SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Agriculture is less than one month away from starting its “Fall Covers for Spring Savings” program again.
The program opens up 190,000 acres of land to farmers to plant cover crops in the fall of 2024. Eligible applicants will receive a premium discount up to $5 per acre on the following year’s crop insurance, depending on individual crop insurance policies, for every cover crop acre enrolled and verified in the program.
“The ‘Fall Covers for Spring Savings’ program provides a jump start to initiate what may be a new practice for some producers,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. “Cover crops are critically important for Illinois agriculture, creating a protective barrier that improves soil health, combats drought, reduces disease and decreases soil erosion.”
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A pre-enrollment period begins on Dec. 4, when users can enter their information into the application and validate it. Applications can be submitted starting Dec. 16 and the program closes one month later on Jan. 15.