Diverse groups support cover crop program expansion

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Legislation that has bipartisan support in the Illinois General Assembly and from diverse groups was introduced this spring and awaits votes in each chamber.

Farm groups and environmental advocates have joined forces to support an expansion of the Fall Cover for Spring Savings Program to 500,000 acres at a cost of $3.1 million.

Ten Democrats and eight Republicans have signed on as bill cosponsors in the Senate. Primary sponsor is Sen. Patrick Joyce, D-Essex. The legislation is pending with the Senate Assignments Committee.

The Senate bill appropriates $3.1 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture “for costs associated with the Crop Insurance Rebate Initiative to provide incentives for at least 500,000 acres of eligible land effective July 1, 2024.”

The identical House version, led by primary sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, now has 12 Democrat and three Republican cosponsors. It is pending in the House Appropriations-General Service Committee.

The program provides a $5 per acre crop insurance premium discount for farmers who plant non-cash crops in the fall to promote soil health and keep nutrients in the field.

Fall Covers for Spring Savings program started with a modest 50,000-acre target in 2019 through $300,000 appropriated in the state budget. These acres were allocated in 12 days.

In the 2023 crop year, 160,000 acres were made available through a combination of state and Hypoxia Task Force funds. These acres were spoken for in a matter of hours.

The maximum allotted 140,000 acres enrolled in the current year’s program were filled in less than 24 hours.

Advocates say now it is time to expand the program to 500,000 acres. Supporters point to the success of the Pandemic Cover Crop Program, a similar federal program only available for crop years 2021 and 2022.

Modeled after the state-based programs, PCCP provided the same $5 per acre incentive to farmers who planted cover crops.

During those enrollment periods, Illinois farmers signed up an average of 500,000 acres annually.

“The Fall Covers for Spring Savings program provides a jump-start to initiate what may be a new practice for some producers,” said Jerry Costello II, Illinois Department of Agriculture director.

“The proven versatility of cover crops to improve soil health, reduce erosion, increase moisture availability during drought and reduce pests, weeds and diseases are just some of the benefits of making this investment.”

“The cover crop program has proved popular over the years, and I’m proud to carry legislation that would expand this program by at least 500,000 acres. Not only does this program uplift farmers, but it has positive environmental impacts — including, most importantly, helping Illinois meet its nutrient loss reduction goals,” Joyce said.

“Cover crops are critical for maintaining soil integrity, filtering contaminants and overall sustaining healthy farms, so expanding funding for the Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program has to be top of mind when we go into our upcoming budget negotiations,” Yang Rohr said.

“Just as our farming communities are adapting to a changing climate that presents growing challenges to their livelihoods, Springfield, too, needs to adapt to sustain funding for this program.”

“Fall Covers for Spring Savings enables more farmers to take steps to protect our waterways, soil and wildlife. We all benefit by making it more affordable and accessible for farmers to adopt sustainable practices, like cover crops,” said Liz Rupel, Illinois Stewardship Alliance lead organizer.

“Funding the Fall Covers for Spring Savings program to cover 500,000 acres is a crucial step to reach the goals set out in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.”

“Expanding Fall Covers for Spring Savings to 500,000 acres will allow more growers to be supported in the transition to soil health management systems. This expansion sends a clear message to Illinois farmers that the state cares about improving water quality and wants to support farmers in one of the most powerful conservation practices they can adopt onto their annual row crop fields,” said Megan Baskerville, The Nature Conservancy’s Illinois ag program director.

“Farmers find great value in the simplicity of the Fall Covers for Spring Savings initiative. Since its establishment in 2019, it has emerged as one of the state’s most favored voluntary programs, combining a conservation practice that mitigates risk with the farmers’ preferred farm safety net,” said Kris Reynolds, American Farmland Trust Midwest regional director.

“Cover crops are fundamental to the success of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and are a tool with many co-benefits providing a natural climate solution for Illinois. This program has shown remarkable demand from farmers around the state and we are confident that planters are ready to meet the increase in available acres,” said Dave Rylander, Illinois Corn Grower Association president.

“This program is an excellent example of a voluntary conservation program that provides farmers with resources to support conservation that works as part of their operation,” said Ron Kindred, Illinois Soybean Association chairman.