Special to the Times Vedette
For the fourth consecutive year, Iowa Cover Crop is offering free cover crop seed to Iowa FFA Chapters through its “The Future is Covered” program. Launched in 2021, this initiative aims to give Iowa students practical, hands-on experience with cover crops. As the program enters its final weeks, Iowa Cover Crop encourages any remaining FFA chapters to take advantage of this opportunity to receive up to 10 acres of cereal rye or oat cover crop seed at no cost.
Over the past few weeks, FFA chapters across Iowa have already signed up to participate in this year’s program, but there’s still time left for those who haven’t.
“We know that the school year is busy, but we don’t want anyone to miss out on this opportunity,” Megan Holz, General Manager of Iowa Cover Crop, says. “Whether you’re a seasoned participant or trying cover crops for the first time, our program aims to make it easy and cost-effective for students to gain experience with the practice.”
FFA advisors can still enroll their chapters in “The Future is Covered” program by using the online form, https://forms.gle/AZiexCN4i6gTdHR49. The deadline to register is Oct. 20. Chapters can choose between cereal rye, oats, or a combination of both, for classroom demonstrations, plots, or for use in supervised agricultural experiences.
Since 2021, Iowa Cover Crop has donated more than 750 acres worth of cover crops to FFA chapters across Iowa.
“It has been exciting to see the enthusiasm for cover crops from both the students and advisors,” James Holz, Co-Owner of Iowa Cover Crop, says. “Cover crops provide benefits like reduced erosion, improved soil health, weed suppression, and increased water retention — lessons we want the next generation of agricultural professionals to experience firsthand.”
Since 2014, cover crop usage in Iowa has expanded from around 400,000 acres to nearly 3.8 million acres in 2022. Through “The Future is Covered” program, Iowa Cover Crop is dedicated to continuing this growth. By reducing nutrient runoff and preserving Iowa soils, cover crops play a vital role in ensuring Iowa farmland remains fertile and sustainable for today’s students. Engaging the next generation with this hands-on experience ensures they have the skills and knowledge to carry this momentum forward.