Iowa farmers and private landowners invested millions of dollars in conservation efforts last year through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The Iowa NRCS reports producers enrolled about 258,000 acres of private land during fiscal year 2025 through four major Farm Bill conservation programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
Overall, more than $75 million in conservation funding was committed through over 1,300 contracts, most running three to five years and targeting soil erosion, water quality and grazing management.
State Conservationist Jon Hubbert says Iowa’s conservation progress is driven by strong collaboration between farmers, agencies and local partners, allowing landowners to meet long-term conservation goals.
Common practices included cover crops, grazing management, fencing and livestock watering systems.
Nearly $32 million went through EQIP, while another $21 million supported stewardship contracts. NRCS also provided $1.4 million to help Iowa communities recover from flooding and severe weather.
