27AL2025 Big Bend Attachments A thru J.pdf

PDF 3 MB Posted

Attached to
27AL2025 Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area Farm Lease
Solicitation number
27-422DNR-REALT-B-54012
Issued by
Illinois

About this file

This file contains bid attachments and supporting documentation for an agricultural farm lease opportunity issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for the Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area (SFWA), identified as Contract 27AL2025. The lease encompasses approximately 270.40 acres of agricultural land to be farmed according to a detailed seven-year cropping plan spanning 2026 through 2032. The lessee will be required to manage the property according to specified crop rotations that include corn, soybeans, sunflowers, wheat, and cover crops, with cover crops required on a minimum of 139.50 acres annually to support soil health and wildlife habitat objectives. The lease prohibits double cropping and neonicotinoid-treated seed, restricts the use of Dicamba herbicide, and requires adherence to specific planting and harvesting dates for designated crops. Pioneer P63HE501 sunflower seed variety is mandatory, and sunflower fields must be maintained weed-free through pre- and post-emergent herbicide applications. The contract term runs through May 29, 2027, with provisions for field-specific management practices detailed in the comprehensive cropping plan and required services documentation.

The lease payment structure allows for cash rent or acceptable services in lieu of cash payments, with service rates reimbursed according to University of Illinois or Iowa State University Extension custom rate surveys. An irrevocable letter of credit is required to cover cash rent and estimated real estate taxes, with expiration dates of January 31, 2028 for 2027 cash rent and January 31, 2029 for real estate taxes due in 2028. Acceptable services include application of chemicals, clearing projects, construction and maintenance of field access roads, installation of drainage structures, timber stand improvement, and wetland development labor, with projects exceeding 10 percent of lease value or $10,000 requiring prior IDNR approval. The lessee must provide current valid state applicator licenses for chemical application and follow soil test maintenance levels for pH, phosphorus, and potassium as detailed in the Illinois Agronomy Handbook. The documentation includes soil sample location maps, equipment lists, chemical and fertilizer application reporting forms, and references to federal cost-share programs including USDA NRCS EQIP and CSP, as well as state incentive programs such as the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Fall Covers for Spring Savings program offering crop insurance premium discounts for cover crop acres.

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Big Bend S.F.W.A

N 27AL2025

5/29/2027 IDNR AG Lease

Site Boundary

Crop Field

ATTACHMENT A

5/29/2027 IDNR AG Lease

Site Boundary

Crop Field

5/29/2027 IDNR AG Lease

Site Boundary

Crop Field

5/29/2027 IDNR AG Lease

Site Boundary

Crop Field

5/29/2027 IDNR AG Lease

Site Boundary

Crop Field

Previously planted

Carryover

Wheat

Old Field # New Field # Acres 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032

2720-1 2720-1 10.30 CORN SUNFLOWER CORN SOYBEAN CORN SUNFLOWER

2720-12A 2720-26 12.90 SOYBEAN

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

2720-12B 2720-14 21.80 SOYBEAN

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

2720-12C 2720-15 14.70 SOYBEAN

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

2720-12D 2720-13 8.90 CORN

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-

COVER CROP

2720-16 2720-27 15.60 SOYBEAN

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

2720-17 2720-17 15.70 SOYBEAN

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

2720-18 2720-18 15.20 CORN

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-

COVER CROP

2720-19 2720-19 4.60 CORN

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-

COVER CROP

2720-2 2720-2 3.50 SOYBEAN

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT CORN SOYBEAN

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

CARRYOVER

WHEAT

2720-20 2720-20 17.50 CORN

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-

COVER CROP

2720-21 2720-21 12.60 SOYBEAN

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

SOYBEAN-COVER

CROP

CORN-COVER

CROP

2720-22 2720-22 3.20 CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN

2720-23 2720-23 3.80

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

CARRYOVER

WHEAT

CORN SOYBEAN

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT

2720-24 2720-24 4.90 CORN SOYBEAN

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT CORN SOYBEAN

2720-25 2720-25 5.70 CORN CORN SOYBEAN

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT CORN

2720-3 2720-3 6.30

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

CARRYOVER

WHEAT

CORN SOYBEAN

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT

2720-31A 2720-28 8.40 CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN

2720-31B 2720-29 13.70 CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN

2720-31C 2720-31 16.40 SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN CORN

