IDOA LAUNCHES I-COVER 2/27/25 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 Monday. 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. Pre-enrollment
and applications are underway. Visit the IDOA website agr.illinois.gov
and select the I-COVER Program link on the home page. Applications can be
submitted from March 3rd through 14th. For
each of the three years of the program, varying rates will be available to
selected applications for these practices, $61.13 an acre for one or more cover
crop species, winter killed, $85.65 an acre for single cover crop species,
spring terminated, and $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. For
program details, visit the I-COVER Program Rules at
agr.illinois.gov/resources/landwater/i-cover.html or contact IDOA by email at
agr.icover@Illinois.gov or by phone at 217-782-6297.