Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District
Monroe County, Iowa
LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE
Federal Programs:
State Programs:
Downloadable Applications:
EQIP Application Form CSP Application Form State Cost-Share Application WQI Application Form
FEDERAL PROGRAMS:
EQIP- Environmental Quality Incentives Program: EQIP is a voluntary conservation program of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. This program is available to farmers, and offers financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. Applications for EQIP can be made at local NRCS offices.
The EQIP application is based on assistance and decisions reached with producers during the conservation planning process. EQIP applications are prioritized for funding using a state or locally developed ranking worksheet that generally considers cost-effectiveness, resources to be treated, meeting national EQIP priorities, compliance with federal, state or tribal environmental regulations or reducing the need for future regulations and, to a degree, the location of the contract. Funded EQIP applications result in a contract which lists the practices to be applied along with an application schedule and federal funds committed. Conservation practices applied with EQIP funds are to be maintained for the service life of the practice, which may be longer than the term of the EQIP contract. The minimum contract length is one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practice with a maximum length of ten years. The implemented practices are subject to NRCS technical standards. Farmers may elect to use NRCS or a Technical Service Provider for EQIP technical assistance.
Please give us a call or stop by our office for more program information and eligibility requirements.
For more information on EQIP, Please visit:http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/stateeqip.html
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation. Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop yields, or develop wildlife habitat, we can custom design a CSP plan to help you meet those goals. We can help you schedule timely planting of cover crops, develop a grazing plan that will improve your forage base, implement no-till to reduce erosion or manage forested areas in a way that benefits wildlife habitat. If you are already taking steps to improve the condition of the land, chances are CSP can help you find new ways to meet your goals.
For more information on CSP visit: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ia/programs/financial/csp/NRCS142P2_007971/
CRP - Conservation Reserve Program: CRP cost-shares on practices such as native prairie establishment and tree plantings on agricultural land. It also pays landowners an annual rental payment for up to 15 years. There are two ways to sign up for CRP: General and Continuous sign up.
General sign ups allow landowners to apply to put large tracts of highly erodible land that meet cropping history requirements into CRP. These applications are ranked and the top ranking applications are accepted into the program.
There is also a continuous sign-up for highly sensitive environmental areas such as riparian areas adjacent to waterways, wetlands, windbreaks, and living snow fences. Because continuous sign up CRP has standardized rental and cost share rates, landowners can see if their ground is eligible and estimate what their payments will be before even applying.
For more information on CRP visit: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/index
STATE PROGRAMS:
IFIP - Iowa Financial Incentive Program: IFIP is administered by the local Soil and Water Conservation District with policy and administrative assistance of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Division of Soil Conservation.
IFIP pays 50% financial incentive of the actual or estimated cost of practice installation, whichever is less.
For more information on IFIP, please visit: https://www.iowaagriculture.gov/fieldServices/financialAssistance.asp
WQI: Iowa Water Quality Initiative is the action plan for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) established in 2013. The WQI improves water quality through a collaborative, research-based approach that is evaluated and reported by a team of independent researchers from multiple institutions, led by Iowa State University. This comprehensive approach allows farmers and cities alike to adopt conservation practices that fit their unique needs, lands, and budgets.
For more information on IFIP, please visit:
https://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/pdfs/2016/WQI%20FY2016LegisReportFinal.pdf
REAP - Resource Enhancement and Protection Program: REAP is a program run by the state of Iowa. Depending on the individual programs REAP provides money for projects through state agency budgets or in the form of grants. Several aspects of REAP also encourage private contributions that help accomplish program objectives.
Based on their submitted proposal and allotment, REAP funds may be available for soil conservation practices through Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
For more information regarding REAP visit: http://www.iowareap.com
State Revolving Low Interest & No Interest Loan Fund is a new source of 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.
The 1983 State Legislature established the conservation practices revolving loan fund to provide loans to eligible landowners at no interest for the construction of permanent soil conservation practices. Authorized in Iowa Code Section 161A.71, eligible landowners may borrow up to $20,000 for a 10-year period. Repayment is made in 10 annual payments equal to 10% of the initial loan amount. In the event of land ownership transfer, payment is due immediately.
The Revolving Loan Fund is an alternative to the traditional cost share programs. It allows a landowner to put a conservation practice on the ground today, with payments extended out over a ten year period. For some landowners, it also provides tax advantages.
Fund allocations are made to soil and water conservation districts, commissioners set priorities for their use, and field office staff assure the technical quality of practices built. These practices are also subject to maintenance agreements. Unlike the cost share program, management practices are not authorized.
www.iowaagriculture.gov/FieldServices/waterQualityLoanFund.asp
1. Loan 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. Compliments other funding sources. If you have a grant or other funding, you can use a loan to provide your share of the project.