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Farmers for Soil Health cover crop program enrollment closes Feb. 28

Farmers for Soil Health is a farmer-driven initiative for farmers aimed at improving soil health through the adoption of cover crops.

The 2024 Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) enrollment window is closing on Feb. 28.

Farmers for Soil Health is a farmer-driven initiative for farmers aimed at improving soil health through the adoption of cover crops. The collaboration among the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association in partnership with state commodity groups and conservation organizations seeks to double the adoption of cover crops to reach 30 million acres by 2030. North Dakota State University Extension is coordinating the program for North Dakota.

Through the Farmers for Soil Health program, enrolled farmers receive incentive payments for adopting cover crops on their farms. The incentives are supported by a $95 million U.S. Department of Agriculture Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant.

“While traditionally farmers first get enrolled into a program then plant after, Farmers for Soil Health allows enrollment both before and after planting cover crops,” says Rutendo Nyamusamba, NDSU Extension conservation agronomist stationed at the Dickinson Research Extension Center. “This unique feature of enrolling after planting the cover crops gives farmers flexibility in their time management and strategizing of operations.”

Farmers for Soil Health is a three-year program. Crop fields in a corn and/or soybean rotation are eligible for the Transition Incentive Payments (TIPs) totaling $50 per new acre of cover crops across three years. This is structured as $25 the first year, $15 the second year and $10 the third year. The program is also offering Signing Incentive Payments (SIPs) of $2 per acre for existing cover-cropped fields.

A field that has a cover crop planted in it for the first time in 2024 is eligible for TIPs. If a field has a cover crop that was planted in 2024, and the same field was also planted with cover crops in the 2023/2024 season, then it qualifies for SIPs.

Farmers for Soil Health can be staked with other programs if those programs are paying for something other than the cover crop practice.

North Dakota State University Extension is coordinating the program for North Dakota.

“When a farmer takes the step to plant cover crops, but the establishment falls behind the expectations, FSH understands that such a farmer will still reap benefits from that cover crop,” shares Nyamusamba. ”Do not let the fear of crop establishment keep you from adopting cover crops. That is the reason for FSH – to help you start the journey of cover cropping.”

Enrollment into FSH is rolling. After March 1, the enrollment year becomes 2025.

Visit FarmersforSoilHealth.com for information on eligibility and how to enroll online for cover crop payments.

For questions regarding the program, contact Rutendo Nyamusamba at rutendo.nyamusamba@ndsu.edu or 701-456-1113.


NDSU Agriculture Communication – Jan. 21, 2025

Source: Rutendo Nyamusamba, 701-456-1113, rutendo.nyamusamba@ndsu.edu

Editor: Kelli Anderson, 701-231-6136, kelli.c.anderson@ndsu.edu

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