Cover cropped field in Iowa

(Photo: Iowa Soybean Association / Evan Brehm)

Apply today for the Cover Crop Business Accelerator

January 30, 2025 | Kriss Nelson

Since 2020, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and the Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) have teamed up to offer the Cover Crop Business Accelerator program to help new and existing businesses across the Midwest.

This program uses business coaching, technical help and financial support to help cover crop seed and application businesses grow cover crop use.

“The Cover Crop Business Accelerator assists those interested in selling cover crops by providing additional income and business expansion opportunities, thus increasing cover crop adoption,” says ISA Research Agronomist Matt Swanson.

Swanson’s involvement includes offering technical support to program participants, facilitating field days and establishing connections between farmers and cover crop incentive opportunities.

Benefits of the Cover Crop Business Accelerator

Participants in the program receive:

  • Business growth consulting
  • Capital investment funds include equipment or business expenses of 10% of the cost, up to $5,000

Incentive payments include:

  • Custom-seeding of $3/acre, guaranteed up to $5,000
  • Seed production  of $20/acre, guaranteed up to $2,000

Funding

Builders Initiative and the Walmart Foundation make this project’s funding possible.

Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. By focusing on the business’s unique strengths, Walmart.org tackles key social and environmental issues and collaborates with others to spark long-lasting systemic change.

Builders Initiative is the philanthropic team at Builders Vision, an impact platform that aims to shift markets and minds for good to pursue its vision for a humane and healthy planet. The organization works to help address some of the most difficult environmental and sustainability challenges across three interconnected sectors: oceans, food & agriculture, and energy.

The deadline for applications is February 14th; they are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in the Cover Crop Business Accelerator, the application can be found here.

For more information contact Swanson at mswanson@iasoybeans.com or 515-371-6189.


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