IL Department of Agriculture receives $7M for new program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is launching a new program thanks in part to a hefty grant.
IDOA was able to secure a $7 million USDA grant to launch their Infield Conservation for Operationalizing Vital Ecosystem Resilience (I-COVER) program. The program is offering cost-share and financial incentives to landowners and producers who are new adopters of cover crops or who use new techniques for earlier establishment of cover crops.
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The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant between Illinois, Indiana and Iowa is establishing a three-year program for cover crops planted from 2025-2027.
'Research shows that cover crops improve soil health, reduce erosion, increase drought resistance, and reduce pests, weeds and diseases,' Jerry Costello II, Illinois Director of Agriculture, said. '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.'
The following rates will be available to selected applications for the following practice scenarios for each of three years of this program:
$61.13 per acre for one or more cover crop species, winter killed
$85.65 per acre for single cover crop species, spring terminated
$105.40 per acre for one or more cover crop species, spring terminated
IDOA is going to choose applications on a first come, first served basis. The first application per county will be prioritized, then all remaining applications will be prioritized on a first come, first served basis for qualified and verified applicants.
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'IDOA will verify applications and respective acreage, and local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff will check selected applicants' USDA Farm Bill eligibility, work with applicants on conservation planning, verify practice implementation, and assist with payment and reporting documents,' part of the press release reads. 'Program viability is subject to availability of federal funds.'
One requirement is that a copy of the CCC-902, FSA Subsidiary Report and Producer Farm Data or proof of control of the land will be needed if an applicant is selected. Additionally, 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 length of the program.
Applications and pre-enrollment are both available at agr.illinois.gov by selecting the I-COVER program link on the home page. Pre-enrollment opens at 8 a.m. on Feb. 10, the program opens on March 3 at 8 a.m. and it closes on March 14 at 11:59 p.m.
For additional information on the program, visit the I-COVER Program Rules webpage or contact IDOA at 217-782-6297 or agr.icover@Illinois.gov.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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