Cover Crop Business Accelerator Helps Increase Cover Crop Acres in Iowa

Clean Water in Iowa Starts Here tour highlights Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa Soybean Association Cover Crop Business Accelerator Program

DES MOINES, Iowa (June 2, 2021) – Practical Farmers of Iowa joined the Clean Water in Iowa Starts Here tour today to discuss the Cover Crop Business Accelerator Program, an initiative designed to expand cover crop acres planted in the state.

“Cover crops are an important part of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “Programs like the Cover Crop Business Accelerator are helping to build the business and infrastructure we need to continue to expand cover crop acres across the state.”

The Cover Crop Business Accelerator Program, developed by the Practical Farmers of Iowa and Iowa Soybean Association, was established in 2020 with 10 participating farmer-owned, cover crop-related businesses. Each farmer business owner received guidance from a contractor to establish or update his or her business and marketing plan and provide educational support for farmers using cover crops.

The project compensated producers with a per-acre financial incentive and additional equipment purchases related to cover crop production funded by the Walton Family Foundation. During the first year of the program, these businesses helped farmers and landowners seed 8,307 acres of cover crops and cover crop seed production increased by 1,918 acres. The program has expanded to include an additional 10 businesses in 2021.

“Cover crops are not just good business for water quality but offer a huge opportunity for farmers to expand their family’s farm business by adding a custom cover crop business. To reach the goals of the nutrient reduction strategy of 13 million acres of cover crops or every other acre of corn-soybean ground in Iowa, we will need nearly 2,000 cover crop businesses,” said Carlson.

The Cover Crop Business Accelerator Program aims to increase the number of cover crops planted in Iowa each year. Funding for the project is provided by the Walton Family Foundation.

For more information about how to expand or start a cover crop business, farmers should contact Heath Ellison, Iowa Soybean Association Sr. Field Services Program Manager, at (515) 334-1045 or hellison@iasoybeans.com. Farmers who are interested in planting cover crops can contact Sarah Carlson at sarah@practicalfarmers.org or visit cleanwateriowa.org for help getting started this fall.

About the Clean Water in Iowa Starts Here Campaign

The campaign, created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Soybean Association and Newsradio 1040 WHO aims to raise awareness about the conservation work underway all across Iowa. It also highlights opportunities for both rural and urban residents to use soil health and water quality best practices and play an active role in conservation projects happening in their communities.

During the Clean Water in Iowa Starts Here campaign, The Big Show will visit locations throughout the state showcasing the people and practices that are having a positive and measurable impact on water quality. The conversations with farmers, landowners, agribusinesses and community leaders will be broadcast on Wednesdays during The Big Show airing from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on WHO and 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. on WMT.

The Clean Water in Iowa Starts Here campaign is a collaborative effort between a dozen public and private partners, including Agri-Drain, Hagie Manufacturing, Hands on Excavating, Heartland Co-op, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Montag Manufacturing, Practical Farmers of Iowa, The Nature Conservancy and TruTerra. 

The Clean Water in Iowa Starts Here campaign began in August 2020 and highlighted 16 conservation projects throughout the harvest season. For more information about the campaign, upcoming stops, and rural and urban soil health and water quality practices, visit CleanWaterIowa.org/CleanWaterStartsHere. For assistance implementing conservation practices or to get involved in a community-based project, visit a nearby USDA Service Center or Soil and Water Conservation District office.