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BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, a leading agricultural ecosystem services program, announced the addition of 34 Illinois counties to its area of eligible cropland for 2023, making all Illinois farmers now eligible for enrollment in the program.
The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund provides payment to farmers for environmental outcomes that result from implementing conservation practices.
In 2022, the SWOF provided an average of $34 per acre to farmers who transitioned to on-farm conservation practices that yield outcomes like carbon sequestration and water quality improvements.
New conservation practices that qualify could include tillage reductions, implementing cover crops and extending crop rotations.
When implemented with another one of these practices, fertilization management can also yield environmental outcomes.
“The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund has been so helpful in getting this new phase of conservation practices off the ground through both the financial incentives and the agronomic support I have received,” said Joe Paulson, a participating Illinois farmer.
“If you’re looking to get into cover crops or are curious about it, SWOF is a fantastic resource to help you get started. And you get paid. It’s a win-win.”
The Illinois Soybean Association and program participants believe Illinois farmers will also see soil improvements.
“As the most farmer-friendly ecosystem services program in the industry today, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver practical and flexible conservation agronomy support to farmers to enhance the value of their land for years to come,” said Adam Kiel, SWOF executive vice president.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and several private companies, including PepsiCo, Cargill, Renewable Energy Group, Ingredion, Target, JBS and Bartlett, are partnering with the SWOF to encourage farmer adoption of conservation practices that generate verifiable gains in carbon reduction and water quality.
“We are thrilled to work with our partners to provide new conservation incentives to even more Illinois farmers and to deliver greenhouse gas and water quality improvements on farms,” said Dan Yeoman, SWOF managing director.
Farmers or landowners interested in enrolling in the program can do so through the SWOF website — www.theoutcomesfund.com — or by contacting a member of their field program team at contactus@theoutcomesfund.com.
Farmers may also contact Megan Miller, ISA agronomy programs manager, at megan.miller@ilsoy.org.
About SWOF
The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund provides financial incentives to farmers for implementing on-farm conservation practices that yield positive environmental outcomes like carbon sequestration and water quality improvement. It provides new market opportunities and revenue streams for farmers by selling these environmental outcomes to the public and private beneficiaries. The SWOF is managed by AgOutcomes, a subsidiary of the Iowa Soybean Association.