Pandemic Cover Crop Program Deadline is June 15

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A cover crop mix of sorghum and sunn hemp.

By Clint Thompson

Vegetable and specialty crop producers who utilize cover crops have until Tuesday, June 15 to sign up for the Pandemic Cover Crop Program.

The implementation of cover crops requires a long-term investment from the producer. The COVID-19 pandemic provided economic challenges for growers to maintain those cover crop systems. The Pandemic Cover Crop Program, which is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), ensures farmers can continue this conservation practice.

The program provides premium support to farmers who insured their spring crop under most insurance policies and planted a qualifying cover crop during this crop year. The premium support is $5 per acre, but no more than the full premium owed.

The cover crops that qualify include all that are reportable to FSA, including cereals and other grasses, legumes, brassicas and other non-legume broadleaves, and mixtures of two or more cover crop species planted at the same time.  

Producers will automatically receive the premium benefit if they file the Report of Acreage form (FSA-578) by June 15 with their local FSA office.

Contact your local USDA Service Center and make an appointment.