There are many federal, state, and local programs that provide funding for establishing monarch and pollinator habitat within and around agricultural areas. Below are a collection of opportunities to help off-set establishment costs, provide cost-share options, or free materials for habitat establishment! For a step-by-step overview on financing pollinator habitat, check out this helpful guide created by Drake University.
If you know of a program we missed, please let us know! Send us an email at monarchs@iastate.edu.
Federal Programs
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program - provides technical and financial assistance to help farmers address natural resource concerns while improving agricultural operations
- Includes options for Urban and Small Scale Farmers
- Check out the Monarch Butterflies Working Lands for Wildlife program!
- Sign ups happen on a continuous basis
- Visit your local NRCS office to go over your options today!
- Conservation Stewardship Program - offers multiple payment options from annual contracts and supplemental payments to help you build upon existing conservation efforts
- Length of contract - 5 years
- Sign ups happen on a continuous basis
- Visit your local NRCS office to go over your options today!
- Length of contract - 5 years
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - helps farmers protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, grasslands and working lands through conservation easements
- Sign ups happen on a continuous basis
- Contact your Iowa NRCS Easement Specialist to go over your options today!
USDA Farm Service Agency
- Conservation Reserve Program - supports farmers in converting low-yield, highly erodible acreage to vegetative cover including native pollinator habitat
- Length of contract - 10-15 years
- Sign up deadlines:
- General CRP - early spring (April)
- Continuous CRP - spring (early May)
- Grassland CRP - spring (late May)
- Visit your local FSA office to go over your options today!
State Programs
Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
- Soil Conservation and Water Quality Cost Share - partnership with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to provide financial assistance to farmers looking to address soil and water quality concerns
- Generally covers 50 - 75% of the total project costs
- Supports conservation practices including grassed waterways, filter strips, saturated buffers, wetlands, and windbreaks!
- Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District for more information
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Resources Enhancement and Protection - provides funding to landowners to assist with soil and water conservation projects
- This program is in partnership with IDALS
- Supports the establishment of native vegetation for water quality and soil protection
- Contact IDALS for more information
Local Programs
Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund
- Seed A Legacy Program - offers guidance and resources for those looking to establish prairie habitat
- Provides native seeds to assist with habitat establishment
- Currently accepting applications
Iowa Soybean Association
- Soil and Water Outcomes Fund - provides financial support for farmers beginning or expanding on-farm conservation practices
- Works with farmers to build environmental and economic sustainability in agriculture
- 1-year contracts
- Enrollments opens in the summer
Practical Farmers of Iowa
- Cost-Share Program - provides financial incentives for farmers who implement conservation practices
- Multiple programs are available for prairie establishment, regenerative grazing, and other conservation actions
- Enrollment time varies by program
- Some are currently accepting applications while others open in the fall
Project Wingspan
- Prairie Habitat Establishment - part of their Habitat Survey program
- Provides native seeds to assist with habitat establishment or enhancement
- Currently accepting applications