Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig are encouraging farmers to plant fall cover crops this season to boost soil health, improve water quality, and save money on next year’s crop insurance premiums. The Crop Insurance Discount Program is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency and offers a five-dollar-per-acre premium discount for farmers who plant fall cover crops. There is no limit to the number of acres that qualify, provided they are not already enrolled in other cost-share programs. Reynolds praised the voluntary effort, calling it an innovative way to promote conservation and reward responsible farming. The sign-up period opens Dec. 1, and runs through Jan. 23, 2026. Farmers can learn more or preregister at CleanWaterIowa.org. To date, nearly 2,000 Iowa farmers have enrolled more than 1.4 million acres into the program.
