A new program launched by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) offers cost-share and financial incentives to producers and landowners who are new to using cover crops or who adopt new techniques for earlier establishment of cover crops.
Applications for I-COVER, IDOA’s Infield Conservation for Operationalizing Vital Ecosystem Resilience program, opens March 3. This program is funded by a $7 million USDA grant and is part of a multi-state initiative involving Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. It will run for three years for cover crops planted in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
“Research shows that cover crops improve soil health, reduce erosion, increase drought resistance and reduce pests, weeds and diseases,” said Jerry Costello II, Illinois director of agriculture. “Illinois is home to some of the most fertile soil in the world, and I encourage farmers to participate in this important new program to conserve and protect it.”
Pre-enrollment and applications will be available online starting Feb. 10. Visit the IDOA website agr.illinois.gov and select the I-COVER Program link on the home page. Applications can be submitted from March 3-14.
For each of the three years of the program, varying rates will be available to selected applications for these practices:
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$61.13 an acre for one or more cover crop species, winter killed
$85.65 an acre for single cover crop species, spring terminated
$105.40 an acre for one or more cover crop species, spring terminated
IDOA will select applications on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified and verified applicants. The first application from each county will be prioritized, followed by all remaining applications. IDOA will verify applications and respective acreage, and local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff will check selected applicants’ USDA farm bill eligibility, assist with conservation planning, verify practice implementation and help with payment and reporting documents.
Selected applicants will need to provide a copy of the CCC-902, FSA subsidiary report and producer farm data or proof of control of the land.
Acres must not be currently enrolled in other state, federal or private programs to implement cover crops and applicants must have control of the land for the life of the program.
Program viability is subject to availability of federal funds.
