Conservation Compass

South Skunk River & Cedar Creek Watershed Project

Modified On
April 10, 2026
This is a State of Iowa funded cost share grant for producers in priority watersheds. This grant exclusively funds those in Mahaska, NE Marion, and SE Jasper Counties. We have direct funding for cover crop and provide cost share assistance for other best management practices.
This state incentive is popular because it’s easy to sign up for and accepts both new and continuing acres; but sign up early. Funds are first come, first served.

Info at a Glance

Lead Organization

USDA/NRCS, IDALS, Mahaska SWCD

Funding Source

State

Agronomist Support?

Yes

Eligibility:

New & continuing acres within watershed boundaries

Location

South Skunk River & Cedar Creek Watershed

Contract Length

1 year

Deadline

December or until funds run out

Sign-up Process

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

Pros and Cons

  • Unlimited acres per applicant
  • Can stack other programs (i.e. Duck Unlimited AMP, Practical Farmers, etc.)
  • Can sign up in Mahaska, Marion, or Jasper County (i.e. sign up where your acres lie in the watershed)
  • Funds go fast so you have to sign up early!
  • Limited to watershed boundaries


Rates:

$25/acre

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.

Ducks Unlimited AMP

This program offers funding and technical support for cover crops, reduced tillage, buffers, and livestock integration. It is unique to the other programs here due to its emphasis on pork producers and livestock practices. National Pork Board is the lead organization, but it’s not limited to only pork producers.


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

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

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Search our Agronomist Directory.

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