PFI Cost-Share for Cover Crops Now Open

OMAHA (DTN) -- Midwestern farmers interested in seeding fall cover crops can get payment rates of $10 or $15 per acre on an unlimited number of acres, along with personalized agronomic support, through a Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) cover crop cost-share program.

Enrollment for the program is now open.

"We've worked hard to build a strong program, one that provides the support farmers need to get covers in their fields," stated Morgan Jennings, PFI's field crops viability coordinator, in a news release. "Cover crops are a great entry point for farmers interested in conservation. Beyond the soil, water and other ecological benefits, our farmers tell us they also see reduced chemical input costs, boosted yields and increased forage availability."

Now in its tenth year, the cover crop cost-share program has helped thousands of people across the Midwest plant cover crops. Both farmers with a history of cover crop use and those seeding cover crops for the first time are encouraged to apply. Non-organic corn and soybean farmers in Iowa and parts of Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin are eligible.

Farmers who enroll in this program will also receive a complimentary one-year membership to PFI, a nonprofit with more than 8,000 members that equips farmers to build resilient farms and communities. In 2023, 970 cost-share participants became PFI members for the first time, allowing them access to a community of seasoned cover croppers.

"In 2023, we saw a huge spike in interest, with nearly twice as many farmers enrolling in the cost-share than in the 2022 season," Jennings said. "We try to make our program as easy to use as possible, keeping the paperwork to a minimum."

One participant of the cost-share, Edward Morse, started this in 2019 on his western Iowa farm.

"The program is simple, straightforward and makes cover crops more economical for both grain and livestock producers," Morse stated in the release. "We benefit by improving our soil health and weed suppression, while also reducing erosion and improving water quality and overall conditions in our environment."

Applications take about 10 minutes to complete. This cost-share program can be stacked with other publicly funded programs. However, farmers can't dually enroll acres in another private cost-share program.

For details and application, visit PracticalFarmers.org/cover-crop-cost-share.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 2, 2024. Applicants can email covercrops@practicalfarmers.org or call 515-232-5661 with questions.

Funding for this program is possible through ADM, Cargill, PepsiCo and Unilever.

Susan Payne can be reached at susan.payne@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @jpusan

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