Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is set to open applications for the Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program on December 15, 2023. For the first time, pre-enrollment is available and began on December 4, allowing applicants to enter and validate their information ahead of the official opening. The program will close at 11:59 p.m. CST on January 15, 2024.

A total of 140,000 acres are available for the upcoming year. In the previous year, demand exceeded supply with over 182,688 acres requested in less than a day. "For the fifth consecutive year, the Fall Covers for Spring Savings program incentivizes farmers to conserve Illinois' soil," said Jerry Costello II, Illinois Director of Agriculture. The initiative supports soil health improvement through cover crops which aid in reducing erosion and increasing drought resistance among other benefits.

Eligible participants can receive up to a $5 per acre discount on crop insurance premiums for each verified cover crop acre enrolled in the program. To apply, participants must certify their cover crops through their local Farm Service Agency office and provide necessary documentation such as current FSA-578 forms and federal crop insurance policy numbers.

The program was developed with legislative support from former Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett who described it as "an important tool to help farmers." Confirmed applications will be processed by the USDA-RMA for premium discounts on next year's crop insurance invoices.

Applications are accessible online until January 15 at IDOA's website or further details can be obtained by contacting IDOA directly.