2720-31D 2720-32 14.10 SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN CORN

2720-4 2720-4 2.80

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

CARRYOVER

WHEAT

CORN

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT CORN

2720-5 2720-5 4.00 SOYBEAN

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT CORN SOYBEAN

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

CARRYOVER

WHEAT

2720-6 2720-6 2.90 WHEAT CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN CORN

2720-7 2720-7 4.90 WHEAT CORN

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT CORN SOYBEAN

2720-8 2720-8 17.00 CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN CORN SOYBEAN

4056-4 4056-4A 4.50

CARRYOVER

WHEAT

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

CARRYOVER

WHEAT

4056-4 4056-4B 4.50

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

CARRYOVER

WHEAT

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT

SUNFLOWER-

WHEAT

WHEAT

Total Acres 270.40

Big Bend SFWA 27AL2025

See associated map for field locations Year

ATTACHMENT B

2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032

44.00 65.50 40.90 62.40 41.90 0.00

47.20 39.10 62.70 40.90 52.10 0.00

93.30 46.20 93.30 46.20 93.30 0.00

46.20 93.30 46.20 93.30 46.20 0.00

0.00 12.00 14.30 13.00 14.60 0.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

230.70 256.10 257.40 255.80 248.10 12.00

17.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12.00

12.00 14.30 13.00 14.60 12.00 0.00

10.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.30 0.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

39.70 14.30 13.00 14.60 22.30 12.00

270.40 270.40 270.40 270.40 270.40 24.00

Sun fields 2, 5 7, 24 4, 25 3, 23 2, 5

Total Leased

Acres 230.70 256.10 257.40 255.80 248.10

Total Cover

Crop Acres 139.50 139.50 139.50 139.50 139.50 % Cover Crop 0.60 0.54 0.54 0.55 0.56

SUNFLOWER

Total Acres

Non-Leased Acrers

Total Non-Leased Acres

CARRYOVER WHEAT

SUNFLOWER-WHEAT

Cover Crop Percentages

Yearly Totals

Carryover

Wheat

Total Leased Acres

SOYBEAN-COVER CROP

WHEAT

Crop

Leased Acres

CORN

SOYBEAN

CARRYOVER WHEAT

CORN-COVER CROP

AGRICULTURAL/WILDLIFE & HABITAT LAND LEASE

Lease Requirements and Services

Big Bend SFWA

27AL2025

The list below includes those actions required as part of the lease in addition to lease payments. Non- adherence to cropping plan and lease requirements and services may be cause for termination of the farm lease.

• DOUBLE CROPPING PROHIBITED

• IDNR may require the Lessee under this contract to leave all or a certain portion of the crops in the field standing without being harvested as determined below. If Lessee fails to comply with this requirement, IDNR will receive the rent per acre from Lessee as set forth in Section 2.1.2 for each acre the Lessee harvested in violation of the cropping plan.

• If Lessee fails to follow the detailed services and or dates listed in the Required Services, IDNR may cause these services to be performed at Lessee’s cost. IDNR is not required to provide notice to Lessee prior to causing the services to be performed if Lessee has not completed the services as listed in the Required Services. Services performed shall be in accordance with the University of Illinois established rates located at http://www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/manage/machinery/ or the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey located at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/crops/pdf/a3-10.pdf

• If field conditions (due to weather) do not allow for the designated crop (see cropping plan) to be planted by the counties crop insurance final planting date (as determined by the USDA Risk Management Agency *), the Lessee must contact the Site Superintendent (by email). The Lessee shall be allowed to plant an alternative crop or may be required to plant a cover crop for soil health, soil and water conservation, and wildlife benefits. Cover crop selection will be reviewed and approved by the Site Superintendent, District Wildlife Biologist, and Agricultural Lease Program Manager prior to planting. The field may be left idle if prior approved by the Site Superintendent, District Wildlife Biologist, and Agricultural Lease Program Manager. In the event a field is to be left idle, the following management practices are prohibited without approval; mowing, tillage, chemical application and/or fertilizer application.

