Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
This issue's featured farmers are Bill Frederick and James Holz of Iowa Cover Crop. Iowa Cover Crop and their dealer network started selling cover crop seed and seeding services more than seven years ago from their home base in Jefferson. Today, they are one of many cover crop seed dealers and custom seeding operations across the state who can get your cover crop services completed this fall.

From farmer-owned businesses, to large regional wholesalers, to pilots and more find a business that can take care of your cover crop services all in one spot on PFI's new online cover crop business directory. It's time to get your cover crop seed lined up and your fall plan in place before harvest happens.

"A key part of cover crop success is communicating early and often with your seed dealer and applicator," Bill says, "let's not make these decisions at the end of September."
COVER CROP POLL
What is your NUMBER ONE reason for planting cover crops?
Weed control
Livestock forage
Reduced soil erosion
Increase organic matter
Improve water quality
Previous poll results:
Do you graze or harvest cover crops for forage?
  • Yes - all grazing livestock - 36%
  • Yes - all silage or hay harvest - 9%
  • Yes - some grazed/some silage and/or hay - 27%
  • No - but interested in adding grazing livestock - 14%
  • No - but interested in harvesting for forage - 14%
PROGRAM UPDATE
New this year is the "40 x 40" program, through which farmers brand-new to cover crops can earn $40 per acre on up to 40 acres of cover-cropped ground. This program will pay for your cover crop expenses and surround yourself with farmer experts to succeed with cover crops this fall. 

Know a neighbor who is on the fence and wants to give cover crops a try? Sign them up for PFI's "40 x 40" program!
IN THE FIELD
Our cover crop directory is a great resource for locating cover crop seed suppliers and seeding services in your area. Now our cover crop directory is all online, with fully searchable and sortable tables for each service.

We will be updating it constantly to include the most up-to-date list of businesses that sell cover crop seed, provide cover crop seeding services, custom cover crop spraying and seed cleaning.

To get your business listed in the cover crop business directory e-mail jason@practicalfarmers.org with your business name, services offered, location and phone number.
When cover crop seed prices get high, it may seem like a good time to get into the cover crop business.

As with any new enterprise, there are regulations to consider before taking the plunge. To guide us through these requirements, we invited Robin Pruisner from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Doan Schmitz from the Iowa Crop Improvement Association on a shared learning call last September.
Cover crop seeding is right around the corner and now is the time to think about what, how and when you're planting cover crops this fall. Use this cover crop planting guide to help you decide your species and seeding rate.
Cover crop planting season is coming for the northern Cornbelt! Many farmers are gearing up to aerial seed cover crops but how can we make sure we have green fields in the fall during harvest?
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Cover crop meet-up and discussion in Conrad, IA
Attend long-time cover-cropper Kevin Holl's meet-up at his farm in Conrad on Monday, July 29 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Chat about cover crops and learn more about cost share opportunities. Pizza and drinks will be provided, but bring a lawn chair!

Kevin Holl's shed located at:   2804 120th St Conrad, IA 50621 .
Host a cover crop meet-up of your own!
PFI brings the food and you bring 15 neighbors to talk cover crops and learn more about the cost share programs either over an early morning breakfast or an evening get-together. Respond to this email if you're interested!
Come learn more about cover crops during these specific field days!
Head to our website for more details and directions for these events and more.
Host: Adam Nechanicky
August 6 | 2 - 7 p.m. | Buckingham

Host: Greg Rebman
August 22 | 1 - 4 p.m. | Frederick, IL
CONTACT OUR COVER CROPS TEAM
Alisha Bower
Strategic Initiatives Manager
(515) 232-5661
Sarah Carlson
Strategic Initiatives Director
(515) 232-5661
Chris Wilbeck
Independent Contractor
(515) 232-5661
Rebecca Clay
Strategic Initiatives Assistant
(515) 232-5661