Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program Opens for 2026–2027 Season

Illinois Farmers Eligible for $5/Acre Crop Insurance Premium Discount

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is launching the eighth year of its Fall Covers for Spring Savings (FCSS) program, offering Illinois farmers up to a $5 per acre discount on their 2027 crop insurance premium for cover crops planted in fall 2026. The program is designed to support soil health, improve water quality, and encourage adoption of conservation practices across the state.

A total of 190,000 acres are available this year, funded on a first-come, first-served basis. Over the last seven years, the program has funded 890,000 acres of cover crops in Illinois.

The program applies to Illinois acres seeded to cover crops in fall 2026 and planted to an insurable crop in 2027.  The program is aimed at cover crop acres not already supported by other state or federal incentives, so farmers should check the program rules page to confirm eligibility.

Program Timeline

1. November 30, 8:00 AM CST: Pre-enrollment opens. Farmers may log in, enter and validate their information, and save their applications.
2. December 15, 8:00 AM CST: Program opens and applications can be submitted.
3. January 15, 2027, 11:59 PM CST: Program closes.

Before applying, farmers must certify their cover crops with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office and have their current FSA-578 and federal crop insurance policy number(s) ready.

“Cover crops have earned their place on our farm. They hold our soil through the winter, help keep nutrients in the field instead of the creek, and give our cattle some extra grazing. Fall Covers for Spring Savings is a simple way for the state to share in that investment, and I’d encourage every farmer who seeded covers this fall to pre-enroll early and claim those savings,” said Don Guinnip, a Clark County farmer and vice president of IL Corn Growers Association.

Farmers can pre-enroll and apply at apps.agr.illinois.gov/BLWR_CoverCrop/ or through the program link on the IDOA website at agr.illinois.gov.

For assistance, farmers may contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office or IDOA at 217-782-6297.