Iowa farmers and landowners interested in converting underperforming cropland into pasture or hay ground can start by contacting their local USDA Service Center or Soil and Water Conservation District. Iowa also offers an online cost-share application portal to begin the process. Local staff can confirm whether your property qualifies and which funding opportunities are available.
For landowners with acres that consistently struggle to produce profitable row crops, this program offers an opportunity worth exploring.
What Is Iowa’s Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program?
The Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program helps farmers and landowners establish pasture and hay on underperforming or highly erodible cropland. Its goal is to keep agricultural acres productive while improving water quality, reducing erosion, and providing additional forage for livestock.
On October 26, 2026, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced a new $10 million USDA investment over five years to expand the program and support infrastructure improvements.
Who May Qualify?
The program serves livestock producers and landowners in participating areas. A good starting point is to identify fields—or portions of fields—that have low yields, erosion concerns, or potential for forage production.
The program’s previously announced service area includes:
- Adams, Carroll, Cherokee, Guthrie, Ida, Page, Taylor, and Woodbury counties.
- Its 2026 expansion added Audubon, Boone, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Clay, Dallas, Dickinson, Emmet, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Sac, Webster, Winnebago, and Wright counties.
Being in a participating county does not automatically qualify every property. Ask local program staff to confirm eligibility for your specific acres and the applicable funding source. The October announcement does not identify the final additional counties that may be served by the new federal investment.
How Do You Apply?
1. Contact Your Local Conservation Office
Call or visit your local USDA Service Center and ask about the Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program. You can also contact your county Soil and Water Conservation District to discuss the project.
Use the USDA Service Center Locator to find an office by state and county.
A simple way to start the conversation is:
“I own farmland in this county and am interested in converting some crop acres to pasture or hay. Is my property eligible for the Working Lands Program, and is funding available?”
2. Start an Online Cost-Share Application
Visit Iowa’s Cost-Share Application Portal and select “Apply for Cost Share.”
The portal allows applicants to establish an account, sign required documents electronically, and track an application through payment. It serves multiple conservation programs, so identify your interest in the Working Lands Program and confirm the correct application route with local staff.
3. Prepare Information About Your Farm
To make the initial discussion more useful, have the following information available:
- Property location and approximate acres you want to convert.
- A map showing the fields or areas involved.
- Current land use and any available yield history.
- Your intended use: hay production, grazing, or both.
- Questions about fencing, livestock water, and forage establishment.
This is a suggested preparation list. Your local office will explain the actual documentation required.
4. Review the Funding and Agreement Before Starting
Ask program staff to explain:
- Which practices and expenses qualify.
- The payment rate and your share of the cost.
- Any acreage limits or maintenance requirements.
- When work may begin.
- How completion is verified and payment is issued.
- What happens if you sell or lease the property during the agreement.
Before purchasing materials or beginning work, confirm whether written approval is required for those expenses to qualify.
How Much Financial Assistance Can You Receive?
The October 26 announcement does not publish a per-acre payment rate or a standard payment amount for individual farms. The $10 million is total project funding over five years.
Landowners should request a current payment schedule and a project-specific estimate from their local office.
Is There an Application Deadline?
The October announcement does not provide a specific application deadline for the new federal funding.
Earlier program guidance states that applications are funded on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on availability. Because funding sources and signup periods can differ, contact your local office promptly to ask about current openings and the new award’s application timeline.
Does Converting Cropland Make Sense for Your Farm?
Before making a change, compare the acres’ actual crop income with their potential use as pasture or hay. Include establishment expenses, fencing, water access, ongoing maintenance, and the availability of a livestock operator or hay market.
Cost-share assistance can help with the transition, but the long-term use should fit your property and financial goals.
At Whitaker Marketing Group, we help landowners evaluate farmland, explore buying and selling opportunities, and consider how a property’s characteristics affect its marketability. If you are considering a change in land use before buying or selling, contact our team to discuss your goals. For program eligibility and funding approval, start with your local USDA Service Center or Soil and Water Conservation District.
Funding availability, application deadlines, eligibility requirements, and payment amounts are subject to change. Farmers and landowners should confirm current program details with their local USDA Service Center or Soil and Water Conservation District.
