State officials are encouraging farmers across the state to plant cover crops with the crop insurance discount program, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

According to the release, farmers who plant cover crops in the fall will be eligible for a $5 per acre discount on crop insurance premiums next year. 

Farmers who plant cover crops will be able to sign up for the program between December first and January 23, those interested in the program can learn more at cleanwateriowa.com.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, cover crops benefit farms through erosion prevention, which improves soil health and water retention while trapping excess nitrogen and preventing it from contaminating both groundwater and surface runoff.