Iowa Cover Crop wins team award for statewide network of cover crop advocates
By Rebekah Jones
JEFFERSON, IA (IAWA) — Iowa Cover Crop (ICC), a Jefferson-based conservation business co-owned by Bill and Melissa Frederick and James and Megan Holz, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Iowa Watershed Team Impact Award. They will be recognized at the Iowa Water Conference in Ankeny on Sept 9 at 10 am.
The Team Impact Award recognizes extraordinary teamwork and commitment water quality – something that matters greatly to Iowa Cover Crop. They have 20+ dealers working for them statewide, and each dealer is delivering cover crops that keep soil and nutrients out of local waterways.
“We strive to have a good culture within our company,” said James Holz. “So to be recognized for something like this, it’s really important.”
Their statewide team of dealers sold over 16 million pounds of seed last year. It’s hard to perfectly equate that to acres, but it’s somewhere in the ballpark of over a quarter million acres.
Iowa Cover Crop’s story begins much smaller, though. At one time, they were just two family farms seeing the benefits of cover crops on their own operations for soil health, livestock grazing, and water quality. They have personally seeded over 20 different species of cover crops on their own farms.
“Cover crops improve water quality by sequestering nutrients and helping hold the soil in place,” said co-owner, Melissa Frederick, noting the importance of water quality. “That’s why this work matters.”
Their passion and values drive them. Growth has naturally followed. If you visit the warehouse in Jefferson on any given day, you might find trucks pulling in and out with loads of seed, young high schoolers and graduates filling bags of seed, and the family’s young kids scootering around the back of the building.
The success hasn’t come without challenge, though.
“Even when the derecho blew through and destroyed most of their on-farm equipment, ICC stayed dedicated to providing top tier service to their customer base. That perseverance has paid off as now they are the biggest and most trusted cover crop company in the state of Iowa,” said Ben Porrepp, who nominated them.
In addition to their business impact, ICC has invested in the next generation of conservation leaders through “children in conservation days,” FFA test plots, and hands-on school partnerships. By making conservation approachable and practical, they are ensuring that Iowa’s soil and water will be protected for generations to come.
About the Iowa Watershed Awards
The Iowa Watershed Awards celebrate individuals and organizations making significant contributions to water quality and conservation in the state. The Impact Award recognizes measurable results, collaboration, and innovation that improve Iowa’s watersheds. You can read about past winners here.