• * https://www.rma.usda.gov/rmalocal/illinois

ATTACHMENT B

http://www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/manage/machinery/ https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/crops/pdf/a3-10.pdf https://www.rma.usda.gov/rmalocal/illinois

Required Action List

Field Number Action Crop Year Acres Applied

Is IDNR providing materials?

(Y/N)

IDNR materials to be provided (if applicable)

All

Lessee shall not use any neonicotinoid treated soybean seed with Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Clothianidin, Acetamiprid, Thiacloprid, Dinotefuran or Nitempyram insecticides

2027 - 2031 All NA NA

All The use of Dicamba or its equivalent is not allowed. 2027 - 2031 All NA NA

All

Lessee MUST follow and adhere to label directions when applying Atrazine herbicide or their equivalent

2027 - 2031 All NA NA

Sunflower / Wheat Fields

Lessee will sow wheat in the fall between September 20th and October 15th (after sunflower harvest/dove field management) and harvest the next season when plant is ripe. Use of approved pre-emergent and/or post-emergent herbicides for a clean wheat crop are encouraged.

2027-2031 See

Cropping Plan

NA NA

Sunflower Fields

Lessee will plant sunflowers no later than May 10th each spring on fields designated in the cropping plan spreadsheet. Lessee is responsible for properly fertilizing soil and maintaining PH. Lessee will purchase the seed and chemical and is responsible for all costs of seed and chemical associated with sunflower management. Pioneer P63HE501 variety is required for this lease.

THE SUNFLOWERS MUST BE

CLEAN AND WEED FREE. This can be attained through pre- and/or post-emergent use of herbicide.

Acceptable herbicides, per seed bag information, used at labeled rates allowed on this lease. Row spacing will not exceed 30 inches.

2027-2031 See

Cropping Plan

Lessee’s Responsibility

Lessee’s Responsibility

Sunflower Fields

The Site Superintendent will be notified when the sunflower planting is completed each year with seed tag provided as proof of variety. Lessee will work with site on strip mowing sunflower fields.

2027-2031 See

Cropping Plan

Lessee’s Responsibility

Lessee’s Responsibility

Field Number Action Crop Year Acres Applied

Is IDNR providing materials?

(Y/N)

IDNR materials to be provided (if applicable)

This will be completed 2 weeks prior to September 1st dove season opening.

Cover Crop Fields

Plant a minimum of one species from the approved seed list on designated fields as indicated on the cropping plan.

• Approved seeding methods; pre-harvest aerial or broadcast (highboy), drill or broadcast post-harvest.

• Cannot terminate prior to March 15, cannot roller crimp past 5/15.

• All costs related to planting and terminating the cover crop is the lessee’s responsibility.

2027-2031 See

Cropping Plan

Lessee’s Responsibility

Lessee’s Responsibility

Attachment C Acceptable Services

State of Illinois IFB Contract: Acceptable Services V.23.4

ACCEPTABLE SERVICES IN LIEU OF CASH PAYMENTS

All lease items are an example and are non-inclusive items (items MUST be approved by the Site Superintendent, District Wildlife Biologist and Agricultural Lease Program Manager) to be used by the Lessee on/or for the benefit of the lease site.

The following service items (labor) are considered acceptable as the Department’s lease payment if provided directly by the Lessee, using equipment listed on the equipment list (Attachment G) contained within the prospective Lessee’s bid packet. The Comprehensive Environmental Review Process (CERP) must be utilized for any management activity that could potentially affect threatened & endangered species-natural areas and nature preserves, wetlands, cultural resources and other management activity that affects soil disturbance, water flow including quality and air quality. Refer to the Department’s CERP manual for applicable exemptions and procedures (will be provided to the awarded Lessee upon request). If the Lessee is requested to perform any of the acceptable services listed below, the Lessee shall be reimbursed in accordance with the University of Illinois established rates located at http://www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/manage/machinery/ or or Iowa State Extension at 2026 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/crops/pdf/a3-10.pdf. Lessee shall receive prior Agency approval for acceptable service projects which may exceed an accumulative total of 10% of the lease value or $10,000.

