By Andi Anderson
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has announced the return of the state's Crop Insurance Discount Program, which offers farmers and landowners a $5 per acre discount on spring crop insurance premiums for planting cover crops this fall.
The application period opens on Monday, December 2, 2024, and closes on Friday, January 24, 2025. Farmers can apply by visiting CleanWaterIowa.org or contacting their crop insurance agent for more details.
Secretary Naig highlighted the growing interest in cover crops and the benefits they offer to farmers and the environment. “Given the numerous benefits of cover crops, including improved water quality, enhanced soil health, forage for livestock, and various agronomic advantages, we continue to see increasing cover crop acres in Iowa,” said Naig.
The program has helped farmers save on insurance premiums while encouraging sustainable farming practices.
Now in its eighth year, the Crop Insurance Discount Program has enrolled nearly 2,000 farmers and over 1.2 million acres of cover crops.
The initiative has served as a model for similar programs adopted by other states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, as well as at the federal level.
To qualify, cover crop acres must not be enrolled in other state or federal cost-share programs, such as those offered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Farmers are encouraged to visit their local USDA Service Center to learn about additional funding options for conservation practices. Certain insurance policies, like Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, may not be eligible for the discount.
By participating in the Crop Insurance Discount Program, farmers can contribute to Iowa’s efforts to improve soil health, protect water quality, and enhance the sustainability of their operations.
This program represents a valuable opportunity for farmers to implement conservation practices while lowering their insurance costs.
Photo Crop: gettyimages-mvburling
Categories: Iowa, Crops