Program Overview

Receive a one-time incentive payment to establish small native prairie on odds-and-ends areas within or adjacent to crop fields, such as roadside ditches, farmstead, berms, etc.

Key Benefits

Achieve your goals by receiving technical and financial support to establish native prairies.

Apply Now

Eligibility

  • Project site must be in Iowa
  • Project site must be within or adjacent to a crop field
  • Project size must be 2 acres* or less

Native prairie seed mix requirements:

  • Pollinator seed mix containing at least 30 total species and 3 blooming species per season (CRP CP42 seed mix meets this requirement)
  • Seeding rates must be at least 40 seeds per square foot

Payment Rate

Participants will receive a flat payment rate of $400 per acre.

Program Requirements

If accepted into the program, you must commit to planting prairie on your farm.

How to Apply

  • Fill out the contact form linked below.
  • Upload a map or a picture with the proposed project area drawn out in the contact form. See example photo.
  • Schedule a consultation. After submitting the contact form, you will automatically be redirected to a bookings page where you can schedule a call with our habitat systems manager.
Apply Now

Program Partners

Funding for this project is made possible by Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship and State Soil Conservation & Water Quality Committee.

Note: Participation in Practical Farmers’ habitat incentives program may also include signing a maintenance agreement or contract with a PFI partner, such as the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Inquire for more details.