April 1, 2024: The Iowa DNR Water Quality Improvement program is now accepting applications through May 31, 2024 for Round 2 of its “Underserved Farmer and Farm Community” subaward grant. The grant will provide funding of between $75,000 and $250,000 per project. A total of $700,000 remains of the $3,000,000 award to Iowa from the U.S. EPA Gulf of Mexico Division to support this second round of subawards. Proposed projects must have a water quality or quantity component, with areas of emphasis on flood reduction, source water protection, and nutrient runoff reduction. Each project is encouraged to have a communications plan or other education and outreach strategy, and individual projects can be focused solely on education and outreach with a water focus if justified. See the fact sheet document (below) for more information.
Eligible applicants include: Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), institutions of higher learning, local or state government entities, including 28E intergovernmental entities affiliated with watershed work (Watershed Management Authorities - WMAs - or similar), NGOs and nonprofits, tribal nations, beginning farmer groups, and U.S. military veteran farmer groups.
The grant will be funded by EPA's Gulf of Mexico Division Farmer to Farmer grant, and awarded by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Water Quality Improvement (Section 319) program.
Application Materials:
Underserved Farmer and Farm Community Grant Fact Sheet
Grant Application Form | Application Form (Alternate File Type)
All applications should be submitted via email to watershed.improvement@dnr.iowa.gov by 4:30 PM May 31, 2024.
Questions?
Contact watershed.improvement@dnr.iowa.gov for more information or utilize the Contact Watershed Staff Page.