Maquoketa Watershed Continuing Cover Crop Cost Share

The Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority (WMA) is continuing its Maquoketa River Cover Crop Initiative (MRCCI) for the Fall 2025 planting season. This program offers a $30/acre cost share to eligible farmers for planting cover crops, with funding available for up to 200 acres per applicant.

To qualify, applicants must either meet the USDA’s Historically Underserved guidelines or be women landowners. The USDA defines “Historically Underserved” farmers as those who are:

In addition, the farmland must be located within the HUC 8 Maquoketa River Watershed, which spans nine counties across Iowa.

The program is funded through a $250,000 subaward from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) as part of the EPA Gulf Division’s Farmer to Farmer Grant Program. Iowa was selected as one of four primary partners in 2022 and received $3 million, of which 97% is being distributed through competitive subawards like this one. The MRCCI program, originally launched in 2024, has already supported over 1,100 acres of cover crop planting.

Farmers may also stack this cost share with private programs, such as those offered by Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI), for a combined reimbursement of up to $45/acre. However, it cannot be combined with state or federal cost shares such as EQIP or WQI due to funding source restrictions.

The 2025 application window opens June 1 and closes October 1, 2025. Farmers are encouraged to apply early, as the program is limited to 200 acres/each.

For full eligibility guidelines, application materials, and watershed maps, visit www.maquoketariverwma.org or call 319-826-1132.