MADISON, Wis. – In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will open the application period for crop insurance premium rebates for planting cover crops at 12 p.m. on December 2, 2024. 

There is $800,000, or 160,000 acres of coverage, to be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Recipients will receive a $5 per acre rebate on their summer 2025 crop insurance premium for acres planted with cover crops in 2024, then planted to an insurable crop the following year.

Producers who received state or federal cost-sharing to plant cover crops in 2024 are not eligible for this year’s program. Applicants will need to use their FSA-578 form to complete the application, and there is no limit on acres an applicant can apply for. Applicants should keep seed receipts and planting records as DATCP will conduct audits to ensure cover crops were planted.

The web-based rebate application, information about eligibility, and FAQs will be made available on covercroprebate.wi.gov. The application will remain open until 12 p.m. on January 31, 2025 or until program funding is exhausted. A copy of the application questions and instructions is currently available for reference on DATCP’s website. Questions should be directed to DATCPCC@wisconsin.gov

For more information on conservation programming, visit datcp.wi.gov or sign up for email updates.