Illinois farmers and environmental advocates are raising alarms after Governor JB Pritzker proposed a 31% cut to the state’s popular cover crop insurance program, despite surging demand and rising concerns over farm runoff. The Fall Cover for Spring Savings program, offering $5-per-acre insurance discounts for using soil-conserving cover crops, sold out within two hours this year.
Advocates argue the cut, from $960,000 to $660,000, could stall conservation efforts, especially as less than 6% of Illinois farmland currently uses cover crops. Lawmakers have introduced bills to increase funding, but progress remains uncertain as budget talks continue.
