What's Up at the USDA Office?
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
November 28: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to certify fall-seeded crops - Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)
Iowa NRCS Sets Nov. 22 Cutoff for Conservation Program Applications
The first application cutoff for Iowa farmers and other private landowners to apply for conservation practices in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 through USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs is November 22. NRCS accepts conservation program applications on a continuous basis but sets application cutoff dates as funding allows. Iowa agricultural producers and private landowners can apply for NRCS conservation program funding by visiting their local NRCS office. Iowa has 100 NRCS field offices, located at USDA Service Centers in every county.
The November 22 application cutoff includes the following NRCS Farm Bill programs:
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
Last year, NRCS obligated a record $103 million to Iowans through CSP, EQIP and RCPP. Iowa NRCS State Conservationist Jon Hubbert believes FY25 will be another record year. “The demand for conservation funding in Iowa has never been greater,” said Hubbert. “From soil health to water quality to wildlife habitat, our staff are available to help with your resource conservation needs.”
A major reason for the increase in conservation funding is the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Signed into law in August 2022, the IRA is delivering unprecedented conservation funding to Iowa farmers. About 36 percent of Iowa NRCS conservation funding last year was through the IRA.
In addition to traditional program funding, the IRA adds targeted funding for climate-smart agricultural practices that benefit soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and treat other resource concerns. Examples include no-till farming, cover crops, conservation cover, crop rotations, nutrient management, prescribed grazing, tree-shrub establishment, and windbreak-shelterbelt establishment/renovation.
