Missouri CRCL Project

Missouri Climate-Resilient Crop and Livestock (CRCL) Project

Incentive payments that support adoption of climate-smart practices for Missouri producers

The Center for Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Missouri has received a $25 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to lead the Missouri Climate-Resilient Crop and Livestock (CRCL) Project.  Over the course of five years, this project will assist Missouri producers by providing incentive payments that encourage the adoption of a wide range of climate-smart practices to create more resilient crop and livestock systems. To reach a wide range of farmers, we’re introducing eight tailored incentive payment initiatives.

The Missouri CRCL Project is led by the Center for Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Missouri, in collaboration with 14 partners from across the state. This joint effort will increase access to technical assistance and resources to help farmers adopt climate-smart practices.

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Learn about the eight incentive payment programs

Sign-up Period: TBD

1

Explore a proven system by planting cereal rye in the fall before a soybean crop.

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Payment per acre: $30

Sign-up Period: June 3 – July 31, 2024

3

Add biodiversity with one of two fall-planted mixes before a non-legume cash crop such as corn, sorghum, or cotton.

Payment per acre: $40

Sign-up Period: June 3 – July 31, 2024

Late Termination 2024

Allow additional spring growth of cover crops by delaying termination until at least May 1.

Payment per acre: $15

Sign-up Period: June 3 – July 31, 2024

4

Combine livestock and row crops by allowing livestock to graze cover cropped fields.

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Payment per acre: $20

Sign-up Period: June 3 – July 31, 2024

5

Incentive payment for livestock producers to plant trees on pastures to expand Missouri woodland area and provide shade for livestock

Payment per acre: $250

Sign-up Period: Open July 19th and will accept applications on a rolling basis through Year 1

16 1

Incentive payment to implement regenerative grazing with biodiverse forage species, managed intensive grazing, and low-cost watering and fencing approaches

Payment per acre: $50

Sign-up Period: November 1, 2024 – January 17, 2025

15 2

Incentive payment to implement appropriate nutrient management practices that include use of the 4R nutrient stewardship approach, and split-nitrogen application

Payment per acre: $20

Sign-up Period: August 1 – September 2024

17 1

Program for small and underserved farmers to implement climate-smart fieldscapes, comprised of at least three stacked climate-smart practices that will serve as demonstration sites

$10,000 spread across 3-year contract

Sign-up Period: November 1, 2024 – January 17, 2025

What is the application and award process?

Each practice will have its own annual deadline and application process. Farmers who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for their program of interest using the web-based Missouri CRCL Project application powered by Farmraise, a digital platform that connects farmers to funding opportunities and financial tracking services. Please note that this is free for CRCL Project applicants and a paid membership is NOT required.

The general application process includes:

1. Application: Use the Missouri CRCL application to create an account and apply for the incentive program you are interested in.  

2. Decision: Some practices operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The respective team responsible for each practice will review each application and send you a response to the registered email address.

3. Implementation: The timeline for implementation and payments will be communicated to you if you are approved for the incentive payment.

4. Confirm practice implementation and provide reporting information. Once the practice is implemented, you must provide the following prior to being issued a payment:

  • Upload a photograph of the practice implemented in the field OR a receipt of the materials purchased to implement the practice (for a list of materials that are appropriate for each practice can be found on each incentive payment program website) through their application account.
  • Complete the reporting information (required by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). For more information reguarding what reporting information will be collected and other things to know, visit What to expect.
  • A subset of all participants may also be asked to have soil samples taken on their field.
  • A subset of all participants will receive a site visit for verification.

5. Receive payment. Once you have provided all of the requested information, the University of Missouri will issue their payment.

Apply now!

Use the web-based Missouri CRCL Project application to create an account and apply for the incentive program you are interested in.

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Do You Qualify?

This project is for Missouri producers wanting to implement climate-smart practices. Some incentive payment programs may have eligibility criteria, but in general, you can apply for the Missouri CRCL Project if:

  • The farm/fields you wish to enroll are in Missouri.
  • You have a Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm number (also including tract and field numbers) established for the land in which you wish to enroll.  If you do not have one, learn more here about what this is and how to apply for one.
  • You have forms AD-2047 and AD-1026 on file with the FSA office. If unsure, contact FSA to either complete, confirm or update these forms.  
  • You are a current citizen of the U.S. or a lawful alien possessing a valid I-551 (Form I-551 is the formal designation of a permanent resident card (also known as a green card).
  • The fields you wish to enroll in are not currently enrolled in any other financial incentive program for the same practice, such as Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) or Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). (Note: although you cannot have duplicate payments for the same practice, you may be eligible for a complementary practice payment!).
  • You have full operational control of the field you wish to enroll, which grants you the capacity to independently implement the desired practices and engage in farming activities.
  • If you are approved, you must be prepared to supply additional information required by USDA about your farm before the incentive payment is issued to you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much can a farmer receive in incentive payments?

Each farmer can receive up to $10,000 maximum per practice per enrollment period, $20,000 maximum over the lifetime of project.

If I have already used cover crops before, can I still apply for the cover crops program?

For Year 1 applications, producers are allowed to enroll in the program even if they have tried a given practice in the past. However, you may not be simultaneously enrolled in another payment program for the same practice on the same field.

I applied to one Missouri CRCL Project incentive payment program. Can I apply for another incentive practice program as well?

In the Cover Crops Incentive payment programs, you can apply for different planting programs (Soy-Rye or Diverse Covers) on different fields. You can also choose to add the complimentary programs of Late Termination and/or Cover Crop Grazing on the same fields. You will select these options within the same application.

However, at present you cannot apply for both the Grow Your Edges-Silvopasture incentive payment program and the Cover Crop incentive payment programs.

This may change in future years, but for now, please choose the program that is best for you!

I submitted an application, but realized I made a mistake. Can I revise my application?

If you want to make changes to your applications, please contact us at mocrcl@missouri.edu. We will help you revise your application.

Which types of practices can be combined?

A few incentive practices can easily complement each other, including:

Cover crops: If you apply for either “Soy-rye cover crops” or “Diverse covers” you can apply for an additional practice of “Late termination” and “Cover crop grazing”. 

Climate-smart fieldscapes are an opportunity for small and underserved farmers to implement multiple climate-smart practices on one area! 

Remember that each applicant can only receive up to to $10,000 payment each year and $20,000 over the project lifetime (5-years). 

Do I need to create a user account in the Missouri CRCL Project Application in order to apply for the incentive payments?

Yes. You will apply for an account through the Missouri CRCL Project’s FarmRaise application. This will allow you to start, save and submit applications, track your application status, and is where you will upload the verification information required for participation.

Who is FarmRaise and how is my data being handled?

FarmRaise is a digital platform that connects farmers to funding opportunities and financial tracking services. Data gathered during your participation will be used solely for the purposes of the Missouri CRCL Project and will not be shared with third parties.

What do I need to do to receive a payment?

Please note that this project is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Partnerships for Climate-smart Commodities program. The USDA requires that we collect additional information regarding your farm and farm practices. This information will be gathered before being issued your payment.

Have questions about the Missouri CRCL Project? Contact us at mocrcl@missouri.edu!

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