Soon, Illinois farmers will be able to apply for cost-share funding through a new Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) initiative, part of the state’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) from the federal government. Implemented through the Partners for Conservation Program, this effort supports the adoption of no-till or strip-till systems on eligible acres for three consecutive years beginning in fall 2025.

Funding & Payments

The program has a total budget of $67 million to enroll 638,000 acres statewide over three years. Farmers may enroll up to 3,000 acres, potentially earning up to $315,000 during the contract term. Participants will receive $35 per acre each year for three years. Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first served basis by county, with the goal of distributing funds evenly across Illinois.

Key Dates

• Pre-enrollment: Opens Oct. 15, 2025 (8 a.m. CDT)
• Application window: Oct. 27–31, 2025

Who Qualifies

• Farmers or landowners who commit to no-till or strip-till practices on specified fields for three years.
• Fields must not have been tilled in fall 2025 (this year).
• Acres already enrolled in other state or federal cost-share programs for the same practices are NOT ELIGIBLE for this program.

What You’ll Need

• Farm, tract, and field numbers and CLU identifiers.
• CCC-902 form, FSA Subsidiary Report, and proof of land control.
• Your local Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will help with mapping, conservation plans and STAR soil health assessments.

Why It Matters
No-till and strip-till practices improve soil health, reduce erosion, and cut fuel and labor costs. IDOA says these practices also help Illinois meet its nutrient-loss and climate goals.

Next Steps
Visit CPRG – Climate Smart Agriculture Program for details, forms, and FAQs, or contact agr.cprg@illinois.gov / (217) 782-6297.

Apply early as funds are limited, and each county will prioritize the first qualifying applications received.