Application of Chemicals - purchased by the site for control of noxious, exotic and invasive weeds, vegetation control, brush and general agricultural purposes. The Lessee shall provide a copy of his current valid state applicators license to Site Manager.

Clearing Projects- renovation of wildlife management lands by removing brush or trees.

Construction and Maintenance - of field access roads for wildlife management purposes.

Installation or Maintenance of Culverts - for field access roads, water management and hunter parking lots. (Lessee must obtain all applicable permits are acquired from State, county or township jurisdictions.)

Fertilizer & Agriculture Lime Application - on food plots, sunflower fields, waterfowl management fields, grass & legume and other wildlife management plantings.

Field Tillage, Preparation & Planting Services - provided for wildlife food, legume and grass plantings.

Labor - for boundary fencing, to install boundary “No Hunting” signs and regulations signs, controlling noxious weeds or brush, for repair and maintenance of water control for wetland management programs (i.e., tubes, gates, emergency pump rental), brush-pile construction, fire and hunter access trails, removal of fences on or along crop fields, tree planting and direct seeding preparation and planting.

Mowing - for specific wildlife management purposes; access, vegetation control, hunting strips and field renovation.

Minor Hazard Removal – removal of stumps, foundations or equipment.

Repair and Maintenance of Drainage Structures - (terraces, waterways, water control structures, trenches, etc.)

http://www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/manage/machinery/

Attachment C Acceptable Services

State of Illinois IFB Contract: Acceptable Services V.23.4

Hauling Rock and/or Spreading of Rock - purchased by the Agency.

Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) - TSI labor provided by the Lessee to benefit wildlife management objectives as prescribed in the wildlife management plan (will be provided to awarded Lessee upon request).

Wetland Developments - labor required to construct wetlands and ponds planned and approved through the site’s annual plan of work process.

RE: Irrevocable Letter of Credit Number: _ Date: _ Expiration Date:

IDNR Lease Number: ________

To Whom it may Concern:

We here by establish in your favor our Irrevocable Letter of Credit No. for the following specific payment:

The sum of for cash rent

Up to the sum of for real Estate Taxes, penalties, and interest.

We hereby authorize you to draw on us for the account of up to an amount of _ with an expiration date of January 31, 2028, for the 2027 CASH RENT and an estimated amount of _ with an expiration date of January 31, 2029, for the 2027 REAL ESTATE TAXES due and payable in 2028.

Available by your draft(s) at sight accompanied by the following documents:

Your signed statement certifying "The amount drawn represents sums owed by _

Draft(s) drawn under this credit must be marked:

Drawn under the Bank Letter of Credit No. dated ,20_ .

We hereby agree with you that all draft(s) drawn under and in compliance with the terms of this credit will be duly honored on delivery of documents as specified if presented at this office on or before of January 31, 2028, for the 2027 CASH RENT and January 31, 2029, for the 2027 REAL ESTATE TAXES due and payable in 2028.

Sincerely, Attachment D

Letter of Irrevocable Credit "Sample"

Program Manager Agriculture/Wildlife & Habitat Lease Management Il Department of Natural Resources One Natural Resources Way Springfield, Illinois 62702

Attachment E Rate of Chemical and Fertilizer Application Forms

State of Illinois IFB Contract: Rate of Chemical and Fertilizer Forms V.23.4

Agricultural Chemical Application Report

Date of Application

Product Trade Name

Application Rate Crop Treated Location where product was used/Field Number

Name and Address of applicator and (if applicable) supervisor

Attachment E Rate of Chemical and Fertilizer Application Forms

State of Illinois IFB Contract: Rate of Chemical and Fertilizer Forms V.23.4

Agricultural Fertilizer Application Report

Soil Test Results Date of Application Field Number where applied

Application Rate Per Acre

Fertilizer/Lime Applied

Attachment F Agriculture Seed Application Report

State of Illinois IFB Contract: Agriculture Seed Application Report V.23.4

Field Number where applied

Seed Brand and Variety #

Attachment G Equipment List

State of Illinois IFB Contract: Equipment List V.23.4

YEAR MAKE MODEL QUANTITY

Attachment H Agronomy Handbook

State of Illinois IFB Contract: Agronomy Handbook V.23.4

The Agronomy Handbook can be accessed at the following web address:

http://extension.cropsci.illinois.edu/handbook/.

