Across Iowa and the Midwest, a growing number of landowners and tenants are turning to regenerative agriculture, a set of practices that restore soil health, improve water retention, and build long-term resilience.
For absentee farmland owners, understanding and supporting this transition can protect land value while aligning with future-focused agricultural trends.
Shifting from conventional systems to regenerative ones doesn’t happen overnight, but with clear goals, collaboration, and the right incentives, the change can be both practical and profitable.
What Is Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture refers to farming practices designed to rebuild soil organic matter and biodiversity rather than simply maintaining current productivity.
The most common methods include:
- Cover cropping to prevent erosion and boost soil structure
- Reduced or no-till farming to minimize soil disturbance
- Diverse crop rotations to interrupt pest cycles and improve fertility
- Buffer strips and contour farming to improve water quality
Why Regenerative Transitions Are Rising
Several trends are accelerating interest in regenerative systems:
- Market demand: Food companies and grain buyers increasingly reward sustainability metrics.
- Climate pressures: Droughts and extreme rainfall events have made soil conservation a higher priority for both tenants and owners.
- Public programs: USDA initiatives, such as the EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program), are funding cover crop and conservation projects at record levels.
- Land stewardship goals: Many landowners, especially those no longer actively farming, want their property to remain productive for generations.
For absentee owners, understanding these forces can help guide lease terms and management decisions that align profitability with stewardship.
Step 1: Assess the Starting Point
Every regenerative plan starts with a clear baseline assessment. Owners and managers should review:
- Soil test data: Organic matter, pH, nutrient levels, and compaction
- Erosion risks: Slope, drainage, and previous tillage intensity
- Current cropping system: How rotations, tillage, and fertilizer use compare to conservation goals
Stalcup Ag Service often uses this information to create long-term management plans that identify which practices are feasible based on field conditions and tenant capacity.
Step 2: Build Collaboration Into the Lease
Because most Iowa farmland is tenant-operated, regenerative change depends on cooperation. The lease is a key tool for encouraging this alignment.
A flexible or incentive-based lease can include:
- Cost-sharing or rent adjustments for adopting cover crops or no-till
- Shared data reporting (yield maps, soil health indicators)
- Multi-year terms to give tenants time to recoup investment in new practices
Shared conservation agreements foster transparency and can reduce conflict later by clarifying expectations upfront.
Step 3: Start Small, Scale Gradually
A phased transition helps balance learning curves and financial stability. For example:
- Year 1: Introduce cover crops on a small acreage or after corn harvest
- Year 2–3: Expand cover crops and reduce tillage intensity
- Year 4–5: Adjust rotations, integrate perennials, or explore livestock grazing
This approach allows tenants and managers to track performance and adapt without jeopardizing yields. Studies by the Soil Health Institute and NRCS show that regenerative systems typically take 3-5 years to stabilize yields while improving soil structure and nutrient retention.
Step 4: Leverage Incentives and Technical Support
Federal, state, and local programs provide financial and technical help for landowners interested in regenerative practices:
- NRCS EQIP and CSP programs support cover crops, nutrient management, and buffer strips.
- Local watershed and soil conservation districts offer cost-share funds and planning assistance.
Farm managers can coordinate applications, monitor compliance, and ensure documentation aligns with program requirements, something especially valuable for absentee owners managing from afar.
Step 5: Track Results and Communicate Progress
Once regenerative practices are underway, tracking data builds confidence and accountability. Key indicators to monitor include:
- Soil organic matter and infiltration rates
- Input costs per acre
- Yield stability or improvement trends
- Erosion control and water quality measures
Regular reporting, quarterly or annually, translates these outcomes into numbers absentee owners can evaluate. When managed through a service like Stalcup Ag Service, these reports are paired with expert insights that help owners see how practices are performing over time.
Partnering With a Farm Manager During the Transition
Transitioning to regenerative farming involves agronomic, financial, and operational decisions that benefit from professional oversight. A farm management company acts as the bridge between landowners, tenants, and conservation partners, helping design leases that balance stewardship with profitability.
At Stalcup Ag Service, managers help landowners:
- Identify regenerative opportunities suitable for each field
- Connect with cost-share and technical assistance programs
- Evaluate tenant proposals and performance data
- Monitor and document improvements for both financial and conservation outcomes
For absentee owners, this level of on-the-ground coordination ensures that regenerative transitions are realistic, monitored, and aligned with long-term goals.
Moving Toward Long-Term Resilience
Regenerative agriculture is a long-term investment in the productivity and health of your farmland. While the transition takes time and coordination, the rewards include stronger soils, reduced risk, and a legacy of sustainable management.
By taking a measured, collaborative approach and working with experienced farm managers and tenants, absentee landowners can ensure their land remains both profitable and productive for generations to come.
Contact Stalcup Ag Today
To learn more about transitioning to regenerative agriculture practices, contact us at 712-732-4811 or complete our online contact form.