# Iowa

******

## Breadcrumb

-  Home 
-  Conservation Basics 
-  Conservation by State 
-  Iowa 

We help Iowa's farmers, ranchers and forest landowners conserve the nation’s soil, water, air and other natural resources. All programs are voluntary and offer science-based solutions that benefit both the landowner and the environment.

**Looking for documents? Visit our Field Office Technical Guide.**

## On This Page

            - Contact Information
            - State Programs and Initiatives
            - Related Resources
            - How to Get Assistance
            - Related News and Events

##   Happening in Iowa

        News    

###                     News                

Stay up to date on Iowa's **latest news**! This provides you with direct access to Iowa's recent press releases and downloadable media files.

        Events    

###                     Events                

Get connected through our **local events** including field days, webinars and training opportunities related to Iowa's programs and services.

        Success Stories    

###                     Success Stories                

Our producers are the key to Iowa's conservation success and we want to share **their stories** with you. 

        Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG)    

###                     Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG)                

Technical guides are the primary scientific references for NRCS. They contain technical information about the conservation of soil, water, air, and related plant and animal resources.

Technical guides used in each field office are localized so that they apply specifically to the geographic area for which they are prepared. These documents are referred to as Field Office Technical Guides (FOTGs). Access Iowa's FOTG.

## Iowa State Office

                -    515-284-4769 
                -    210 Walnut Street, Room 693Des Moines, IA50309 

State Office Page

## Find Your Local Service Center

    USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.  

##   Quick Links

        Iowa Land Uses    

###                     Iowa Land Uses                

Our state conservation programs and initiatives can help you address natural resource concerns throughout your operation no matter its size or designated land use.

        Iowa Technical Resources    

###                     Iowa Technical Resources                

We provide the state's farmers, ranchers and forestland owners with the knowledge and tools they need to conserve, maintain and restore the natural resources on their lands and improve the health of their operations for the future. 

        Iowa Soil Health    

###                     Iowa Soil Health                

Iowa is a leading state in incorporating **soil health** improving conservation practices such as no-till farming, cover crops, conservation crop rotations, and conservation cover.

        Iowa Urban Agriculture    

###                     Iowa Urban Agriculture                

NRCS can help provide valuable resources to small-scale and**urban farmers in Iowa**. Whether it be compost, irrigation or weed and pest management we have something to help you get started.

        Earth Team Volunteer Program    

###                     Earth Team Volunteer Program                

Iowa Earth Team Volunteer Program

----

## State Programs and Initiatives

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Iowa

Organic Transition Initiative - IowaApply:March 1, 2024

Environmental Quality Incentives Program - Iowa

Conservation Stewardship Program - Iowa

Regional Conservation Partnership Program - Iowa

Conservation Innovation Grants - Iowa

Emergency Watershed Protection Program - Iowa

High Tunnel Initiative - Iowa

Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative - Iowa

National Water Quality Initiative - Iowa

On-Farm Energy Initiative - Iowa

Organic Initiative - Iowa

Source Water Protection - Iowa

Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations Program - Iowa

----

## State Payment Schedule

NRCS provides financial assistance for selected conservation practices. The availability and amount of financial assistance can vary between states.

Learn More

## Civil Rights Committee

The National Civil Rights Advisory Committee to the Chief (NCRACC) is designed to provide management officials and employees with counsel and advice to enhance and ensure compliance with their equal employment opportunity and program delivery responsibilities.

Learn More

## State Technical Committee

State Technical Committees serve in an advisory capacity to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the implementation of the natural resources conservation provisions of Farm Bill legislation.

Learn More

## Related Resources

### Data and Reports

### Education and Teaching Materials

### Guides and Instructions

View All Resources

### Data and Reports

                      - Iowa NRCS Economics 
                      - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 
                      - Soils 

View All Data and Reports

### Education and Teaching Materials

Ready to make a difference? NRCS succeeds by working closely with people and groups that care about the quality of America’s natural resources. 
                      - Pest Management 
                      - Soil Health ABCs 
                      - WhoBuddies Adventures 

View All Education and Teaching Materials

### Guides and Instructions

We have many resources and references to provide science-based technology to aid conservation planning and benefit soil, water, air, plants, and animals for productive lands and healthy ecosystems here in Iowa.
                      - Conservation Planning - Iowa 
                      - Cultural Resources 
                      - Iowa NRCS eDirectives 
                      - Iowa NRCS Engineering 
                      - Prairie, Pollinators and Wildlife Habitat 

View All Guides and Instructions

##   How to Get Assistance

**Do you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease?**

Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

**Print this information

###         Step 1: Make a Plan    

**To get started with NRCS, we recommend you stop by your local NRCS field office. We’ll discuss your vision for your land.**

NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land. Common technical assistance includes: resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you.

###         Step 2: Start an Application    

**We’ll walk you through the application process. To get started on applying for financial assistance, we’ll work with you:**
                        - To fill out an AD 1026, which ensures a conservation plan is in place before lands with highly erodible soils are farmed. It also ensures that identified wetland areas are protected.
                        - To meet other eligibility certifications.

Once complete, we’ll work with you on the application, or CPA 1200.

Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods. Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time.

###         Step 3: Check your eligibility    

**As part of the application process, we’ll check to see if you are eligible. To do this, you’ll need to bring:**
                        - An official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID)
                        - A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property; and
                        - A farm number.

If you don’t have a farm number, you can get one from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Typically, the local FSA office is located in the same building as the local NRCS office. You only need a farm number if you’re interested in financial assistance.

###         Step 4: Rank your application    

**NRCS will take a look at the applications and rank them** according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide and the needs of applicants. View Application Ranking Dates by State.

###         Step 5: Implement your plan    

**If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done.**

Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and specifications for completing the practice or practices, and then you will have a specified amount of time to implement. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work if it meets NRCS standards and specifications.

----

## Related News and Events

NewsUSDA Makes $1.5 Billion Available to Help Farmers Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture as Part of President Biden’s Investing in America AgendaApril 03, 2024

NewsUSDA Seeks Partnerships to Expand Conservation on Grazing Lands  March 27, 2024

NewsAgricultural Producers to Conserve Land through Climate-Smart Easements as part of President Biden’s Investing in America AgendaMarch 13, 2024

WebinarIowa Learning Farms Webinar: Pay for Performance Accelerates Cleanup and Nonpoint Source Pollution Reduction April 17, 2024

          -  View More News 
          -  View More Events