$15-per-Acre Incentives Spur Midwest Farmers to Plant Cover Crops
Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) has launched its 2026 cover crop cost-share program, providing $15 per acre for corn and soybean farmers in the Midwest who plan to plant a fall cover crop. The non-profit organization aims to support growers with cover cropping practices, having already assisted over 2,400 farmers on more than 900,000 acres with $10 million in funding last year.
The program is open to corn and soybean farmers in Iowa and parts of Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. To apply, farmers must submit their acreages online and sign a release allowing PFI to verify acres with the Farm Service Agency. They will then receive a wrap-up survey to report seed and application expenses.
The cost-share program can be combined with other publicly funded programs, including IDALS WQI, NRCS EQIP, or CSP. Additionally, farmers will receive agronomic advice on cover crops and a one-year PFI membership with their application. According to Sean Dengler, crop nutrition coordinator at PFI, 'We know cover crops can reduce erosion, suppress weeds, and improve soil health, but the upfront cost can keep farmers from trying them or expanding acres.'