Conservation Incentive Contracts are an option available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) that offers producers financial assistance to adopt conservation management practices on Iowa's cropland and pastureland.
Producers may use incentive contracts as a "steppingstone" from correcting resource issues on specific land units through EQIP to achieving sustainable stewardship on their entire operation.
Conservation Incentive Contracts are available nationwide and help producers address at least one of three priority resource concerns in Iowa: soil quality limitations; field sediment, nutrient and pathogen loss; or livestock production limitations.
Incentive contracts offer new conservation evaluation and monitoring activities (CEMA) to help report outcomes of practices. They also offer producers annual incentive payments to implement management practices as well as conservation evaluation and monitoring activities to help manage, maintain, and improve priority natural resource concerns and build on existing conservation efforts.
Key Incentive Contract Features
- Require producers to address at least one priority resource concern during the contract period.
- Have an initial length of five years.
- Have a payment limitation of $200,000 for the life of the 2018 Farm Bill which expires in 2023.
Conservation Incentive Contracts have two payment types:
- Annual Payments: Management practices that will serve as annual payments paid as soon as practicable after Oct. 1 of each fiscal year. Eligible management practices in Iowa include:
- Conservation Crop Rotation
- No-Till
- Cover Crops
- Forage Harvest Management
- Prescribed Grazing
- Drainage Water Management
- Nutrient Management
- Annual Forages for Grazing Systems
- Soil Health Testing
- Soil and Source Testing for Nutrient Management
- Carbon Sequestration and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Assessment
- Implementation Payments: Supporting practices contracted will be paid after certification of the practice.
Fiscal Year 2024 Signup
NRCS accepts applications for EQIP year-round, however Iowa producers and landowners should apply by April 5, 2024, to be considered for the next round of fiscal year 2024 funding. To apply, contact your local USDA Service Center.
NRCS provides conservation planning at no cost to Iowa’s agricultural and forestry producers at our 100 USDA Service Centers. Our Service Centers are open for business, including those that restrict in-person visits or require appointments. Visit farmers.gov/service-locator to find the contact information for your local FSA or NRCS office. Check the status of your local USDA Service Center, then make an appointment to determine next steps for your conservation goals.