Conservation Compass

Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF)

Modified On
April 6, 2026

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.

Info at a Glance

Lead Organization

AgOutcomes, a subsidiary of the Iowa Soybean Association

Funding Source

Private (carbon)

Agronomist Support?

Yes, from a SWOF Conservation Agronomist

Eligibility:

Must add a new conservation practice

Location

Statewide

Contract Length

1 year, ability to renew

Deadline

Rolling

Sign-up Process

You must sign up before implementing the practice. A SWOF conservation agronomist helps you sign up in as little as a week. After you meet, they will model environmental outcomes and provide a payment rate. They do all the paperwork and provide agronomy support if needed.

Pros and Cons

  • Backed by Iowa Soybean Association
  • Can sign up for new practices every year to increase payments with up to 10 years renewal
  • Carbon inset program as opposed to offsets, meaning carbon buyers are looking to reduce carbon emissions within their own supply chain
  • Does not stack with other carbon programs


Rates:

Average program payment: $30/acre

Notes:

Rates vary by type and number of conservation practices used



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 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 must sign up before seeding.


Learn more

EQIP/RCPP

RCPP and EQIP are both USDA programs administered through NRCS and offer some of the highest payment rates. Often, the rates are similar, which is why we have them grouped here. However, RCPP rates can sometimes differ because RCPP is based on individual project areas within the state of Iowa.


Learn more

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