Beneficial Insects Cost-Share
Apply now for beneficial insects cost-share!
This program is available through 2024 or until funding lasts.
Practical Farmers of Iowa and Xerces Society are seeking urban farmers who would like to plant beneficial insect habitat on their urban farm. These farms serve communities with local produce or products such as fruits, vegetables, herbs or honey.
Through our beneficial insects cost-share program, PFI will fund native plants and costs associated with establishment so you can create insectary strips or beetle banks. Our goal is for farmers to use beneficial insects to increase natural predation and pollination on their urban farms.
Eligibility
To qualify, you must:
- Grow specialty crops on an urban or suburban farm in Iowa
- Be eligible for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program or willing to register your farm with USDA
- Plant a small portion of your urban farm with native plants
If accepted, you agree to:
- Work with Xerces Society to develop an insect habitat plan
- Plant and maintain native plants on your urban farm
Funding for this project is made possible by Ceres Trust, Practical Farmers of Iowa, USDA-IA NRCS, and Xerces Society.
Special Considerations
This program is designed for urban and suburban producers. Prioritization will be given to applicants who have been historically underserved. Four groups are defined by USDA as “historically underserved,” including farmers or ranchers who are: beginning; socially disadvantaged; veterans; and limited resource. If you’re not sure if that’s you, please fill out the application and PFI staff will be in touch to help determine if we can support your habitat goals in this or other programs.
All specialty crop farms in urban locations are encouraged to apply but prioritization will be given to eligible counties.
Questions?
Contact Grace Yi, our senior habitat viability coordinator, at grace.yi(at)practicalfarmers(dot)org or at (515) 232-5661.