Grazing Infrastructure Cost-Share

Program Overview

The grazing cost-share supports aspiring or existing graziers who wish to adopt regenerative grazing practices that improve forage, soil and water quality. The cost-share also helps them expand their livestock enterprises through improved grazing management.

Key Benefits

• Receive $2,500 for grazing infrastructure
• Improve your grazing management
• Grow your livestock enterprise

Funding for 2027 is confirmed. Applications for the next round of cost-share will be open from Dec. 1-18, 2026. We expect to make funding decisions by Jan. 8, 2027.  

Farmers are eligible for $2,500 to support the purchase of eligible items, including fence, water and some shelter needs. We will award approximately 40 cost-shares for the 2027 grazing season.  

This program is competitive, because we expect to have more applicants than we can fund. The application survey will ask you to describe your goals for grazing and management. We recommend thinking about the type of system you hope to establish and being prepared to describe how the funds would help you reach that goal. 

Apply early! Applications will be considered in the order they are received.

Participants will complete surveys at the beginning and end of the program to collect data for before-and-after comparisons of their grazing programs. Participants will also complete a consultation or check-in call with Margaret and must submit receipts documenting purchases of eligible items.

Basic information about eligibility and program requirements is below. For more information or for other questions, contact our livestock systems manager, Margaret Chamas, by email or by phone at (515) 232-5661 x1033.

Eligibility 

• This program is open to aspiring and current farmers in the Upper Midwest, roughly Iowa and surrounding states. 
• There are no restrictions, limits or requirements related to acres or animals grazed, years of farming experience or FSA status. 
• Preference is given to perennial pasture grazing over timber or brush management and cover crop grazing. 
• These funds are stackable with EQIP; specifics will be discussed with accepted applicants during consultations. 
• Past cost-share recipients and their family or farm partners are welcome to apply, but priority will be given to first-time recipients. 
• Past applicants who were not accepted are encouraged to reapply, as the application survey and requirements have changed somewhat. 

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses include almost anything directly related to rotational grazing of livestock. Permanent or semipermanent infrastructure may be eligible. You are welcome to contact Margaret with questions about eligibility or how you would like to use the funds. Discussing a potential expense does not guarantee acceptance into the program. 

• Fencing 
  • Eligible expenses: Polywire or polyrope, electric netting, HT electric wire, fence chargers, solar panels, virtual fence (including collars, towers and first-year subscription fees), step-in posts, pigtail posts, temporary fiberglass fence posts and associated insulators 
  • Possibly eligible expenses: Permanent or semipermanent posts and supplies (things like T-posts, wood posts, Timeless-style posts, cattle panels, barbed wire or permanent HT fence), pipe gates, portable corrals and handling systems 

• Watering 
  • Eligible expenses: Hoses and above-ground water lines, fittings, valves, floats, tubs, tanks and small water trailers 
  • Possibly eligible expenses: Hydrants, buried water lines, pond work, well drilling, hooking up to rural water and pasture irrigation 

• Housing and shelter 
  • Eligible expenses: Chicken tractors, portable shelters (for hogs or small ruminants) and portable shade structures 
  • Possibly eligible expenses: Windbreaks 

• Pasture (seed) improvements:
  • Eligible expenses: Seeds or services to improve pasture stand quality, increase diversity, integrate native species, etc. 
  • Ineligible expenses: Cover crops or annual forages on cropland. Annuals or nurse crops are acceptable as part of a diverse mix that is going in on permanent pastureland or row crop ground being converted to pasture. Perennials, such as alfalfa, that are being seeded as part of a long-term crop rotation are not eligible. 
  • Please note that changes to grazing management must occur within the 2027 grazing season. Seeded or interseeded pastures must be grazed during the 2027 grazing season. 

Program Steps 

1. Complete the application survey between Dec. 1-18, 2026. 
2. Sign the agreement and complete the initial data collection form by Feb. 1, 2027. 
3. Schedule a consult call with Margaret Chamas by March 15, 2027. 
4. Make eligible purchases and submit receipts by April 1, 2027.
5. Maintain grazing records throughout the grazing season. 
6. Complete the follow-up data collection form by Nov. 1, 2027.  

Resources

• Factsheet: Novel Investment in Grazing Infrastructure: Flexible Funding for Portable, Temporary Grazing Supplies