IAWA

LOADING...

Iowa Cost Share Comparison
Comparison Tool How to Stack FAQs About IAWA

FILTERS

Practices

Support

Funding Source

Contract Length

Eligibility

Geography

Rates Starting at

Price: $

Iowa Cost Share Comparison

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2025

Developed by the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance to navigate incentive programs for cover crops, no-till, and reduced till.

Compare Programs

Consider this program if:

Website and Agronomist Support

In-field Practices Covered and Eligibility

Rates and Time to Payment

Contract length, renewability and deadlines

Lead Organization

Funding Source

Farmers for Soil Health

Consider if you’re looking for an easy, straightforward program with little paperwork and flexibility to cancel.

Learn More

Soil and Water Outcomes Fund

Consider if you’re looking for an easy, straightforward program with no long-term contract and 50% of payment prior to verification. For beginning or scaling practices.

Learn More

RCPP/EQIP

You’re looking for some of the highest incentive rates and don’t mind submitting a competitive application with a waiting period.

Learn More

PFI Cover Crop Cost Share

Consider if you're looking for a straightforward program that provides incentives for new or continuing acres and stacks well with public funding.

Learn More

Water Quality Initiative (WQI)

Consider if you're looking for a publicly funded program with an easy, local sign-up that pays well and allows for flexibility and/or stacking with private incentives. Especially beneficial to those in priority watersheds.

Learn More

State crop insurance rebate

Consider if you don't need to offset the full cost of implementing cover crops, but would benefit from an easy, small payment for new or continuing acres.

Learn More

Maquoketa River Cover Crop Initiative

Consider if you are looking for a local, community-driven program plus you are an underserved farmer or live in an underserved community.

Learn More

Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative

Consider if you grow seed corn. Cover crops have an even greater benefit after seed corn harvest, due to harvest being earlier in the season.

Learn More

PFI Prairie Strips Program (Habitat Incentive)

Consider if you want a flexible practice that can reduce erosion and nutrient loss and attract pollinators. PFI offers a unique suite of incentives if you combine PFI's Prairie Strips program, USDA's CRP program, & PFI's Precision Conservation Analysis.

Learn More

PFI Precision Conservation Analysis (Habitat Incentive)

Consider if you want an analysis of your field's profitability, to take unprofitable acres out of production, and get paid for the row crop acres that remain. You can also get paid for acres transitioned to perennial cover, such as through PFI's Prairie Strips program.

Learn More

Iowa Financial Assistance Program (IFIP)

Consider if you want a one-time lump-sum payment for up to 4 years’ worth of cover crop seeding or listed conservation tillage practices (temporary management practices), a simple sign-up process, and don't mind waiting up to several months for payment.

Learn More

Dubuque County Cover Crop Program

Consider if you live in Dubuque County, would like drone application and someone else to take care of the hassle of cover crop planting. Especially beneficial program for multi-species.

Learn More