Iowa’s farmers are encouraged to sign-up for the state’s Cover Crop Cost-Share Program. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced this week that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is again offering cost-share incentives for cover crop usage. 

The program works to improve water quality, conservation, and soil quality. First time participants are eligible for $30 per acre. And farmers who are returning participants are eligible to receive $20 per acre. There is a limit of 160 acres per participant. In addition, farmers transitioning acres to no-till or strip-till can receive $10 per acre while those using a nitrogen inhibitor when applying fall fertilizer can receive $3 per acre. 

Last year, Iowa had over 3,500 farmers take part with nearly 390,000 cover crop acres in the program. 

The annual program is open now for farmers to enroll acres that will be seeded in the fall. It is available to first-time users and returning participants. Applications can be submitted through county soil and water conservation offices.