Payment program
Farmers for Soil Health — Cover Crop Incentive
Farmers for Soil Health (corn, soy & pork checkoffs)
Viewed by 23 farmers on Soil Health Exchange
What you can get
$35/acre per year for cover crops, up to 2,000 acres per farmer • One-year contracts renewable annually; free technical advisor support included
- Readiness
- Ready to apply
- Who can apply
- producer, corn, soybean, wheat, sorghum, or cotton farmers in 20 participating states; prior cover crop use does not disqualify
- Coverage
- DE, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NY, NC, ND, OH, PA, SD, TN, VA, WI
- Deadline & timing
- Farmers for Soil Health's 2026 enrollment announcement said enrollment was open until August 31 (2026), so that window has passed. The enrollment page no longer lists any deadline or next enrollment period; it still shows a 'Start Enrollment' button and invites farmers to re-enroll through DTN. Contact your state Technical Advisor to confirm whether fields can still be enrolled. Payment: up to $35 per acre, per year, on up to 2,000 acres, with renewable 1-year contracts.
soil healthcover cropclimate smart
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 14, 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.