Farmers in the Greater Des Moines Watershed nearly tripled the number of cover crop acres in state-cost share programs this fall. During a press conference at this year’s Farm Progress Show, Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig announced the initial results of the Greater Des Moines Watershed Program. Naig said the program was designed to encourage farmers and landowners in the 22-county area to plant more cover crops and improve water quality in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.
Over the course of this year, Naig said there has been a record number of cover crop cost-share applications.
Naig said the initial goal was to double the amount of cover crop cost-share acres in the area, but they were actually able to triple it.
Additionally, Naig said statewide cover crop cost-share enrollment has exceeded one million acres for the first time.
Naig said that number can continue to grow, as farmers and landowners can continue signing up for cover crop cost-share through their local USDA Service Center until 4:30 p.m./CT on Wednesday, September 9.
For more information, visit cleanwateriowa.org.
