State program offers farmers insurance discount for cover crops
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Southern Indiana farmers who plant cover crops can continue to see a reduced premium on their crop insurance through a state program rewarding those who make the environmental investment.
The Cover Crop Premium Discount Program will forge on for a fourth year after the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, The Nature Conservancy and the United State Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency partnered to incentive farmers to plant crops that improve their soil and the community’s water quality.
“Being a farmer who plants cover crops myself, I know how challenging it is. Both in terms of upfront cost and the extra time related to implementing them,” ISDA Director Don Lamb said in a news release. “This is a tremendous program for Hoosier farmers looking for another incentive to plant cover crops, and I am so grateful this program is open to more counties, and more farmers, than ever before.”
Those participating can receive A $5 per acre discount in their premium. Those who planted crops in fall 2023 are eligible.
However, the program is only in 26 counties: Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Decatur, Floyd, Greene, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Orange, Randolph, Ripley, Scott, Shelby, Switzerland and Washington.
Cover crops cycle organic matter back into the soil, resulting in more nutrients and better yields. Cover crops, which can include small grains like wheat, are typically planted in the fall after harvest. The conservation practice can also reduce weeds from emerging.
The crops also prevent sediment run-off leading since they lead to better water infiltration and water-holding capacity. That ultimately results in improved water quality.
Last cycle, 117 farmers participated in the program, sprawling 35,000 acres of farmland with cover crops.
Applications are due March 15 or when funds are exhausted.