Conservation Compass

Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) Prairie Incentive

Modified On
April 6, 2026

The PFI Habitat Incentives program helps producers reduce erosion and nutrient loss while attracting pollinators. PFI’s program is unique because they can help you combine their habitat program with the USDA’s CRP incentives.

Info at a Glance

Lead Organization

Practical Farmers of Iowa

Funding Source

Public

Agronomist Support?

Technical Assistance Provided

Eligibility:

Must be acres not already in prairie // Average prairie strip width must be between 30-120 ft // Prairie conversion cannot exceed 25% of land tract acres // must be seeded with USDA approved prairie mix

Location

Statewide

Contract Length

Alone: 5 years; With CRP add-on: 10-15 years

Deadline

Rolling

Sign-up Process

For PFI’s program, you can sing up using a short PFI application and 30-60 min consult; If you decide to pair it with CRP, you’ll sign up through the FSA office, but start by contacting PFI

Pros and Cons

  • Provides flexibility to work with only PFI, or to collaborate with FSA for additional funding


Rates:

Route A: One-time PFI payment of $256/acre + annual CRP payment
Route B: One-time PFI payment of $1,100-$1,300/acre

Notes:

For additional incentives, inquire about PFI’s Precision Conservation Program

Helpful Links

Program Website

CONTACT IAWA Find Conservation Agronomist Conservation Compass Home

Stacks well with:

Always check with program rep before signing up for multiple programs. Learn more about stacking here.

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