Practical Farmers of Iowa Cover Crop Cost-Share

Practical Farmers of Iowa's cover crop cost-share pays farmers up to $15 per acre for seeding fall cover crops, with no acre cap. The funding comes from food and agriculture companies investing in their supply sheds, so it works like supply-chain insetting delivered through a farmer-led nonprofit rather than a carbon-market contract: no credits, no registry, and light paperwork.

Enrollment is first-come — it closes once allotted acres are filled — and the program is one of the simplest entry points to paid regenerative practice adoption. PFI also maintains guidance on how this cost-share interacts with NRCS programs (EQIP, CSP, RCPP), state cost-share, and private carbon programs, making it a common first layer in a stacked conservation strategy.

• Seed a fall cover crop on eligible acres; receive up to $15 per acre with no acre cap.

• Enrollment closes once allotted acres are filled.

• PFI's program materials address stacking with NRCS programs (EQIP, CSP, RCPP), state cost-share (e.g. Iowa WQI/IDALS), carbon programs (e.g. Indigo, TruCarbon), ADM re:generations, Farmers for Soil Health, and Soil and Water Outcomes Fund — review their compatibility guidance for the current year's rules.

Up to $15 per acre per year for fall-seeded cover crops, no acre cap, funded by corporate supply-chain partners through PFI. The rate a given farm receives can depend on what other cost-share the same acres already receive — PFI publishes stacking guidance covering federal, state, and private programs.

Apply through the program page at practicalfarmers.org — enrollment stays open until allotted acres fill. PFI staff support enrollment and practice questions.