The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is offering Iowa farmers and landowners an opportunity to plant cover crops with government reimbursement. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says that under the annual cost-share program, the state will pay $30 per acre for first-time cover crop planters and $20 per acre for returning participants. The program covers up to 160 acres per farmer. The program is available statewide in all 99 Iowa counties, with sign-ups now open. Farmers can apply through their local United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. An important distinction in this year’s renewal of the annual program is that farmers in the 22-county Greater Des Moines Watershed can receive an additional $25 per acre for up to 500 acres, for a total of 660 potential acres. Counties in the listening area that are eligible for the increased incentive include Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Greene, and Guthrie. This latest program is part of an ongoing effort to address Iowa’s water quality challenges. Data shows that cover crops can help keep soil and fertilizer from washing into the rivers that supply Iowa’s drinking water. Those interested can go to cleanwateriowa.org/cropinsurancediscount. A link is also included with this story on our website.
