Cost-share
Sussex Conservation District Cover Crop Program
Sussex Conservation District (DE)
What you can get
$60/acre planted by October 1, 2026; $50/acre by November 15 for eligible species. Additional $5/acre for aerial planting by October 1. • Up to $75,000 per participant, subject to reduction if demand exceeds funds. • Sussex County land following an annual row/vegetable crop; no perennial crops, pasture or perennial hayland. No additional SCD cost-share where another agency provides assistance. Spring oats, winter peas, winter rape, radishes and turnips must be planted by October 1.
- Readiness
- Local office first
- Who can apply
- producer, Sussex County farmland following an annual row crop or vegetable; Kent County runs a parallel program
- Coverage
- DE
- Deadline & timing
- FY2027 Cover Crop Program (fact sheet updated August 20, 2026). Pays $60/acre for cover crops planted by October 1, 2026 and $50/acre for those planted by November 15, 2026, with an extra $5/acre for aerial seeding done by October 1. Participants must self-certify planting by October 7 or November 19, 2026, and cover crops must be destroyed between March 15 and June 2, 2027. Assistance is capped at $75,000 per participant, and land must follow an annual row or vegetable crop in Sussex County. The fact sheet does not list a signup deadline, and approvals follow the August 2026 Board meeting, so call the district's Agriculture Conservation office (302-856-3990 ext. 3) to ask whether late enrollment is still possible.
Optional expert service · $249
Turn program research into an application package.
An eligibility screen for one farm, a shortlist of up to three relevant programs, and draft practice justifications and a document checklist for one selected application. Delivered within 7 business days after intake.
Last verified Sep 27, 2026. Always confirm current terms and deadlines on the official site before applying.
Plan your next step
Run a quick soil assessment or ask an agronomist how this program fits your fields.