Relevant information from the Handbook related to soil levels is also attached here in “Attachment H”.

http://extension.cropsci.illinois.edu/handbook/

State of Illinois IFB Contract: Agronomy Handbook V.23.4

IDNR Ag Lease - Min Soil Test Levels for Ag Fields

Soil pH Maintenance Levels – 6.2 goal, 6.0 – 6.5 acceptable

Phosphorus (P) Maintenance Levels Soil P Supplying Regions

Units High Medium Low

Minimum Soil Level 30 40 45 lbs/ac

Recommended Levels Corn/Beans 40 45 50 lbs/ac

Recommended Levels Wheat/Oats 60 67.5 75 lbs/ac

Potassium (K) Maintenance Levels Soil K Exchange Capacity Regions

Units High (>12 mEq) Low (<12 mEq)

Minimum Soil Level 300 260 lbs/ac

Above with No Addition 400 360 lbs/ac

Levels >100 lb. above Min Replace Yield K Replace Yield K lbs/ac

Levels Below Minimum Replace Yield K + Build to Min

• Adjustments needed based on location and timing of sampling. See Attachments.

State of Illinois IFB Contract: Agronomy Handbook V.23.4

Phosphorus (P) Maintenance Levels

Illinois Agronomy Handbook (Ch 8, 100)

Minimum soil test levels required to produce optimal crop yields vary depending on the crop to be grown and the soil’s P-supplying power. Near maximal yields of corn and soybeans are obtained when levels of available P are maintained at 30, 40, and 45 pounds per acre for soils in the high, medium, and low P-supplying regions, respectively. Since these are minimal values, to ensure soil P availability will not restrict crop yield it is recommended that soil test results be built up to 40, 45, and 50 pounds per acre for soils in the high, medium, and low P-supplying regions, respectively. This is a practical approach because P is not easily lost from the soil, other than through crop removal or soil erosion. To compensate for the higher P requirements of wheat and oats, it is suggested that 1.5 times the amount of expected P removal be applied prior to seeding these crops.

When soil test levels are between the minimum and 20 pounds above the minimum (40 to 60, 45 to 65, and 50 to 70 for the high, medium, and low P-supplying regions, respectively), apply enough to replace expected removal by the crop. When soil test levels are below the desired values (40, 45, and 50 for the high, medium, and low P-supplying regions, respectively), it is suggested that enough fertilizer be added to build the test to the desired goal and to replace what the crop will remove (as described in the previous paragraph). At this test level, the yield of the crop will be affected by the amount of P applied that year.

On average, Illinois soils require 9 pounds of P2 O5 per acre to increase the P1 soil test by 1 pound. The recommended rate of buildup for P is thus nine times the difference between the soil test goal and the actual soil test value. For a typical 4-year buildup program, divide the rate by 4 to determine the annual rate. Because the 9-pound rate is an average for Illinois soils, some soils will fail to reach the desired goal in 4 years with P2 O5 applied at this rate, and others will exceed the goal.

Potassium (K) Maintenance Levels

State of Illinois IFB Contract: Agronomy Handbook V.23.4

Illinois Agronomy Handbook (Ch 8, 103)

Soils with a CEC less than 12 milliequivalents per 100 grams are classified as having low capacity, while soils with values equal to or greater than 12 milliequivalents per 100 grams are considered to have high capacity. Tests on soil samples that are taken before May 1 or after September 30 should be adjusted downward as follows: subtract 30 for the dark-colored soils in central and northern Illinois; subtract 45 for the light-colored soils in central and northern Illinois and for fine-textured bottomland soils; subtract 60 for the medium- and light-colored soils in southern Illinois.

Minimum soil test levels required to produce optimal crop yields vary depending on the crop to be grown and the soil’s CEC. As with P, the only significant loss of soil-applied K is through crop removal or soil erosion, so to ensure that K availability will not limit crop yields it is recommended that soil test levels be slightly higher than that required for maximum yield. For corn and soybean, it is recommended to have 260 and 300 pounds of exchangeable K per acre for soils in the low and high CEC regions, respectively.

