Farmer and Landowner NRCS Program Technical Assistance - We’re here to get you started! 

Iowa Valley RC&D provides direct support to small-scale, diversified crop producers and/or landowners, connecting them to conservation programs on Iowa farms. Our staff works with producers across the state of Iowa to implement the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 

 The  Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Initiatives Program (EQIP) help producers, ranchers, and landowners protect and conserve natural resources. These programs help increase environmental benefits on Iowa's working lands through supporting healthy soils, cleaner air and water, and building wildlife habitats.

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INITIATIVE PROGRAM (EQIP):

Environmental Quality Initiative Program(EQIP) Provides financial and technical assistance for conservation practices that improve soil, water, air, and habitat quality. Among the many practices, some include:

  • High Tunnel + Low Tunnel 

  • Cover Cropping 

  • Rotational Grazing 

  • Irrigation Efficiency 

  • Pollinator Habitats 

  • Organic Transitions 

CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (CSP):

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Supports producers and landowners in maintaining and enhancing conservation efforts with long-term incentives. Just a few examples include:

  • Nutrient Management 

  • Diversified Crop Rotations 

  • Agroforestry

  • Riparian Buffers 

  • Wildlife Habitat Management

  • No-Till & Reduced Tillage

Interested in learning more about ways to implement these practices on your farm? We're here to support the process, from learning about conservation options and submitting an application, through to implementing practices. Our goals are to help build relationships between USDA staff and producers that lead to increased interest and commitment to land stewardship across Iowa.

Contact Iowa Valley RC&D’s Farmer Technical Assistance Manager, Lisa Stark at lisa@ivrcd.org or (319)-214-0253 or by filling out the intake form here.

FARMER COACHING PROGRAM: FARMER TO FARMER SUPPORT

Are you a Farmer who has successfully submitted an NRCS application and would like to support new producers going through the process for the first time? The Farmer Coaching program allows producers to provide 1:1 guidance to new producers through their application process.

Farmer coaches will receive a $2,500 stipend for supporting mentee producers through 10 hrs of consultation to share their experience and advice on working with NRCS. Coaches will be paired with producers mentees and support them through communication channels such as email, phone, text, farm visits, and a NRCS office visit.

If you are interested in applying to be a Farmer Coach for the 2025 season, please contact Iowa Valley RC&D’s Farmer Technical Assistance Manager, Lisa Stark at lisa@ivrcd.org or (319) 214-025.

NRCS OFFICE SUPPORT

If you’re an NRCS service site in Iowa, Iowa Valley RC&D can connect specialty crop producers to your office and support technical assistance for the conservation planning process. Our staff can provide support and communication for EQIP and CSP applications and practices geared toward small-scale diversified producers and landowners. 

Partners: Midwest Agriculture Partner Network (MAC)

This project is funded by an agreement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.