The Farmers for Soil Health (FSH) initiative will help farmers with cost and technical assistance to plant cover crops. It aims to double cover crop acreage to 30 million acres by 2030.

FSH is a partnership between the United Soybean Board, the National Pork Board, and the National Corn Growers Association. It is being funded with a grant from the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Program. Other organizations participating in the program include the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Soil Health Institute, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The initiative covers 20 states while supporting soil health, environmental benefits and farm resilience. Farmers receive financial incentives and regionally coordinated technical assistance. The program also includes a digital marketplace for sustainably produced farm products. Enrollment involves a three-year contract, with payments up to $50 per acre over three years. Enrolled fields must not have grown cover crops the year before enrollment. Verification is through satellite imagery.

Read more on the Farmers for Soil Health initiative here.