Partners for Conservation
Cost-Share
COVER CROPS
Click for 2024 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:
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reduce erosion
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sequester nutrients for the following cash crop
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reduce compaction
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increase infiltration and mitigate flooding
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improve water quality & soil health over time
K3SWCD COST-SHARE GUIDELINES
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75% cost-share up to $40/acre for single species and/or winter kill species cover crops
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75% cost-share up to $60/acre for a multi-species cover crop mix
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Includes seed and seeding costs
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For fields never before planted with cover crops, unless a new method for earlier establishment is used, such as overseeding into an unharvested cash crop with an unmanned aerial vehicle.
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Must use Midwest Cover Crop Council guidelines for planting window and seeding rates.
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.
ProHarvest Seeds in Ashkum, IL
(866)807-7015
http://www.proharvestseeds.com/
STRIP-TILL
Click for 2024 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:
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Seed bed preparation
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Warms the soil
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Relieves soil compaction
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Controls erosion
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Fertilizer efficiency
K3SWCD COST-SHARE
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$30 per acre per landowner/operator
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1-Year Contract
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Must be a CORN or SORGHUM field
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Must be FIRST time no-till or strip-till field
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).
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.
CONSERVATION COVER
Click for 2024 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
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Reduces soil erosion and sedimentation
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Enhances wildlife habitat
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Improves water quality
K3SWCD COST-SHARE
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Up to 75% cost-share up to 10 acres maximum per landowner/operator
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5-Year Contract
CRITICAL AREA PLANTING
Click for 2024 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:
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Erosion control
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Wildlife habitat
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Beautification
K3SWCD COST-SHARE
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Up to 75% cost-share
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Temporary or permanent plantings
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10-Year contract for permanent plantings
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1-year contract for temporary planting
