These organizations and programs are a good place to begin exploring options for establishing cover crops, integrating livestock or both.
Interest in cover crops and regenerative grazing has led to a growing number of financial assistance programs and technical resources. While this isn’t a complete list, here are some organizations and programs that are a good place to start exploring options for establishing cover crops, integrating livestock or both.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – Administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), EQIP helps producers implement conservation practices, including cover crops and grazing infrastructure such as fencing, water systems and heavy-use protection areas. The program now also includes incentives for virtual fencing.
Learn more: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) – Also administered by NRCS, CSP rewards producers who maintain and expand conservation practices across their operations, including advanced cover crop and grazing management systems.
Learn more: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/csp-conservation-stewardship-program
Missouri Soil & Water Conservation Districts – Every Missouri county has a Soil and Water Conservation District that administers state-funded cost-share programs. Eligible practices often include cover crops, rotational grazing, fencing and water development. Payment rates and signup periods vary by county.
Learn more: https://dnr.mo.gov/land-geology/businesses-landowners-permittees/financial-assistance-opportunities/soil-water-conservation-program
Heartland Virtual Fence Project – Led by the University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture, this new project helps Missouri and Nebraska cattle producers adopt virtual fence technology. Participants receive a $100 incentive per virtual fence collar along with technical assistance for implementing adaptive grazing.
Learn more: https://cra.missouri.edu/heartland-virtual-fence-project/
Farmers for Soil Health – This producer-led program encourages cover crop adoption through per-acre incentive payments. Missouri is among the participating states, and corn, soybean, wheat, grain sorghum and cotton producers may be eligible to enroll.
Learn more: https://farmersforsoilhealth.com
Before enrolling, MFA Range and Pasture Specialist Landry Jones advises producers to confirm program requirements.
“Most programs do allow grazing, but that’s something to verify,” Jones said. “Even when grazing is allowed, there may be restrictions or specific requirements you’ll need to follow.”
Jones and his counterpart, MFA Conservation Grazing Specialist Cheston Stacy, can help producers plan and manage the right cover crop systems for their operations. Contact them at ljones@mfa-inc.com and cstacy@mfa-inc.com.
Experts at each of the above-mentioned organizations can also provide more information and technical assistance.