The Illinois Department of Agriculture is launching the eighth year of its Fall Covers for Spring Savings cover crop incentive program, offering farmers a discount of up to $5 per acre on their 2027 crop insurance premiums for each verified cover crop acre.

A total of 190,000 acres are available for the 2026-2027 program. Funding of eligible acreage is on a first come, first served basis. Over the last seven years, the program has funded 890,000 acres of cover crops, according to the department.

Key dates

  • Pre-enrollment opens: 8 a.m. CST, Monday, November 30, 2026
  • Program opens (applications can be submitted): 8 a.m. CST, Tuesday, December 15, 2026
  • Program closes: 11:59 p.m. CST, Friday, January 15, 2027

During pre-enrollment, participants can enter and validate their information. Entries may be saved and edited any time before submission.

How it works

The program applies to Illinois acres seeded to cover crops in the fall of 2026 and planted to an insurable crop in 2027. The discount depends on individual crop insurance policies.

Applicants must certify their cover crops with their local Farm Service Agency office before applying and have their current FSA-578 and federal crop insurance policy number ready.

The program encourages cover crop acres not supported by other state or federal incentives. The department said it is only applicable for those with coverage through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency crop insurance program. Approved applications will be forwarded to USDA-RMA for processing and premium discounts on 2027 crop insurance invoices.

"The Fall Covers for Spring Savings cover crop premium discount program helps farmers lower their crop insurance costs while improving soil health, reducing erosion and enhancing long term land productivity," said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. "It's a practical way to strengthen both environmental stewardship and farm profitability at the same time."

How to apply

Pre-enrollment and applications are available at apps.agr.illinois.gov/BLWR_CoverCrop/ or by following the program link on the IDOA website at agr.illinois.gov. Applicants should review the program rules page to check eligibility. For questions, call IDOA at (217) 782-6297.

Source: the original release