Farmers who planted cover crops this fall can now apply for reduced crop insurance premiums through a state program that offers $5 off per acre.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) opened enrollment Dec. 1 for its Crop Insurance Discount Program, which will accept applications through Jan. 23, 2026. The program applies the discount to 2026 crop insurance premiums.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig emphasized the program’s dual benefits for farm operations and environmental stewardship, noting that cover crops remain financially viable even amid economic pressures.
“It’s a simple way for farmers to keep building momentum with cover crops while saving money,” he said, in a press release.
Farmers can enroll online at apply.cleanwateriowa.org or through their crop insurance agents. The program, now in its ninth year, has no limit on eligible acreage.
To qualify, cover crop acres cannot be enrolled in other IDALS or USDA-NRCS cost-share programs. Some insurance policies, including Whole-Farm Revenue Protection or those covered through written agreements, are not eligible for the discount.
The initiative, operated jointly with the USDA Risk Management Agency, supports implementation of Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Since its launch, approximately 2,000 farmers have participated, enrolling more than 1.4 million acres.
Farmers should coordinate with their crop insurance agencies to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements, the release stated.