No K additions are suggested if test levels are above 360 and 400 for the low and high CEC regions, unless crops that remove large amounts of K (such as alfalfa or corn silage) are being grown. When soil test levels are between the minimum and 100 pounds above the minimum (260 to 360 and 300 to 400 for the low and high capacity, respectively), apply enough to replace what the crop to be grown is expected to remove using values from Table 8.6. When soil test levels are below the desired values (260 and 300 for the low and high capacity, respectively), it is suggested that enough fertilizer be added to build the test to the desired goal and to replace what the crop will remove (as described in the previous paragraph). On average most Illinois soils require 4 pounds of K2 O per acre to increase the K exchangeable soil test by 1 pound. The recommended rate of buildup for K is thus 4 times the difference between the soil test goal and the actual soil test value. For a typical 4-year buildup program, divide the rate by 4 to determine the annual rate.

Soil Sample Locations

5/29/2026 IDNR AG Lease

Soil Sample Locations Site

Boundary Crop Field

ATTACHMENT I

Soil Sample Locations

5/29/2026 IDNR AG Lease

Soil Sample Locations Site

Boundary Crop Field

ATTACHMENT I

Cover Crop Programs

EQIP - USDA NRCS

• Financial assistance for cover crop establishment

• Cost-share for addressing resource concerns

• Conservation planning with NRCS staff

• Improves soil health and organic matter

• Reduces erosion and nutrient loss

• Supports water quality improvements

• Can be used with other conservation practices

• Contact: Local NRCS Service Center

CSP - USDA NRCS

• Annual stewardship payments

• Rewards existing conservation efforts

• Supports advanced cover crop management

• Encourages multi-species cover crop systems

• Five-year contracts with renewal opportunities

• Improves long-term farm resilience

• Requires enhancement of existing conservation practices

• Contact: Local NRCS Service Center

Fall Covers for Spring Savings - IDOA

• Up to $5 per acre crop insurance premium discount

• Available on eligible cover crop acres

• Designed for acres not receiving EQIP or CSP incentives

• Requires FSA certification of cover crop acres

• Money is applied direction to crop insurance policy

• First-come, first-served enrollment

• Enroll easily Online once program opens in December

• https://agr.illinois.gov

FLASH Groups - American Farmland Trust

• Farmer-led conservation networks

• Peer-to-peer learning opportunities

• Payment assistance for cover crop seed mixes and establishment/application through participating FLASH initiatives

• Supports practical cover crop adoption

• Questions or participation: American Farmland Trust

• farmland.org/flash

• ckula@farmland.org

Benefits of Cover Crops: Improve Soil Health • Protect Water Quality • Reduce Erosion • Increase Drought Resilience • Improve Long-Term Productivity

ATTACHMENT J

North Central

South

North

South Central

Illinois Cover Crop Quick Reference Guide

*Information taken from Midwest Cover Crop Council.

Planting date guidelines are based on a single county in each zone.

Zones are determined based on 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness zone map.

For the most specific recommendation for your location, please visit:

https://covercroptool.midwestcovercrops.org/covercroptool/

A general overview of planting information for common cover crops.

Questions? Contact Torey Colburn, AFT Midwest Conservation Agronomist tcolburn@farmland.org 815-315-0192

ATTACHMENT J

27AL2025 BigBend S.F.W.A TRS.pdf
Final 27AL2025 Big Bend SFWA Cropping 2027 thru 2031
Final 27AL2025 Big Bend SFWA Lease Requirements
FY27 Attachments C thru J
FY27 Attachments C thru J.pdf
Attachments C thru H.pdf
Items that Qualify and Explanation: Click here to enter text
ACCEPTABLE SERVICES IN LIEU OF CASH PAYMENTS

letter of credit example 2027 crop year

27AL Attachment J (2)
Attachment J CoverCropPrograms
Attachment K Illinois Cover Crop Quick Reference Guide

27AL2025 BigBend S.F.W.A Soil Samples Map

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .