Secretary Naig Welcomes Significant USDA Investment in Iowa Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program
New $10 million federal investment will expand conservation opportunities, improve water quality and soil health, and support growth of Iowa's cattle herd
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Oct. 26, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today welcomed a new $10 million investment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to build on the success of Iowa's popular Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program.
Awarded through USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the five-year investment in Iowa’s innovative program will continue to help cattle producers and other farmers convert underperforming or highly erodible row crop acres into pasture and hay ground. This approach keeps agricultural land in production while reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, creating more grazing opportunities and supporting growth of Iowa's cattle herd.
“Iowa’s popular Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program demonstrates that we can improve water quality, rebuild the U.S. cattle herd and make the most of every acre of our valuable farmland,” said Secretary Naig. “The Iowa Working Lands Program started out as a pilot project in Taylor County in 2016, and has since grown into a very successful conservation program in Iowa, while creating a model for other states. This RCPP gives us the flexibility to support infrastructure improvements and expand the program to serve livestock producers in more Iowa counties.”
The new Iowa Working Lands Water Quality Project RCPP is a partnership among the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, Iowa Cattlemen's Association and Ducks Unlimited. Together, the partners will work with farmers and landowners to expand conservation practices that improve water quality while strengthening Iowa's livestock industry and rural communities.
Building on a Decade of Success
The Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program has already demonstrated significant success, with more than 1,800 participants, 20,000 acres of underperforming cropland converted to pasture or hay ground, and more than 300,000 acres of cover crops planted.
The program began as a pilot project in Taylor County in 2016 before expanding into neighboring Page County. With support from a previous USDA RCPP award, the program expanded into Woodbury, Cherokee, Ida, Guthrie and Carroll counties, followed by Adams County. At the 2026 Iowa State Fair, Secretary Naig announced another major expansion into 22 counties in the Greater Des Moines Watershed, made possible by the state-funded Farm to Faucet water quality package approved by the Iowa Legislature earlier this year.
Strong Demand for Working Lands Program
Demand for the Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program has been exceptionally strong. The $500,000 in annual state funding made available through the Farm to Faucet water quality package was fully obligated within just 10 days of the State Fair expansion announcement. In response to the overwhelming demand, Gov. Reynolds directed an additional $2.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support further conversions of underperforming cropland into pasture and hay ground through the end of 2026.
Farmers and landowners interested in learning more about the Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program or available cost-share opportunities can visit CleanWaterIowa.org or contact their local USDA Service Center.