The 2026 Batch and Grow Cover Crop Program is an Illinois farmer-led cover crop initiative offering FREE COVER CROP SEED and FREE CUSTOM APPLICATION. The program is hosted by local FLASH groups (Farmer-Led Advancements in Soil Health). FLASH groups are farmer-led networks that work together to improve water quality and enhance soil health by expanding conservation practices in their communities.

Using a “Batch and Grow” model, each FLASH group has selected 2–5 proven cover crop mixes tailored to their local area that participating farmers can choose from. This makes it easier to get started, with trusted support from experienced cover crop users and conservation partners in their community.

Cover crops will be aerial seeded or custom applied to participating fields in mid-August through December 2026, depending on the cover crop chosen — FREE OF CHARGE.

See the next tab for eligibility, participating locations, and how to apply.

Illinois row crop farmers who are located within or near the areas served by one of the five active FLASH groups are eligible to apply (see map above).

General eligibility requirements:

• This program is funded through USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). To participate, applicants must meet the following USDA NRCS criteria:

  • Have an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $900,000 or less.

  • Ensure enrolled fields are not receiving financial support from other federal or state-funded programs for cover crops during the 2026 season (e.g., Fall Covers for Spring Savings (FCSS), NRCS EQIP, CSP, Soil and Water Outcomes Fund).

• Provide accurate FSA farm, tract, and field numbers for all enrolled acres.

• Allow NRCS and program partners (American Farmland Trust and Sand County Foundation) to access farm-identifiable information to verify eligibility.

Applicants will be asked to review and agree to a full eligibility checklist as part of the application process.

In addition, all participants are asked to submit STAR (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources) field forms for each field listed in their cover crop application. STAR is a free tool available at startool.ag that helps document field-level management practices and track conservation progress over time. Each STAR form takes less than 5 minutes to complete per field. Applications will not be considered complete until all listed fields also appear in the STAR portal. Information entered in STAR may be accessed by trained American Farmland Trust STAR Navigators to support eligibility review.

FLASH Group–Specific Requirements:
Each FLASH group will prioritize applications based on its own local goals and decision-making process. When applying, you’ll select the group you want to participate through — this will determine your cover crop options and any additional requirements that apply.

For example, some groups may give preference to first-time cover crop users, limit the number of acres per participant, or prioritize farms located in or near priority watersheds such as the Shoals, Apple Plum, Embarras, Upper Vermilion, or Little Wabash.

While program eligibility is not strictly limited by watershed or county boundaries, the information you provide in this application may be used by your selected FLASH group to assess how well your participation aligns with its local priorities.

Be sure to review your group’s specific eligibility criteria before applying.

If you’re unsure which group to select or whether your farm qualifies, contact Morgan Cauble at [email protected] for help.

The 2026 Batch and Grow Cover Crop Program is open to farmers located near one of five active FLASH groups in Illinois. While eligibility isn’t limited by county or watershed boundaries, each group is working within a 2,500-acre cap and will prioritize applications based on local goals and geographic focus areas.

Priority watersheds within the areas served by FLASH groups include the Shoals, Apple Plum, Embarras, Upper Vermilion, and Little Wabash watersheds. If you farm near one of these areas or in a nearby community where a FLASH group is active, we particularly encourage you to apply.

Applications are Now Closed!

Contact Morgan Cauble at [email protected] for any follow up inquiries.