SPRINGFIELD – Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) are inviting area farmers to apply to the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s “Fall Covers for Spring Savings” cover crop program to receive a discounted crop insurance rate in spring 2021.

“I’m thrilled to see this program return after seeing a lot of success in its inaugural season,” Bennett said. “This program serves as an important tool to help farmers as they increase cover crop acres beyond what might be eligible for other state and federal programs.”

Bennett and Manar worked closely with the Department of Agriculture last year to develop the program, which allows eligible applicants to receive a $5 per acre premium discount on the following year’s crop insurance invoice for every acre of cover crop enrolled and verified in the program.

“The Fall Covers for Spring Savings Program has given our farmers the chance to make additional long- term investments in the health of the finest soil in the world,” Manar said. “By continuing to prioritize this program in this year's state budget, Illinois will remain an agricultural standard bearer for decades to come."