Illinois Cover Crop Initiative - American Farmland Trust

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Illinois Cover Crop Initiative

Virtual morning Coffee Chats have returned for 2025!
Each week there will be a featured farmer talking about their farm management practices and a discussion on topics such as innovative equipment ideas or cover crop termination practices.Contact Torey with any questions at tcolburn@farmland.org, and join us on the dates below at 8:30 AM CT

February 28th
March 7th

Resources

Review linked informational sheets to learn more.

2024 ADM Information Sheet
FBN Data Requirements
2024 ISAP Cover Crop Seed Dealer Directory

Thank you for enrolling in the ADM re:generations program. We appreciate your commitment to regenerative agriculture practices and this year’s program has been a huge success.   

What’s Next

FBN is available to schedule an appointment time that works for you to connect your production practices to your farm. (This can take place after harvest.) 

A FBN/Gradable Rep will be contacting you after harvest, but if you’d like to get started sooner you can call (773) 900-4161 to reach a Sustainability Project Leader who can help.

  • Field Boundaries will be the first step.
    • If all of your field boundaries are uploaded to FBN already, you’re all set!
    • If you have fields to add, you can connect precision application files (preferred) or share FSA docs. Your FBN rep can help.
  • Gather Info about your farm operations, including crop rotations, input usage, and conservation practices.
Important Dates
  • December 6, 2024
    • An appointment to review your farming practices must be scheduled with FBN by December 6th. The appointment can be after 12/6 but you must have something scheduled by this date or your program eligibility is subject to termination. 
  • February 28, 2025 
    • All required program information must be completed with FBN. 
Need Help?
  • Contact Torey Colburn, AFT’s Midwest Conservation Agronomist with any questions at tcolburn@farmland.org 

Program Partners

Resources Available

The following are resources that provide information on cover crops, seed mixes, available programs, and more.

Midwest Cover Crop Council

The Midwest Cover Crop Council website provides many great cover crop resources. Visit the “Selector Tools” tab to find the best planting dates for your area and your seed mix that follow NRCS guidelines.

Post-Corn, Going to Soybeans Cover Crop Recipe

This recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop into a corn-soybean rotation.

Post-Soybeans, Going to Corn Cover Crop Recipe

The following recipe provides an introductory approach to integrating a cover crop ahead of corn.

NREC Cover Crop Guide

The Nutrient Research and Education Council’s publication describes considerations for first time cover crop adopters. The observations are based on multi-year research projects.

ISAP Events Webpage

Visit the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership’s events page to find upcoming field days and virtual discussions about cover crops.

ISAP Available Programs Matrix

ISAP’s Cover Crop Incentives Directory provides an overview of cover crop incentive payment opportunities for farmers in Illinois.”

Have more questions or want to collaborate? Contact our staff:

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