Conservation Compass

Greater Des Moines Watershed Program

Modified On
July 16, 2026

The IDALS Greater Des Moines Watershed Program offers increased cover crop incentives and higher acre caps to farmers who live in 22 counties upstream of Des Moines. It is part of WQI.

Info at a Glance

Lead Organization

Iowa Department of Land Stewardship

Funding Source

State

Agronomist Support?

Yes

Eligibility:

New & existing cover crop users within 22 Co

Location

Audubon, Boone, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Clay, Dallas, Dickinson, Emmet, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Sac, Webster, Winnebago and Wright

Contract Length

1 year

Deadline

Until funds run out. Recommend signing up before end of July

Sign-up Process

Sign-up process takes 1-7 days at your local SWCD. Payment is usually made before Jan 1, but can depend on how quickly farmer brings in proof of planting.

Pros and Cons

  • Acre cap is 500, higher than traditional WQI
  • Easy to sign up
  • Other incentives also available including grazing friendly streamside buffers
  • Funds go fast, so sign up early!


Rates:

New & existing users: $25/acre

Notes:

500 acre cap



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.

Farmers for Soil Health

A program made by farmers for farmers, this is a USDA grant funded initially by the Climate Smart Program (now known as Amp, or the Advancing Markets For Producers program). New in 2026, payments are $35 per acre for all farmers, not just those who are new to cover crops, and farmers must sign up before seeding.


Learn more

Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) Cover Crop Program

PFI offers a straightforward program that many farmers come back to year after year for its ease of use. *New in 2026, it is partially funded via an AMP grant by USDA, meaning it does not stack with other federal funding.


Learn more

Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF)

Run by AgOutcomes, a subsidiary of Iowa Soybean Association, SWOF is a carbon inset program that pays farmers for environmental outcomes. It’s great for farmers with long term goals becasue you can add new practices every year to potentially increase your rates.


Learn more

Looking for help?
Search our Agronomist Directory.

AGRONOMIST DIRECTORY