Soil Health Cover Crop Grant Program

Medium

“Promoting Soil Health”

Introduction

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Soil Health Cover Crop Grant Program is a newly added program as a result of the 67th Legislative Assembly providing funding for the program. As a conservation program, the program’s primary goal is to protect and enhance soil health statewide. In particular, the program is targeting cropland areas impacted with alkaline soils. NDDA provides cost share to producers, first come first serve. Eligible producers will complete an application for the program with a fall deadline each year. Successful applicants may receive a $25/acre cost share payment. There is a 160-acre cap per producer. For further details on the program, please call Jason Wirtz at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture at 701-220-1628 or email at jwirtz@nd.gov.

Application

Cover Crop Benefits

Decrease soil erosion
Address and decrease salinity concerns in soils
Increase soil organic matter
Create and enhance microbial communities in soils
Improved nutrient cycling in soils
Increase moisture holding capacity in soils
Increase infiltration rates in soils
Nutrient storage in soils
Weed suppressant
Crop disease suppressant
Forage and feedstock opportunity for livestock
Protect water quality
Increase yields
Cut fertilizer costs and use

Cover Crop Recommendations

Early spring seeding for weed suppressant and moisture management-terminated late spring
Early spring seeding for forage production-terminated June after forage harvest and plant another crop in June
Spring seeding a mulch crop (low growing clover) same time as cash crop
Spring seeding of summer grazing forage crop
Post-harvest seeding of fall/winter grazing crop
Post-harvest seeding in September for winter cover and early hay crop following year (rye, triticale, and winter wheat)

Minimum Qualifications

Cover crop must be planted by June 15.
Complete online application by June 20.
Minimum seeding rates must be followed (please see eligible seed mixes in guidelines and minimum seeding rates in the Midwest Cover Crops Council Cover Crops Decision Tool). Soil Conservation/NRCS county specific suggested plantings are also eligible for this program.
No fall tillage allowed.
Grazing and haying is allowed on cover crops after July 5.
Must register as a vendor with the state of North Dakota to receive payment.
Must soil test before cover crop is planted.
Must provide previous crop planted/cropping rotation before cover crop.
Must identify cover crop/mix planted.
Must provide copy of seed bill in application.

Program Participation Requirements

Conduct field soil test prior to planting cover crop (results must be submitted with application).
Select cover crop to be grown.
Plant cover crop (prior to June 15 deadline).
Apply online at NDDA’s Soil Health Cover Crop Grant Program webpage (June 20 deadline).
- Complete application
- Copy of soil test
- Copy of seed bill/receipt
Applications will be selected on a first-come, first serve basis; successful applicants will be notified via email.
Successful applicants must register as a vendor with the state of North Dakota and notify program contact by email when completed.
Once all previous steps completed, payment for cost share will be processed after the application deadline each year. Payments may take up to 60 days for processing.

Guidelines

Application for the program does not guarantee cost share reimbursement.
Applications are first come, first serve.
Cost share payment of $25 an acre.
160-acre cap per applicant per year.
Applicants should use Midwest Cover Crops Council Cover Crops Decision Tool to assist in the determination of their cover crop.
Applicants in need of further technical assistance for cover crop planting or planning should consult with NRCS, their county Soil Conservation District or the Watershed Program Coordinator in their county.

Eligible Cover Crop/Planting/Mixes

Soil Conservation/NRCS county specific suggested plantings are eligible for this program
Other eligible cover crop plantings include:
- Turnips
- Radishes
- Cow peas
- Field peas
- Dry peas
- Hairy vetch
- Sunflowers
- Millet
- Sorghum
- Grazing corn
- Red clover
Eligible annual grasses include:
- Barley
- Oats
- Rye
- Triticale
Eligible perennial grasses and legumes include:
- Alfalfa
- Western Wheatgrass
- Intermediate Wheatgrass
- AC Saltlander