All IAWA Projects
USDA PROJECTS
BRINGING NATIONAL FUNDING TO IOWA
USDA provides funding through several different programs and initiatives including
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
- Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative (Formerly known as Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities)
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
learn about iawa’s USDA projects
ISACD
The Iowa Systems Approach to Conservation Drainage improves both farm profitability and sustainability on some of the most intensely drained farmland in Iowa. It’s focused on drainage improvements like bioreactors, and wetlands.
MAWQP
The Midwest Agriculture Water Quality Partnership is the largest RCPP in the nation in terms of financial investment and has resulted in 4 million acres of conservation so far. This project has more than 100 partners.
CRSWP
The Cedar River Source Water Partnership is designed to bring together farmers, agri-business, and cities to improve water quality with a focus on proetecting drinkin water sources in the Cedar River Watershed.
NRSWO
The North Raccoon Soil and Water Outcomes project connects upstream and downstream partners to improve water quality in the North Raccoon Watershed, which provides drinking water for 500,000 people in the DSM Metro.
ACEP-WRE
IAWA has a nearly $7M agreement with USDA-NRCS to restore wetlands through the WRE program. We work in partnership with Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC to streamline this effort and ensure quality and efficiency.
Farmers for Soil Health
FSH is a farmer-led partnership among the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association, which advances soil health practices to meet sustainability and profitability goals.
PRIVATELY FUNDED PROGRAMS
SECURING PRIVATE DOLLARS FOR PUBLIC GOOD
IAWA secures grants from private foundations and organizations to advance our mission of improvin water quality through farmer led conservation. Below are some of the projects and funders.
learn about iawa’s privately funded projects
Central Iowa Clean Water Partnership
The Central Iowa Clean Water Partnership is possible thanks to Prairie Meadows’ Legacy Grant program. We are working to fund large wetlands projects that all central Iowans can enjoy. As of 2025, the Partnership has received $900,000 from Prairie Meadows.
Conservation Infrastructure
The now completed Conservation Infrastructure (CI) initiative created working groups that researched barriers to scaling conservation, solutions, and more private sector engagement to meet Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS) goals.
Edge of Field Sign Program
Thanks to initial funding from Iowa Corn, IAWA developed a funding program for farmers & landowners to place signs around the state celebrating conservation. This recognizes their commitment and also recruits more landowners to try conservation!
National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Grants
NFWF has supported IAWA through three grants in 2015, 2020, and 2023. The first grant helped to accelerate habitat in priority watersheds. The second paid for the salary of a conservation agronomist in NW Iowa, and the third provided outreach support for cover crop cost share.
Walton Family Foundation Grants
The Walton Family Foundation has awarded IAWA with $275,000, first to support the implementation of Conservation Infrastructure, and then to support nutrient efficiency research and promotion. The Foundation supports education, rivers, oceans, and communities and has been a major supporter of Iowa conservation.
CLEAN WATER = GOOD BEER
A CATEGORY OF ITS OWN
The biggest ingredient in beer is water! So it’s no surprise that cleaner water leads to tastier beer. Beer also uses small grains for flavor – which are fantastic for soil health and erosion prevention.
Learn more about our beer collaborations
Born Here, Brewed Here with Exile Brewing
It started with a few growers trying to do what’s best for their farms and communities. That grew into a delicious IPA made with the unique flavors of Iowa grain and hops, under the care of a brewer who’s passionate about local ingredients. All proceeds of BHBH Volume 1 went to Central Iowa water quality
Blue Taps with West O Beer
Blue Taps is a program created by West O beer to support water quality in Iowa. Located not far from the banks of Iowa’s Great Lakes, West O wanted to help keep its water clean for future generations. Anywhere you see a blue tap at the bar, you can order a West O beer, and proceeds go to IAWA and Keep Okoboji Blue!