Every dollar counts in today’s agriculture economy. To help boost farmer profitability while also improving soil health, the Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) program has relaunched in 2026 with more inclusive financial incentives to growers who are planting cover crops.
In reintroducing the FSH program, the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and Wisconsin Soybean Program are hosting a pair of free educational “Cash for Cover Crops” workshops Thursday, June 25 in Wisconsin to help enroll farmers in FSH. The first Cash for Cover Crops workshop will be held from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station. The second workshop takes place later that day, from 4-6 p.m., at the Crossroads Supper & Banquet Hall in Platteville.
Workshops Will Feature
- Both workshops will spotlight the FSH program.
- A presentation from Dr. Shawn Conley, a Wisconsin Soybean Assocation director and state soybean and small grains specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who will speak on the “perfect match” between cover crops and soybeans
- A panel of Wisconsin farmers and researchers to highlight soil health practices
UW-Madison Climate Outreach Specialist Amanda Latham will speak at the Arlington workshop only.
Both Cash for Cover Crops workshops are free and open to the public, but pre-registration by June 16 is requested. Meals will be included at the conclusion of both workshops.
A collaboration between the soy checkoff, pork checkoff and National Corn Growers Association, Farmers for Soil Health was launched in 2023 to advance the use of sustainable, soil health practices including cover crops to improve farmer profitability and promote conservation.
Improving soil organic matter, enhancing weed suppression, limiting nutrient runoff and sequestering carbon are just some of the many advantages Wisconsin growers earn when they invest time and resources into cover crops.
“There’s no end to the creativity of my fellow farmers when they try different things,” says Dallas, Wis., farmer Andy Bensend, who represents Wisconsin on the United Soybean Board. “We’re always learning new things, and with cover crops – there’s a boatload of benefits.”
The updated highlights of the FSH program in 2026, with support from CTIC, include:
- Flexible one-year contracts
- $35 per acre
- All acres are eligible regardless of management practice from the previous year (no additionality)
- 2,000-acre cap per FSA farm entity
- Guided enrollment support with our soil health specialists
- Farmer-to-farmer support network with CTIC’s Cover Crop Coach program
- Stackable with many state, local and private-entity programs
- Simple verification process
The deadline for enrolling in FSH is Aug. 31, 2026.
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