As more and more farmers adopt cover crop practices, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is offering an increased incentive for both first-time and returning cover crop users through the Water Quality Initiative. Now, first-time users are eligible for a $30 cost share per acre, and returning users are eligible for $20 per acre. Cynthia Farmer, senior policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs, said they are proud to see programs like this one.
Farmer said the program also supports practices like reduced tillage in addition to cover crops.
Farmer noted that the acres enrolled in this program can’t also be covered by other NRCS programs- the design is to encourage the enrollment of even more acres into conservation practices.
Farmer added that farmers can visit their local Soil and Water Conservation District office to apply.
A list of those offices can be found at costshare.iowaagriculture.gov/districts.
