, barley, wheat or triticale) harvested for grain or forage in 2027, followed by a frost- or summer-seeded cover crop containing at least one legume. Participants receive $20 per acre by completing one or both scenarios, with no acre cap (program closes once allotted acres fill).

• Participants must farm in Iowa or in eligible counties in Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska or South Dakota.

• No PFI membership purchase required.

• Conventional and organic-transition acres are eligible; organic-certified acres are ineligible.

• No acre cap; enroll ASAP as the program closes once allotted acres are filled.

• Acres can overlap with publicly funded cost-share programs (EQIP, CSP, etc.).

• Acres cannot overlap with PFI's fall cover crop cost-share or N Rate Risk Protection Program in 2027, or with privately funded cost-share/carbon-market programs (Indigo, SWOF, TruCarb, ADM re:generations, etc.).

Participants receive $20 per acre for completing one or both program scenarios (nitrogen reduction on corn, or small-grain-plus-legume-cover-crop rotation). The contract is nonbinding and can be canceled through Sept. 30, 2027 with no penalty. Documentation required: seed tags/bills for small grain and legume cover, and (for the nitrogen option) an agronomist consultation.

Apply online at https://forms.practicalfarmers.org/t/xBuDFev3BQus. Enrollment period is Aug. 24, 2026 through April 30, 2027 or until allotted acres are filled. After enrolling, sign a cost-share agreement within 30 days; those in the nitrogen-reduction option must also schedule a conversation with a PFI agronomist by May 28, 2027. Payments are processed after wrap-up survey and documentation are submitted by Sept. 30, 2027, with all payments completed by Dec. 31, 2027.