The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has announced the return of its Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program, offering farmers an opportunity to reduce crop insurance costs while promoting soil conservation and improving long-term land productivity.
Now entering its eighth year, the program will make 190,000 acres available for the 2026-2027 enrollment period. Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Over the past seven years, the program has supported approximately 890,000 acres of cover crops across Illinois.
IDOA Director Jerry Costello II says the program provides financial benefits to farmers while encouraging environmentally responsible agricultural practices, including improved soil health, reduced erosion and increased land productivity.
The program applies to Illinois farmland planted with cover crops during the fall of 2026 and subsequently planted with an insurable crop in 2027. Eligible participants can receive a discount of up to $5 per acre on their 2027 crop insurance premiums for each verified acre of cover crops. The actual discount will depend on individual insurance policies.
Farmers may begin entering and validating their information during the pre-enrollment period starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, November 30th. Applications can officially be submitted beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, December 15th. Information entered during pre-enrollment can be saved and edited before submission.
Applicants must certify their cover crops through their local Farm Service Agency office before applying. They should also have their current FSA-578 form and federal crop insurance policy numbers available.
The program is intended to encourage cover crop planting on acreage not already receiving other state or federal incentives. Eligibility is limited to producers who participate in the USDA Risk Management Agency’s federal crop insurance program.
Approved applications will be forwarded to the USDA Risk Management Agency for processing, with premium discounts reflected on 2027 crop insurance invoices.
Applications will remain open through 11:59 p.m. on January 15, 2027, or until available acreage is exhausted.
Farmers can pre-enroll and apply online at https://apps.agr.illinois.gov/BLWR_CoverCrop/ or through the Illinois Department of Agriculture website at https://agr.illinois.gov/.
For additional information or questions about eligibility, contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture at (217) 782-6297.