Iowa funds agriculture, conservation, parks and water programs

The agriculture department would receive funds for agency work and programs, including farmer support, food purchasing, animal disease response, and agricultural grants. The funding supports the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and designated programs, including farmers with disabilities and local food and farm work. The school food purchasing appropriation applies only if House File 2748 or successor legislation is enacted. Choose Iowa money supports agricultural grants, dairy innovation and promotion; the department may rebalance its allocations based on awards with at least thirty days' website notice. Most listed appropriations cover the fiscal year from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; some unspent program money remains available through the following fiscal year.

The natural resources department would receive funding for agency work, wildlife programs, parks, flood and dam safety, and environmental work. The funding covers the Department of Natural Resources, state parks, and fish and wildlife activities across Iowa. The department reserves 50 full-time-equivalent positions for seasonal state park upkeep and sanitation, without affecting conservation officer, park ranger or park manager positions. Up to $1 million from the REAP open spaces account may support state park maintenance, development, operations, and repairs. The listed appropriations cover July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; certain unspent Environment First money remains available through the next fiscal year or until its project is complete.

Iowa State University and the State University of Iowa would receive funds for veterinary services, farm safety, private forest support, and groundwater study. The funding supports university veterinary diagnostic work, agricultural safety, technical help for northeast Iowa forest owners and loggers, and the Iowa Geological Survey. The State University of Iowa must retain the agricultural safety center director for at least the same number of hours worked in fiscal year 2025–2026 and may not reduce its other support for the center because of this appropriation. Groundwater study funding from fund interest and earnings may not exceed earnings accrued during the fiscal year. The appropriations generally cover July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; the Geological Survey may keep some unspent general-fund project money available after that year.

The bill would direct Environment First money to conservation, water quality, parks, and related state work. The funding covers farm conservation, watershed projects, water monitoring, parks, animal feeding operation oversight, and related environmental work. Water quality demonstration projects would use practices in Iowa’s nutrient reduction strategy and involve people with legal interests in farmland; the state share is generally capped at the lower of half the estimated or actual practice cost, except for edge-of-field practices. The water quality initiative may support urban conservation work and may combine state and federal money; no more than 10% of its appropriation may pay administration and implementation costs. These appropriations cover July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; some unspent money remains available for the next fiscal year or until the project is completed.

The Iowa Finance Authority would direct water funding and run a revolving loan program for qualifying small and medium-sized cities. The provisions concern water and wastewater treatment assistance, a rural infrastructure bank, and a qualifying regional water authority. Cities with 11,000 or fewer residents could apply for water or wastewater infrastructure loans; loan interest could not exceed 1%. The authority may allocate up to $25 million for nutrient removal to a regional water authority that serves at least 600,000 people, is headquartered in the state’s most populous county, and has the specified public and government members. The possible regional nutrient-removal allocation applies during fiscal year 2026–2027, and those funds remain available through June 30, 2029. New loans under the existing financing program must stop after June 30, 2026.