Payment program
Cooperators' Program On-Farm Research Trial Stipends
Practical Farmers of Iowa
What you can get
Per-trial stipend on completion: $1,000 for the corn nitrogen rate reduction strip trial; $500 for the cover crops and field work days monitoring trial • 'Farmers participating in research trials receive a stipend.' Nitrogen trial: replicated strip trial (~16 acres, 8 strips of 2 acres) comparing a standard N rate with a reduced rate of the farmer's choice; requires 'at least five years of soil health practices such as cover crops, diverse rotations, reduced tillage, integrated grazing or compost use.' Cover crop/field work days trial: field with cover cropping history, historical data since 2016, weekly surveys April-November; 'You will be paid $500 after completing all responsibilities.' PFI membership starts at $25.
- Readiness
- Ready to apply
- Who can apply
- producer, PFI member farmers running on farm research trials (nitrogen trial: corn farmers in IL, IA, MN, MO, NE, WI with 5+ years of soil health practices)
- Coverage
- IA, IL, MN, MO, NE, WI
- Deadline & timing
- Sign-up via Airtable forms on the official page; no deadline stated.
- Eligibility
- Eligible applicants: producer, PFI member farmers running on-farm research trials (nitrogen trial: corn farmers in IL, IA, MN, MO, NE, WI with 5+ years of soil health practices).
Optional expert service · $249
Turn program research into an application package.
An eligibility screen for one farm, a shortlist of up to three relevant programs, and draft practice justifications and a document checklist for one selected application. Delivered within 7 business days after intake.
Last verified Nov 5, 2026. Always confirm current terms and deadlines on the official site before applying.
Plan your next step
Run a quick soil assessment or ask an agronomist how this program fits your fields.