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Partners for Conservation
Cost-Share

COVER CROPS

Click for 2023 Cover Crop Application

 

Cover crops are a crop established in agricultural fields during the "off season" after the cash crop (typically corn or soybeans) has been harvested.

 

Cover crops are a versatile tool used to:

  • reduce erosion 

  • sequester nutrients for the following cash crop

  • reduce compaction

  • increase infiltration and mitigate flooding

  • improve water quality & soil health over time 

 

K3SWCD COST-SHARE GUIDELINES

  • 75% cost-share up to $40/acre

  • $3,200 max per landowner/operator

  • Includes seed and seeding costs

  • For fields never before planted with cover crops.

  • Must use Midwest Cover Crop Council guidelines for planting window and seeding rates. 

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WHAT COVER CROP SPECIES SHOULD I PLANT TO ACHIEVE MY GOALS?

 

Use the Midwest Cover Crop Selection Tool to select cover crops based on location and learn about planting windows, seeding rates, species mixes, and more.

 

RESOURCE: An Introduction to Integrating Cover Crops Into a Corn-Soybean Rotation

WHERE TO PURCHASE SEED

 

Cover Crop Business Directory by Illinois Stewardship Alliance

Seed, application, & other services.

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SHOP LOCAL:

ProHarvest Seeds in Ashkum, IL

(866)807-7015

http://www.proharvestseeds.com/

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Cover Crops

STRIP-TILL

Click for 2023 Tillage Application

 

Why Strip-Till? Repeated, intensive tillage degrades soil structure and creates compacted layers than can restrict plant roots. (Cornell University)

 

Reasons to implement strip-till in your farming operation:

  • Seed bed preparation

  • Warms the soil

  • Relieves soil compaction

  • Controls erosion

  • Fertilizer efficiencyā€‹

 

K3SWCD COST-SHARE

  • $30 per acre up to $3,200 per landowner/operator

  • 1-Year Contract

  • Must be a CORN or SORGHUM field

  • Must be FIRST time no-till or strip-till field

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Strip-till

WELL SEALING

WELL SEALING

Unsealed, abandoned wells create direct pathways for contaminants to enter our groundwater. Contaminated surface water, agricultural runoff and effluent from private sewage disposal systems can enter the groundwater through abandoned wells and cause pollution of our drinking water (Kankakee County Health Department).

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Receiving cost-share to seal your abandoned well is easy! Call our office at (815) 937-8940 ext. 3 to fill out an application form. After sealing your well, fill out the Health Department form (found here), and turn in your signed receipts.

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Well Sealing

CONSERVATION COVER

Click for 2023 Conservation Cover Application

 

Why Conservation Cover? Establishing and maintaining perennial vegetative cover to protect soil and water resources on lands needing permanent protective cover that will not be used for forage production. (NRCS)

 

Reasons for Conservation Cover

  • Reduces soil erosion and sedimentation

  • Enhances wildlife habitat

  • Improves water quality

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K3SWCD COST-SHARE

  • Up to 75% cost-share up to 10 acres maximum per landowner/operator

  • 5-Year Contract

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Conservation Cover

CRITICAL AREA PLANTING

Click for 2023 Critical Area Planting Application

 

Critical area planting establishes permanent vegetation on sites that have, or are expected to have, high erosion rates, and on sites that have conditions that prevent the establishment of vegetation with normal practices.

 

Reasons for critical area plating:

  • Erosion control

  • Wildlife habitat

  • Beautification

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K3SWCD COST-SHARE

  • Up to 75% cost-share

  • Temporary or permanent plantings

  • 10-Year contract for permanent plantings

  • 1-year contract for temporary planting

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Critical Area Planting
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