Crowe: Cover Crop Discount Program Available To Area Farmers

MARYVILLE – Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is urging farmers to apply to the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s “Fall Covers for Spring Savings” program.

“It’s been a difficult year for farmers and the return of the cover crop discount program will be a great help for them during fall harvest,” Crowe said. “This program serves as another funding source to help farmers improve the soil in their fields. The program’s first year was a huge success, and I encourage farmers to participate this fall as well.”

The program allows eligible applicants to receive a $5 per acre premium discount on the following year’s crop insurance invoice for every acre of cover crop enrolled and verified in the program.

The goal of the program is to encourage farmers to plant additional acres of cover crops that are not covered by other state or federal incentives.

“Cover crops are a great way to keep soil anchored, salvage nitrogen, capture carbon and create weed suppression,” said Jerry Costello II, Acting Director of Agriculture. “In the long run, cover crops will help Illinois farmers reduce the need for fertilizer and reach the goals of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.”

Any farmer with coverage through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency crop insurance program is eligible to apply.

Applications will be available in December on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. For questions or additional information, contact the department at (217) 782-6297.

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