The Water Quality Initiative has limited funds available to help farmers install nutrient reduction practices.

The funds are for cover crops, no-till/strip till, or using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fertilizer. Cover crops increase soil organic matter, improve soil health and quality, reduce erosion, reduce nitrate leaching, and suppress seasonal weeds. Contact the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District to apply for funding. The cost share for first-time users of cover crops is $25 per acre, no-till/strip till is $10 per acre, and farmers using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fall fertilizer can receive $3 per acre. Priority is given to farmers using these practices for the first time. Acres are limited to 160 per producer. Those who have planted cover crops in the past are eligible for $15 per acre.