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USDA SUBSIDY DATA · 2024 · EWG / FOIA

USDA Subsidy Payments in Black Hawk County, Iowa

Black Hawk County received $26.1M in farm subsidies (2024).

Black Hawk County at a Glance
Agricultural Producers
N/A
Top Commodities
N/A
USDA Payments
$26.1M
Subsidy Recipients
824
Land Value?
N/A
Cropland Rent?
N/A
22 USDA programs currently accepting applications. Find programs for your farm →
824 farmers in Black Hawk County received $26.1M in 2024
Average payment: $31,692 per recipient
Program Breakdown — Black Hawk County

Black Hawk County, Iowa received $26.1M in total farm subsidies (2024).

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) $4.4M
Disaster Payments $550,827
Crop Insurance Subsidies $10.6M
Dairy Programs $12,020
Total $26.1M
Top Recipients — Black Hawk County (824 total)

Businesses shown by full name; individuals shown by initials (FOIA/EWG data).

1. J.K.H. — La Porte City, IA 50651
$55,462
2. Karen A Rottinghaus Revocable Trust — La Porte City, IA 50651
$46,948
3. Barbara Hershberger-hershberger Revocable Trust — Jesup, IA 50648
$46,277
4. Slr Farms LLC — Waterloo, IA 50701
$45,486
5. T.D.Y. — Waterloo, IA 50701
$45,483
6. Iprcw, LLC — Waterloo, IA 50701
$44,710
7. Was3gk LLC — Fairbank, IA 50629
$41,423
8. Wapsie River Rats LLC — Fairbank, IA 50629
$40,374
9. Tall Pine Farms Inc — Dunkerton, IA 50626
$39,956
10. Girsch Farms Corp — Gilbertville, IA 50634
$39,268
11. J.F. — Dunkerton, IA 50626
$37,982
12. E.W. — Mount Auburn, IA 52313
$37,669
13. V.J.M. — Waterloo, IA 50701
$37,424
14. Rick Kayser, LLC — Jesup, IA 50648
$36,371
15. V.F. — Waterloo, IA 50701
$36,241
16. J.D.M. — Fairbank, IA 50629
$36,215
17. R.Y. — Independence, IA 50644
$36,034
18. W.L.O. — Kodiak, AK 99615
$35,557
19. R.J.P. — Cedar Falls, IA 50613
$32,834
20. M.J.P. — Cedar Falls, IA 50613
$32,834
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How to Apply — Open Programs

These USDA programs are currently accepting applications. Visit your local NRCS/FSA office to get started.

ARC-CO (Agriculture Risk Coverage — County) FSA

Provides revenue loss protection when actual county crop revenue drops below a benchmark. Payment is automatic once enrolled — no claim needed.

Value: $8–$75/acre depending on crop and county revenue shortfall
Complexity: Low — sign election at FSA, 15 minutes
Where: Your local FSA office
Bring:
  • Photo ID
  • FSA farm number (FSA will have it on file)
PLC (Price Loss Coverage) FSA

Provides price protection when the national average price for a covered commodity drops below its reference price. Pays on base acres, not planted acres.

Value: $0–$125+/acre depending on how far price drops below reference
Complexity: Low — sign election at FSA, 15 minutes
Where: Your local FSA office
Bring:
  • Photo ID
  • FSA farm number
CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) FSA

Annual rental payments for removing environmentally sensitive land from production and planting conservation cover (grass, trees, buffers). 10-15 year contracts.

Value: $50–$300+/acre/year depending on soil rental rate in your county
Complexity: Medium — FSA evaluates your offer using Environmental Benefits Index
Where: Your local FSA office
Bring:
  • Photo ID
  • FSA farm number
  • Deed or lease for the land
  • Cropping history (last 6 years)
EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) NRCS

Cost-share payments (typically 50-75%) for conservation practices: cover crops, fencing, water systems, nutrient management, erosion control, and more.

Value: Cost-share typically 50-75% of practice cost (90% for beginning farmers). Payment limits removed for FY2025.
Complexity: Low to apply (2-page form), then NRCS develops conservation plan with you
Where: Your local NRCS office
Bring:
  • Photo ID
  • Deed or lease
  • Description of conservation concerns
CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program) NRCS

Annual payments for maintaining and improving existing conservation practices. If you're already doing cover crops, no-till, or rotational grazing — you may already qualify.

Value: $4,000–$40,000+/year depending on acres and practices (minimum raised from $1,500 to $4,000 in FY2024)
Complexity: Medium — NRCS evaluates your existing conservation and scores it
Where: Your local NRCS office
Bring:
  • Photo ID
  • Deed or lease
  • Description of current conservation practices
Federal Crop Insurance RMA

Government-subsidized crop insurance. The government pays ~60% of your premium. Protects against yield loss, revenue loss, or both.

Value: Premium subsidy saves $5–$30+/acre; coverage at 50-85% of expected revenue
Complexity: Low-Medium — agent handles paperwork, you choose coverage level
Where: Through a private crop insurance agent (not FSA/NRCS)
Bring:
  • Production records (yield history)
  • Acreage information
  • FSA farm/tract numbers
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Farmer Success Stories — Iowa

Real farmers in Iowa share how USDA programs helped their operations.

NRCS · Jun 06, 2025
Fridays on the Farm: Improving Energy Efficiency in Iowa
More Success Stories →
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USDA Funding Rank — Black Hawk County, Iowa ?
824 subsidy recipients were funded in Black Hawk County in 2024.
59th
percentile in Iowa
Ranked 42nd of 99 counties · $4.9M total
0th 50th 100th
What this means: Black Hawk County receives more USDA funding than 59% of counties in Iowa. This county receives a moderate level of federal farm support.

Want the full list of every subsidy recipient in Black Hawk County?

See All Recipients on EWG →

Environmental Working Group publishes full USDA FOIA data.

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Data Sources

All data is from public federal sources. Updated periodically — verify current details at your local USDA office.

Program information sourced from USDA. Eligibility described here is general guidance only. Confirm at your local FSA or NRCS office. FarmGrant is not affiliated with USDA.