Partners for Conservation (PFC) is administered by the Clinton County SWCD with funds provided from the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA). PFC provides cost share assistance and other financial incentives for conservation practices.

Eligible conservation practices include but are not limited to: cover crops, not till/strip till, conservation cover (pollinators), well decommissioning, filter strips, critical area planting, and more.  Once a design is created it is accompanied by a cost estimate for the project.  PFC allows SWCDs to reimburse landowners for up to 75% of the actual cost, not to exceed the average county cost. If you are interested in learning more about the program or if you have a site that needs attention, contact our office at (618) 526-7815 ext. 3. The work must be completed by fall of 2024 or Spring of 2025. PFC projects are subject to prevailing wage requirements. 

This Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Cover Crop Premium Discount Program is being offered to promote additional acres of cover crops that are not covered by other state and federal program incentives (e.g., EQIP, CSP and state cost share). The program is applicable for acreage in Illinois seeded to cover crops in the fall of 2024 that will be planted to an insurable crop in 2025. Eligible applicants will receive a premium discount up to a $5 per acre on the following year's crop insurance, depending on their crop insurance policy, for every cover crop acre enrolled and verified in the program. Apply here! 

Start your Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) application today. CCSWCD provides administrative assistance to NRCS which provides a range of conservation programs, initiative and resources that include but are not limited to: EQUIP and CSP.

If you are interested in applying for any of the programs and initiatives offered by the NRCS, our office can assist you with the application process. There are many programs and initiative offered through our contacts in the larger conservation network. Current opportunities include:

Biofuel pilot on marginal lands offered through American Farmland Trust and Argonne Labs.

Small scale grain production with incentive payments for cover crops. 

Carbon credit programs paying $15-$35/acre.

Streambank erosion study through University of Illinois 

Envirothon- America's largest environmental competition for high school students. 

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The Envirothon® is an environmental and natural resources conservation problem-solving,  leadership experience and academic competition for secondary school (high school) students (grades 9-12 or ages 14-19) across the United States, Canada, China, and Singapore. Incorporating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles, hands-on learning, and outdoor field experiences, the Envirothon fosters student learning in the areas of AQUATIC ECOLOGY, FORESTRY, SOILS and LAND USE, WILDLIFE, and CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

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Students are challenged to develop critical thinking skills to create inventive solutions to the complex local and global environmental and natural resource issues facing our world today. With Envirothon, students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to educate others, inspire action in their local communities, and promote a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

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The Envirothon is managed and directed by the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) and its NCF-Envirothon Operating Committee. Read more here!

Our office is exploring new programming to serve the conservation needs of our urban clients. Consider joining our local led work group, which meets quarterly if you are interested.