The Climate Smart Agriculture Program

The Climate Smart Agriculture Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), forms part of the state’s implementation of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) initiative. This inaugural offering focuses on incentivizing sustainable agricultural practices, specifically no-till and strip-till methods, across Illinois farmland. The program is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in alignment with the State of Illinois Priority Climate Action Plan, leveraging a substantial partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to deliver financial incentives to producers who adopt conservation practices through the state’s Partners for Conservation (PFC) Program. Pre-enrollment for the program opens on October 15, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. CDT, with full application submissions accepted beginning October 27, 2025. The deadline for submitting completed applications is October 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Applications are accepted via the CPRG Program Application website, with a “How-To” guide available to assist applicants through the process. Submissions must include detailed farm and field data, as well as documentation such as the CCC-902, FSA Subsidiary Report, and Producer Farm Data Report or proof of land control. The program offers a three-year cost-share agreement for no-till or strip-till implementation starting in fall 2025, continuing through the 2028 crop year. Each eligible acre may receive $35 annually, totaling up to $105 over the contract term. Applicants may request support for up to 3,000 acres per application. Payments are disbursed annually by local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices following verification of practice implementation. Each selected applicant will work with SWCD staff to establish practice job sheets, develop project maps, conduct annual soil health assessments through the STAR Program, and comply with USDA-NRCS Conservation Practice Standards. Eligibility is limited to acreage not currently supported by other federal, state, or private no-till or strip-till incentive programs. Practices must meet USDA-NRCS Code 329 standards, prohibiting full-width soil disturbance throughout the term. Vertical tillage is not allowed unless used solely for cover crop seeding and appropriately documented. The program’s funding capacity is approximately $67 million over three years, with $22.3 million allocated annually. Applications will be prioritized on a first come, first served basis per county, with a cap of one initial application per county, and successive rounds opened as funding permits. Verification of eligibility and acreage will be conducted by IDOA and SWCD staff. Selected applicants must allow site access and data sharing for verification purposes. Payments will be made only after crop planting and verification, with cost recovery applicable for noncompliance. The program is fully independent of USDA-FSA or NRCS programs and is subject to the availability of federal funds. Applicants may direct inquiries to AGR.CPRG@Illinois.gov or call the Bureau of Land and Water Resources at 217-782-6297.

Fields must comply with USDA NRCS Code 329; no vertical tillage allowed; document all practices for verification.