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There are countless cost share programs out there – and that’s great. But that also makes it hard to sort through all the programs and find something that 1.) Works on your farm, 2.) Covers practice costs, and 3.) Improves water quality – all with neutral or positive impacts on your soil, farm, and pocketbook.
The cost share comparison tool is a quick and easy way for farmers and landowners to cut through the noise and narrow down incentives to find the best fit for their unique operation.
What you'll find on this website are a handful of the programs that IAWA is familiar with. If you are familiar with a program that we don't have listed here, please let us know! We are continuously expanding the guide. There are millions of dollars available through dozens of programs nationwide!
Use this tool to save time when comparing programs. It will help you zero in on one or two programs that may be right for you. But don’t use this guide as a final answer to your needs. You will want to contact the program to get more details and confirm eligibility. There are also many more programs not listed here. We highly recommend working with a conservation agronomist, watershed coordinator, or SWCD professional if you have questions.
The guide will be updated at least once per year. The date of the last update will be visible on the guide.
Can I get notified when the guide is updated?
Yes, please fill out this form to sign up for our mailing list.
We don't make the rules, but we do get this question a lot. Most (but not all) programs are created to motivate change that would not otherwise happen without program incentives. Carbon markets and USDA-funded programs are two examples of this.
With carbon markets, private companies pay farmers to reduce environmental footprint; Paying repeat users of cover crops is not a reduction. Carbon payments are in the form of offsets or insets. An example of an offset would be a hotel company that has inevitable energy use for laundry. They pay farmers to offset the hotel's energy use because they can't reduce their own. An example of an inset carbon credit would be a soda company that can reduce environmental impact through the farmers in their own supply chain who provide their corn syrup.
USDA-funded programs are also incentivizing change for environmental benefit. In order to improve water quality, more farmers need to plant cover crops in more acres. So to make limited cost share funding go further, USDA pays for those new acres that otherwise wouldn't be protected by cover crops. The ultimate goal is outcomes like cleaner water and air and erosion prevention.
The guide is digital because it changes often. But we do have a printable version that features 7 of the many programs out there. You can download the 11x17 file by clicking here. When printing, use the following recommendations:
IAWA also has a limited supply of copies. If you need some, email Rebekah Jones at rjones@iaagwater.org.
For each program included, the IAWA team:
(1) Had a 60 minute interview with a farmer facing staff member to learn how the program works. We do this to ensure we fully understand the program beyond what is written online.
(2) Boiled down the information into the categories listed on this page. We keep it at summary level so you can see only the most important highlights quickly.
(3) Confirmed the final information with program leadership or communications teams.
While we take great care to provide the most accurate information, it is impossible for IAWA to capture every important program detail, so we encourage you to reach out to the programs you are most interested in.
No, this tool is not funded by any of the programs listed. We do this to make sure that all information is displayed as consistently as possible and without bias.
IAWA is a nonprofit whose mission is to improve the pace and scale of farmer-led conservation. Empowering farmers to use incentives to mitigate the cost and risks of conservation practices is a step toward our mission and getting more water quality practices on the ground.
IAWA is often a bridge between folks in public and private, urban and rural, in-the-field and behind-the-desk roles. This puts us in a unique position to ask program questions and provide information that is accurate and as thorough as possible.
IAWA is a partner in Farmers for Soil Health and several RCPP projects.
IAWA does not administer programs, provide technical assistance, or recruit farmers. Our main roles are securing project funding and providing communications and outreach to farmers, landowners, and partners.
Programs are eligible to be in the guide if:
In addition, to help IAWA include new information, program leaders must:
If IAWA receives an influx of program inclusion requests, we will work through new additions on a first come, first served basis.
New programs will be added during two time periods: April-May and Nov-Jan.
Please fill out our inquiry form, and we will contact you with the next steps.
During April-May and Nov-Jan, IAWA will be working on updates. We will reach out to your designated contact then.
If you are a business, non-profit, or other entity who wants to get involved through partnerships or donations, please fill out our contact form to learn more. Visit iaagwater.org to read about us.
We would love to hear how this guide helped you or how it could be improved. Please fill out our contact form with your feedback.