Dubuque Soil & Water Conservation district 

The Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Program 

​The Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program provides funding to the Division to work with soil and water conservation districts to address local water quality protection needs. The principal objective of the Water Quality Protection program is to protect water quality in Iowa by targeting and preventing off-site sediment, nutrient and livestock waste pollution problems. This program complements the cost share program’s objectives to control soil erosion and protect land productivity. REAP funds are allocated to water quality protection projects to address water quality protection problems of local significance.
REAP practice funds are used to support the establishment of trees and native vegetation for land resource enhancement and water quality protection. The remaining 75% can be used in the following ways within designated priority watersheds:​

• Land use conversion practices convert row crops to permanent vegetation for buffer establishment, stream bank stabilization, or other permanent cover applications
  
• Traditional erosion control practices where those practices are installed to protect high priority public water resources, or where those practices address priority water quality problems such as sinkholes
  
• Livestock waste management systems for water resource protection
  
• Voluntary agricultural drainage well closure
  
• Storm water practices
  

Applications are accepted anytime; however, funding may be limited.

Iowa Department of Agriculture Programs (IDALS)

Iowa Financial Incentive Program IFIP 

​Iowa financial incentive funds are available for use on privately owned land used for agricultural production.  “Agricultural production” means the commercial production of food or fiber.  Tracts of land used for agricultural production which are less than ten acres in size and from which less than $2500 of agricultural products are sold annually may not qualify for funds. IFIP funds are used for permanent practices. The funds/project are subject to a maintenance agreement which is recorded at the Dubuque County Recorder's office for the length of the agreement.

State cost share can be used for temporary or permanent practices. For example:

By investing in soil conservation, you receive the best of both worlds: you improve the productivity of your farm and keep sediment out of the water. The work you do on your farm permanently benefits the quality of life in Iowa.

State Revolving Loan Fund

​The State Revolving Loan Fund (SRL) is a new source of low-cost financing available to landowners. This opportunity is available specifically to assist and encourage landowners to address non-point source pollution of Iowa streams and lakes. Virtually all practices eligible for State Cost Share, REAP and EQIP are eligible for loans.

Cost-Share & Incentive Programs

The Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District administer state cost share and incentive programs for soil conservation and water quality projects in Dubuque County. Fund allocations are made to soil and water conservation districts, commissioners set priorities for their use, and field office staff assure the technical quality of practices built. Dubuque SWCD administer state cost share and incentive programs for soil conservation and water quality projects in Dubuque County. These practices are subject to maintenance agreements. Applications can be accepted at any time. Funding is limited for all programs.

Permanent practices

Diversion
Grade stabilization structures
Grass strips
Pasture and Hay land planting
Terraces
Windbreaks
Grassed waterways
Tree planting
Conservation cover

Temporary practices

No-till
Strip till
Contouring
Field Borders
Cover Crops
Ridge till
Critical Area Planting
Contour strip cropping
Filter strips

Water Quality Initiative (WQI)

Cost share up to 160 acres for the following practices: 

• Cover Crops- FY 2026 $30/acre for 1st time users
• Cover Crops- FY 2026 $20/acre for previous users
  
• No-Till, Strip-Till, Ridge Till- FY 2026 $10/acre 1st time users only

Sign up for Cover Crops begins in early summer for fall planting.