04/30/2026
Two Cover Crop Programs Available In 2026!
Two programs offering assistance to plant cover crops will be available for 2026, in addition to the EQIP and CSP programs from USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.
One of these programs is the Cover Crops and Saline Soils Initiative, intended to improve soil health on saline soils. This program is administered by the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and funded by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. Applications that meet requirements will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis at up to $50/acre and for up to 160 acres. Applicants must submit the application form, field map with acreage shown, and a seeding mix that meets NRCS practice 340 specifications. Please contact our office for assistance with applications and seed mix specifications. Note that successful applicants will also need to submit planting documentation and cover crop photos for reimbursement.
The other program is from the ag organization Farmers for Soil Health. It will pay $35 per acre to assist farmers with a corn or soybean rotation to plant cover crops in corn, soybean, wheat, or grain sorghum acres. The enrollment period will be June 1 to August 31, with a seeding deadline of Oct. 1, 2026. Broadcast seeding may be an option. The financial assistance is federally funded, so applicants will need to provide the usual supporting forms and information. Anyone interested in this program should go to the Farmers for Soil Health website to enroll:
Mission The mission of Farmers for Soil Health is to increase farmer adoption of soil health improvement practices by providing educational aids, outreach materials, and financial resources for the state commodity groups and other partners. Vision Our vision is to inspire farmers to adopt soil healt...
