Habitat Incentives Program Helps Farmers Add Conservation Practices
PFI program open for farmers and landowners seeking financial and technical assistance for conservation practices
Contact: Elizabeth Wilhelm | Senior Media Relations Coordinator | (515) 232-5661 | elizabeth.wilhelm@practicalfarmers.org
AMES, Iowa (April 1, 2025) — Farmers and landowners in Iowa and Minnesota interested in adding edge-of-field conservation practices are encouraged to contact Practical Farmers of Iowa to receive technical and financial support through their habitat incentives program. This program helps farmers and landowners create habitat for wildlife, improve water quality and build soil health.
“Many farmers I talk to are eager to add conservation practices to their farms,” says Grace Yi, PFI’s habitat viability manager. “The habitat incentives program makes this easier because it helps lower costs and gives farmers expert guidance to help them throughout the process.”
Those interested can get support for the following practices:
- Prairie Strips (Buffer Strips), which reduce sediment loss by 95% and reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous lost through runoff. Iowa farmers can receive technical support and a one-time incentive payment to establish prairie strips on their farms. This one-time incentive payment is only available in Iowa and can be stacked with Conservation Reserve Program.
- Precision Conservation Analysis, which is a data-driven approach to identify consistently underperforming acres to increase farm profitability and conservation value. Farm consultation, profitability assessment and customized maps detailing different management scenarios are provided at no cost. Farmers can receive a one-time incentive payment on acres farmed if perennial cover is established on some of the marginal acres identified during the assessment. PFI is partnering with Pheasants Forever to provide technical assistance to both Iowa and Minnesota.
Participants can stack PFI’s program with programs offered by other organizations, helping farmers and landowners further lower the costs of adding conservation practices.
Full details are available at practicalfarmers.org/habitat-incentives-program.
If you’re a farmer or landowner curious about adding conservation practices on your farm, contact Grace Yi, PFI’s habitat viability manager, at (515) 232-5661 or grace.yi@practicalfarmers.org.
Funding for this project is made possible by Clean Water Iowa, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant and Pheasants Forever.
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About Practical Farmers: Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit with more than 9,000 members that equips farmers to build resilient farms and communities. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities. To learn more, visit http://practicalfarmers.org.