Cover Crop Regional Conservation Partnership Program

The "Cover Crop Regional Conservation Partnership Program" initiated by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, with support from USDA, is designed to foster the adoption and effective use of cover crops by landowners in Missouri. The objective is to enhance soil health and water quality on lands prone to erosion or with low organic matter. This grant program supports landowners financially, offering up to $40 per acre for cover crop planting on 20,000 acres annually. The overarching aim is to sustain food production, regenerate soil health through improved soil structure, carbon storage, and increased biodiversity, which benefits crop systems by reducing diseases and enhancing soil porosity. This program operates on a five-year cost-share basis and is open for statewide participation with annual enrollment periods. Recommendations include integrating cover crops with conservation tillage methods and diversified crop rotations for optimal soil health benefits.