Practical Farmers of Iowa Row Crops to Prairies and Trees

This incentive payment program helps Iowa farmers establish native prairie or trees on row-crop (corn/soybean) ground, including underperforming acres. Two rates over a five-year agreement: Rate 1 (PFI program only) pays $2,000/acre total ($1,200 in Year 1, $200/year in Years 2-5); Rate 2 (stacked with a publicly funded cost-share program) pays $1,000/acre total, split evenly at $200/acre/year.

• Must farm in Iowa.

• Must establish native prairie or trees on a field where corn or soybeans are grown.

• Acres must be conventionally managed (organic-transition acres are okay; certified organic acres are not eligible).

• Acres can overlap with publicly funded cost-share programs (CRP, EQIP, etc.) but not with privately funded cost-share/carbon-market programs (Indigo, SWOF, TruCarbon, ADM re:generations, etc.).

• Establishment must be completed by Dec. 31 for 2026 enrollment; established prairie or trees must be maintained for at least five years.

• Native prairie seed mix must have a minimum of 20 species (at least 10 forb species) and seeding rates of at least 40 seeds per square foot (CRP-equivalent CP25, CP42, CP43 mixes qualify).

Enroll by Sept. 30, 2026 at https://practicalfarmers.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV\_cvClPV8UHS2eafs. After enrolling, book a consultation with PFI habitat staff, sign the agreement/release of information within 30 days (cancelable through Dec. 1, 2026), establish prairie/trees by Dec. 31, 2026, and complete a production questionnaire with yield data and establishment documentation by Jan. 17, 2027. Year 1 payment processes by March 31, 2027; Years 2-5 payments process by March 31 in following years after proof of maintenance.