Iowa’s Ag Secretary says more farmers are choosing to plant cover crops to help improve soil conditions and water quality.
Mike Naig tells Brownfield the state recently launched an enhanced cover crop cost share program for the Greater Des Moines Watershed.
“Raising the cap on the number of acres that folks can enroll in the program,” he said. “It is that time of year where regardless if you’re in that watershed or farming across the state, now is the time to get into your county conservation office and have a conversation about cost share for cover crops.”
He says sign up for the annual cover crop cost share program is currently open for farmers and landowners who intend to seed cover crops this fall.
As part of the program, farmers planting cover crops for the first time are eligible for $30 per acre. Farmers who have previously planted cover crops are eligible for $20 per acre. Cost-share funding through the statewide program is limited to 160 acres per participant.
“Really intensely focusing on putting conservation practices on the ground to prevent pollutants from ever making it into streams to begin with,” Naig said.
Naig says the state has been active in water quality efforts, including a measure that recently passed out of the State Legislature – called the “Farm to Faucet” package– that realigns existing resources without raising taxes
“Driving home the importance of investing in water treatment,” he said. “That’s in places like Des Moines, but also in small communities across the state to actually make sure you can provide that safe drinking water.”
Naig says concerned residents don’t want excuses when it comes to water quality, they want action.
