Cover crop adoption often depends on a farmer’s ability to get seed applied quickly and efficiently, yet many regions lack the application capacity needed to meet demand.

That’s why the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) is bringing the Cover Crop Business Accelerator program to Illinois. Through the Cover Crop Business Accelerator program, custom applicators can receive financial support, agronomic expertise and business development resources to expand custom cover crop application services.

At the end of the day, supporting local cover crop businesses creates new economic opportunities while helping more farmers implement conservation practices.

Frank Rademacher, Conservation Agronomist with The Nature Conservancy, will be coordinating the Accelerator program for ISAP. Rademacher is also a Certified Crop Advisor and farms with his father in Champaign County.

 

Field & Bean: When did the Cover Crop Business Accelerator program officially launch in Illinois?

Rademacher: The program officially launched this year, and the application is currently open for interested parties.

 

Field & Bean: Who is eligible for the program?

Rademacher: This program is for farmers and entrepreneurs looking to open or grow a cover crop application business in Illinois.

 

Field & Bean: Why are custom applicators an important component of farmers implementing cover crops?

Rademacher: Farmers may not always have the time or equipment necessary to plant cover crops. Custom applicators help bridge that gap because they already have the equipment, the labor and the knowledge to get the seed planted in a timely fashion. Farmers often rely on ag retailers for products, services, and agronomy knowledge. If any of those pieces are missing for conservation practices, it can be a real struggle for farmers to get started. Supporting local farmers with the equipment and experience can be a way to fill that gap.

 

Field & Bean: What are the program requirements?

Rademacher: Applicants must have a strong desire to grow an existing cover crop application business in Illinois or to create a new business that applies cover crops. Throughout the program, participants will engage with ISAP team members and have mentorship and networking opportunities.

 

Field & Bean: What are the benefits of the program?

Rademacher: The program includes both financial and business coaching support. Participants can take advantage of a capital cost share of 10% of the cost of business or equipment expenses, up to $5,000. Additionally, we offer a custom seeding incentive of $3/acre, up to $5,000. Other support includes business growth, agronomic and outreach resources. Our goal is to go beyond just the financial incentive and provide holistic support for continued business success. That may be connecting a business with agronomic resources, outreach/networking channels, or whatever they identify as a barrier to long term viability and growth.

 

Field & Bean: Who is funding this program? 

Rademacher: For the first year, the program is being funded by The Nature Conservancy, but we’re hoping to get other funders on board to grow the program for future years. This year we’re able to fund four custom applicators.

 

Field & Bean: What is your role with the program? 

Rademacher: My role is to help coordinate all aspects of the program. Some of that includes logistical work, helping people apply, hands-on personal training for participants and acting as a liaison. The other aspect is to build partnerships with ag retailers and ag businesses to help with the program. Ultimately, we want to support participants where they need the support to the most, and so we ask them that directly.

 

Field & Bean: Where did the idea for the Business Accelerator program come from?

Rademacher: The idea came from Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) and the Iowa Soybean Association which have been successfully running their own Cover Crop Business Accelerator program since 2020. With the support of their partners, PFI and Iowa Soybean have reached 106 cover crop businesses across Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota, investing more than $650,000 into those businesses. Through ISAP, we thought this program could be easily replicable and scalable in Illinois, and certainly beneficial for Illinois farmers.

 

Field & Bean: How does this program benefit farmers?

Rademacher: Many of the cover crop businesses we fund will likely be farmers themselves. We’ll be helping support a key source of income that supports their farm, and a way for them to monetize their cover crop equipment and experience. Additionally, their farmer customers will receive continued or new access to a local cover crop application capacity and experience.

Field & Bean: How does this program support Illinois’ greater conservation/nutrient reduction goals?   

Rademacher: Cover crops are one of the most effective conservation strategies. They specifically help reduce nutrient and sedimentation runoff from fields. They’re an incredibly flexible strategy that can be catered to any growing system and goal. Growers have a variety of species and management options. Illinois research has shown that even just six inches of cover crop growth can have 30% or more reduction in nutrient loss. With this program, we hope to increase access to cover crops throughout Illinois.

 

Field & Bean: Where can I learn more and apply for the program?

Rademacher: Visit https://ilsustainableag.org/programs/soil-health/cover-crop-business-accelerator/ or email me, frank.rademacher@tnc.org.