Application Period Opens Dec. 15 For 2023 Cover Crop Program

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will open the fourth year of the Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program on December 15. Applications will be available at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Pages/default.aspx beginning at 8am. Funding of eligible acreage will be on a first come, first serve basis.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

IDOA received funding from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to add 40,000 acres to the program for a total of 140,000 acres available for the 2023 growing season. In 2022, the 100,000-acreage allotment was met in under 24 hours and a total of over 131,000 acres were requested by the time the application period ended.

Article continues after sponsor message

The program is applicable for acreage in Illinois planted to cover crops in the fall of 2022 that will be planted to an insurable crop in 2023. Eligible applicants receive a premium discount of $5 per acre on the following year’s crop insurance for every acre of cover crop enrolled and verified in the program.

Applicants will be required to certify that their cover crops are approved through their local Farm Service Agency office before applying. Applicants will also need their current FSA-578 and federal crop insurance policy number(s) for the 2023 application process.

The discount program was designed to promote additional acres of cover crops that are not covered by other state or federal incentives. IDOA will use a combination of tools to verify that acres applied for through this program are planted in cover crops. The program is only applicable for those with coverage through the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (USDA-RMA) crop insurance program. Confirmed applications will be forwarded to the USDA-RMA for processing and for application of premium discounts to 2023 crop insurance invoices.

Applications will be available until January 15, 2023 on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. Further information can be obtained by contacting the IDOA at (217) 782-6297.

More like this:

Dec 1, 2023 - IDOA "Fall Covers For Spring Savings" Crop Incentive Program Returns

Mar 6, 2024 - Gov. Pritzker Announces $28.8 Million In USDA Grants To Provide Free Local Food To Communities

Oct 2, 2023 - Illinois Engages With National Program To Advance Soil Health

Mar 13, 2024 - Durbin Meets With Illinois Corn Growers Association

Aug 31, 2023 - Gov. Pritzker Announces Increased Access To Mental Health Services For Rural Farmers And Agricultural Communities