Overview
The Livestock Water Quality Program (LWQ) offers low interest loans through participating lenders to Iowa livestock producers for projects to prevent, minimize or eliminate non-point source pollution of Iowa’s rivers and streams from animal feeding operations.

Eligible Projects

• Development of manure management plans
• Lagoons
• Manure management structures
• Roofed manure storage structures
• Vegetative filters
• Assistance is limited to existing facilities for animal feeding operations with less than 1,000 total animal unit capacity (AUC).

• Prior to receiving a loan, the landowner must receive project approval from the local Soil & Water Conservation District.
• Lender originates loans of $10,000 and above with a maximum term of 15 years, depending on the useful life of the project.
• The interest rate charged the borrower will not exceed 3%.
• IFA will deposit funds equal to the principal amount of the loan at 0% interest.
• The deposit does not guarantee the loan nor is it collateral for the loan. The deposit is only to reduce the interest rate charged to the borrower.
• Annually, IFA will withdraw from the deposit account an amount equal to the principal repayment of the outstanding loan. As a result, the amount in the deposit account will equal the principal outstanding on the loan.
• All costs directly related to the design, permitting, construction and financing of the water pollution control facilities are eligible. Costs for development of a manure management plan, nutrient management plan or comprehensive nutrient management plan are also eligible.

1. The borrower works with the local Soil & Water Conservation District on the project. For more information on project eligibility or approval, contact Derek Namanny at derek.namanny@iowaagriculture.gov, or visit the Iowa Department of Agriculture's web site.  

1. The borrower will work with a participating lender to complete the lender’s loan application process. IFA accepts new participating lenders on an ongoing basis, more information for lenders is available here.
2. When the loan is approved by the lender, the lender completes the online application.