Farmers for Soil Health has reopened enrollment for 2026, offering farmers higher payments and a simplified contract aimed at encouraging broader cover crop adoption across U.S. farmland at a time when conservation programs continue to compete for acres during tight margins and variable weather conditions. The farmer-led initiative, launched in 2022 by the Soy Checkoff, the Pork Checkoff, and the National Corn Growers Association, is increasing payments to $35 per acre on up to 2,000 acres, a structure designed to improve participation while keeping the program accessible for mid- to larger-sized operations evaluating cover crop systems.
The program has also reduced contracts to a one-year commitment, giving growers more flexibility as they weigh input costs, planting windows, and residue management decisions tied to different crop rotations. Enrollment runs through Aug. 31.
While cover crop adoption has grown steadily in recent years, participation levels still vary widely by region, soil type, and management system, with many producers continuing to cite upfront costs, labor timing, and weather uncertainty as barriers to entry despite long-term soil health benefits.
“Cover crops aren’t just good for the soil — they’re good for the bottom line,” said Indiana farmer Jim Douglas, a farmer advisor for Farmers for Soil Health. “The $35-per-acre payment on a simplified one-year contract removes a lot of the risk that keeps people on the fence.”
The initiative aims to double U.S. cover crop acres by 2030, aligning with broader soil health and conservation goals across agriculture, and is supported by a $95 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, which is helping fund producer payments and technical assistance efforts designed to improve adoption success rates.
Technical advisors remain available to help farmers enroll and implement practices successfully, offering guidance on seed selection, termination timing, and integration into existing corn-soybean and livestock systems, which remain key factors in determining long-term program participation and effectiveness.
