Cost-share
Iowa Cover Crop Cost-Share Program
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)
What you can get
$30/acre for first-time cover crop users or $20/acre for returning users, up to 160 acres per participant. • Additional assistance for first-time users: $10/acre for transition to no-till or strip-till and $3/acre for nitrogen inhibitor with fall fertilizer, each limited to 160 acres. The separate Greater Des Moines Watershed program offers $25/acre on up to 500 acres; combined eligible coverage may reach 660 acres, subject to each program's requirements.
- Readiness
- Local office first
- Who can apply
- producer
- Coverage
- IA
- Deadline & timing
- Applications are open through county Soil and Water Conservation District offices and the state portal while limited funding remains.
Optional expert service · $249
Turn program research into an application package.
An eligibility screen for one farm, a shortlist of up to three relevant programs, and draft practice justifications and a document checklist for one selected application. Delivered within 7 business days after intake.
Last verified Oct 3, 2026. Always confirm current terms and deadlines on the official site before applying.
Plan your next step
Run a quick soil assessment or ask an agronomist how this program fits your fields.