By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Rural Improvement Zone (RIZ) has continued its cover crop reimbursement program for the 2024-25 fall season. Cover crops help stop erosion, along with excess nutrients that are fed into the watershed. Producers growing cover crops in the Lake Panorama Watershed are reimbursed up to $15 per acre. Already this fall, RIZ has 500 more acres submitted than last year’s total.
Anyone who farms inside the Lake Panorama Watershed is encouraged to contact Lane Rumelhart at lrumelhart@lakepanorama.org for more information. Applications are due by November 30.
RIZ is only allowed to reimburse for crops planted inside the watershed. The Lake Panorama watershed extends mostly north and west from the lake and covers roughly 1/6 of Guthrie County. A minimum of 25 continuous acres is required. Acres that are part of other cost share programs (NRCS, IDALS) are still eligible.