Pennsylvania Farmers Can Earn Cover Crop Incentive Payments

By Blake Jackson

Farmers in Pennsylvania and 19 other states have an opportunity to receive financial support for planting cover crops through the Farmers for Soil Health program.

The initiative helps producers improve soil health while offering incentives for those who establish qualifying cover crops during the fall season.

The program also encourages farmers to consider grazing cover crops as a way to extend their livestock grazing period. Funded through soybean, pork, and corn grower checkoff contributions, Farmers for Soil Health provides payments to eligible producers who adopt approved cover crop practices.

Applications are available through the programs online enrollment portal.

Producers at any experience level can participate, whether they are planting cover crops for the first time or expanding existing acreage. Eligible participants may receive $35 per acre for up to 2,000 acres each year.

Each enrolled farmer is connected with a technical advisor who provides guidance throughout the process. In Pennsylvania, Sustainable Chesapeake provides technical support, helping producers with cover crop selection, eligibility requirements, enrollment steps, reporting, and program management.

Farmers can also use the Cover Crop Selector Tool to compare different cover crop options based on planting schedules, intended uses, and management objectives. The tool helps producers make informed decisions when selecting the best cover crops for their operations.

Farmers should note that acreage enrolled in Farmers for Soil Health cannot also receive NRCS cover crop incentive payments for the same practice.

However, the program’s payments may be combined with other qualifying private or state-funded conservation programs, including Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP).

To complete enrollment, producers must provide required documents, including an SSN or EIN, USDA farm identification details, FSA maps, field boundaries, a completed W-9, FSA Subsidiary Print, FSA-156EZ, and CPA-52 forms.

Farmers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for assistance in collecting documents before applying. Since funding is limited, producers should submit applications early. The deadline for the 2026 enrollment period is August 31, 2026.

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