The 2018 sign up period is now open in Iowa for water quality practices cost share funding. Iowa State Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says it’s their sixth round of the program which helps farmers install nutrient reduction management practices on their operations.

He says farmers who are planting cover crops for the first time get the highest cost share and the funding will be handed out in July.

Naig encourages growers to apply for the cost share as soon as possible.

Naig says farmers are only eligible for cost share on up to 160 acres.