Kane County Soil & Water District Helps Local Farmers Through Climate Smart Agriculture Program

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Pre-enrollment begins October 15

Applications open October 27–31, 2025
Begin your application by emailing: contact@kanedupageswcd.org

A new state program is helping farmers in Kane County protect soil and water while keeping local agriculture strong. The Climate Smart Agriculture Program, offered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, provides payments to farmers who use conservation tillage methods that improve soil health and reduce erosion.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for each county, with a 3,000-acre cap per applicant. The Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is the first stop for anyone interested in applying. Staff can help with eligibility questions and walk applicants through the process.

Farmers can receive $35 per acre per year for three years if they begin or continue no-till or strip-till practices starting in fall 2025. The goal is to make it easier for producers to adopt methods that benefit both their operations and the environment.

Payment Details:

• $35 per acre, each year, for three years

• Up to 3,000 acres per applicant (maximum $315,000)

• Payments will be issued by the local SWCD once planting is verified

No-till and strip-till are two conservation methods that reduce how much soil is disturbed during planting.

• No-till means planting new crops directly into last year’s residue without turning the soil over. This keeps the soil covered, helps it hold water, and prevents erosion.

• Strip-till prepares only narrow rows where seeds will be planted, leaving the rest of the field untouched. This warms the soil more quickly in spring while still protecting most of the ground surface.

These approaches keep nutrients in the soil, limit runoff into local streams, and help farms save on fuel and labor. The benefits extend beyond the farm, improving local water quality and reducing flooding and sediment in rivers and creeks.

Key Dates

• Pre-Enrollment Opens: Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.

• Applications Accepted: Monday, October 27, 2025, starting at 8:00 a.m.

• Deadline to Apply: Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for each county, with a 3,000-acre cap per applicant. The Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is the first stop for anyone interested in applying. Staff can help with eligibility questions and walk applicants through the process.

Note: The Kane-DuPage SWCD office is temporarily closed to in-person visits during the government shutdown, but staff are assisting applicants by email.
Email contact@kanedupageswcd.org for support.

After contacting the SWCD, applicants can pre-enroll online at https://apps.agr.illinois.gov/CPRG/index.php beginning October 15 and submit their completed application between October 27 and 31.

The program is open to farmers and landowners who will use no-till or strip-till for three consecutive years on the same fields. Land cannot be enrolled in other cost-share programs such as EQIP or CSP. Participants will complete a yearly soil health assessment through the Illinois STAR Program.

Healthy soil supports clean water, strong crops, and a resilient local food system. This program brings new resources to Kane County that help protect farmland for the long term. The funding comes through Illinois’ Climate Pollution Reduction Grant initiative, which invests in conservation, clean energy, and community resilience across the state.

For Kane County residents, this effort means more than healthier fields. It supports local farms, strengthens the regional food system, and improves water quality for everyone who depends on the Fox River and its tributaries.