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Illinois Cover Crop Initiative

Cover crops are a critical piece of soil health systems and provide a plethora of benefits to fields and farms. Continue reading below for available programs and other cover crop resources.

Programs Available

Resources

Learn more about the ICCI program

Information Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

ADM Information Sheet

Sample Contract Statewide

Sample Contract for Regional ADM Customers

As of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, the official 2022 ICCI program sign-up will close. Please continue to fill out the application to be placed on a waitlist for available acres.

The Illinois Cover Crop Initiative program provides payments to farmers for incorporating cover crops, no-tillage, and/or emissions scoring into their operations. This flexible program allows farmers to enroll acres where practices have previously been used and to choose from 1, 2, 3, or 4-year contracts. Carbon assets generated from participation in this program are being claimed by ADM.

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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.”