CONSERVATION COMPASS > FUNDING > COMPARE
Compass FAQ
Select a practice and compare program details.
General questions
What is the conservation compass?
The Conservation Compass is one central place where you can find most things you need to understand conservation programs and cost share. It’s a one-stop-shop to find, learn about, and act on conservation funding. It’s a powerful tool to help farmers, conservationists, and agronomists to be more empowered. It’s the only Iowa-based directory of its kind. And it’s made by a team with a farming background who is passionate about cutting the jargon, the confusing marketing, 600 page scenario booklets and everything else. Farmers don’t have time for that. This is real info they can use immediately.
Is the conservation compass the same thing as costsharecompare.com?
Yes, but better! Costsharecompare.com was born in 2023 and was the first ever director of conservation cost share programs. That was a pilot website. Due to its success including a national award, we upgraded and expanded it into the Conservation Compass! The main changes are an easier-to-read design, more programs, better organized details, and all on our main website where you can also find more great resources for conservation.
How often is the compass updated?
We are commited to updating the Compass and our print guide at least once per year in the spring, but we often go in and update programs more frequently as we get new information in. On every program listing, you’ll se a “last updated” description, so you know how fresh the information is.
Can I get notified when things are updated?
Absolutely! You can subscribe to updates here. We’ll only send updates when we actually have updates. But we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter, too, which is once per month.
Questions about program info
How did you compile the program info? can i trust it?
For each program included, the IAWA team led a 60-min interview with a farmer facing staff member. This is the most important step. Why? Often, what’s listed online or what’s written by leadership/marketing is not actually what happens in the field. As a courtesy to all program leaders, though, we do give them the opportunity to approve final information. This ensures they trust us, too.
While we take great care to provide the most accurate information, it is impossible for IAWA to capture every important program detail, so we encourage you to reach out to the programs you are most interested in.
do programs pay to be on the guide?
No, this tool is not funded by any of the programs listed. We do this to make sure that all information is displayed as consistently as possible and without bias.
does iawa have a connection to any of the guide’s programs?
IAWA is a partner in Farmers for Soil Health and several RCPP projects (a USDA-NRCS program). IAWA does not administer programs, provide technical assistance, or recruit farmers. Our main roles are securing project funding and providing communications and outreach to farmers, landowners, and partners.
Does the conservation compass include every program available?
What you’ll find on this website are about 2 dozen programs that IAWA is familiar with. If you are familiar with a program that we don’t have listed here, please let us know via our contact form! We are continuously expanding the Compass.
Questions about getting a spot in the Compass
What programs are eligible to be listed in the conservation compass
Programs are eligible for the Compass if they offer cost share for any of the practices listed. We’re open to adding new practices if there’s enough demand, though, so reach out! Programs must have a water quality goal or impact. Program leaders must provide a farmer facing staff member for an interview, and be willing to update/confirm info once per year.
how do i get my program listed in the conservation compass?
Please reach out to us here.
how do i update our program info?
Please reach out via our contact form.
Questions about cost share
What is cost share? do i have to pay?
Cost share is a payment to farmers and landowners to cover all or part of the costs of conservation practices. You might also hear this referred to as an incentive or payment program. You can read about cost share on our “Cost Share 101” page.
What’s the carbon market have to do with cost share?
Carbon programs are one way farmers can get paid for cover crops, no-till, and other in-field practices that sequester carbon in the soil. Sequestering carbon is technical terminology for capturing carbon dioxide from the air and locking it underground. Carbon programs usually privately funded by companies who are trying to lower their environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions through insets or offsets. Learn more about the topic on our carbon markets 101 page.
is 45z cost share and why don’t you have it listed here?
You may have heard buzz about 45Z. It gets its name from Section 45Z of the Internal Revenue Code, added by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and then amended in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025. We do not have it listed as “cost share” because it’s not yet an active incentive.
45Z aims to reward renewable fuel producers (ethanol plants) for sustainability. A tax credit would go to an ethanol producer with low Carbon Intensity (CI) scores. By doing this, the expectation is that farmers would get paid a premium for crops grown with low carbon intensity. Farmers can lower their carbon intensity with practices like cover crops and no-till. More rules and guidance are needed before 45Z is actionable.