Ohio growers have enrolled just under 24,000 acres in the Farmers for Soil Health program this year — roughly double the 2025 crop-year total — as $35-per-acre payments draw first-time cover crop adopters across more than 18 counties.

The initiative, led nationally by commodity organizations and backed in Ohio by The Nature Conservancy, the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association and the Ohio Soybean Council, pays farmers $35 an acre for up to 2,000 acres under one-year contracts. Jessica D'Ambrosio, Ohio agriculture project director for The Nature Conservancy, said the short commitment lowers the barrier for growers testing cover crops for the first time.

"It's a one-year contract, so that's a really good opportunity to just dip your toe in the water and try it out," she said.

The program targets corn, soybean, wheat, cotton and grain sorghum acres — commodity crops that account for more than half of U.S. cropland and an even larger share of Ohio acreage. Checkoff organizations behind the effort cited a stark adoption gap.

"The checkoff organizations recognized that only 5% to 8% of those acres currently use cover crops and focus on soil health," D'Ambrosio said. "They set out to invest in education and incentives that would help those growers improve soil health, sustainability and production on those acres."

No system changes required

Enrollment is open to any size operation, and D'Ambrosio stressed the program fits existing management rather than replacing it.

"It is open to any size acreage, but it is designed to work with the tillage and nutrient management plan of those commodity crop acres," she said. "You don't have to change your current tillage system, your current management system or your nutrient management system to participate."

While enrollment centers on corn, soybean and wheat acres, the education component reaches beyond those three commodities. "Even if you're not growing corn, soybeans and wheat and you're interested in soil health, the investment in education and bringing that information to more of Ohio's growers can really apply to more diverse farm operations around the state," she said.

The agronomic case rests on measurable outcomes. Healthier soils help producers manage nutrients more efficiently, improve water-holding capacity during dry periods, reduce erosion and suppress weeds — potentially cutting fertilizer and herbicide costs.

"We're hearing from farmers that improving soil health really helps them manage their operation, meet their goals and navigate these rising input costs," D'Ambrosio said.

New technology on trial

One enrolled Ohio farmer plans to use the payment to offset costs and uncertainty as he experiments with drone-seeded cover crops for the first time.

"He's going to use the incentive to help cover some of those additional costs or uncertainty by trying out this new technology," D'Ambrosio said.

Drone seeding matters because increasingly unpredictable weather can keep traditional equipment out of fields during critical establishment windows. "If a program like this can offer a little bit of help, a little bit of a boost, then it really helps overcome some of those challenges that farmers might have in wanting to try it or stick with it over time," she said.

Peer testimony is shifting mindsets among hesitant producers. "The misconception is that they can't do it, or it can't fit the way they currently farm," D'Ambrosio said. "We have more and more farmers stepping forward and sharing their successes, sharing their failures even, and sharing how they manage the timing, the weather changes, and the input costs."

Outreach push toward 65,000 acres

Program leaders set a 65,000-acre enrollment goal and acknowledge the challenge of reaching enough farmers. To widen awareness, they have partnered with the Ohio No-Till Council, Conservation Action Project, independent agronomists and Ohio Farmers Advancing Regenerative Methods.

"We want to emphasize education, outreach and technical assistance," D'Ambrosio said. "We're trying to create better opportunities to work with our partner organizations to bring that information to more farmers."

Many growers first encounter soil health practices through H2Ohio, their local soil and water conservation district, or field days before seeking additional information through Farmers for Soil Health.

D'Ambrosio encouraged interested growers to attend upcoming educational events, including Ohio No-Till Council events scheduled throughout August and September, where program staff will answer questions and help farmers get started.

With enrollment doubling year over year and payments covering up to 2,000 acres per operation, Ohio growers weighing a first cover crop trial have a low-risk window to test the practice before committing to longer-term changes.