(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo) – The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, a leading agricultural ecosystem services program, announced that farmers from 49 additional Missouri counties are eligible to enroll in its program. The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund provides payment to farmers for environmental outcomes that result from implementing conservation practices. The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, the state’s soybean checkoff program, is in its second year of assisting with this project.
In 2022, the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund provided an average of $34 per acre to farmers who transitioned to on-farm conservation practices that yield outcomes like carbon sequestration and water quality improvements. New conservation practices that qualify could include tillage reductions, implementing cover crops and extending crop rotations. When implemented with another one of these practices, fertilization management can also yield environmental outcomes.
“This program is straightforward. No gimmicks, no games and you know exactly what you’re going to earn from the start,” said Travis Milne, participating Missouri farmer. “The program gives you half the money up front instead of making you wait. It’s been an easy process and there are no downfalls.”
USDA and several private companies, including PepsiCo, Cargill, Renewable Energy Group, Ingredion, Target, JBS and Bartlett, are partnering with the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund to encourage farmer adoption of conservation practices that generate verifiable gains in carbon reduction and water quality.
“We are thrilled to work with our partners to provide new conservation incentives to even more Missouri farmers and to deliver greenhouse gas and water quality improvements on farms,” said Dan Yeoman, Soil and Water Outcomes Fund managing director.
Adam Kiel, executive vice president of the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, added, “As the most farmer friendly ecosystem services program in the industry today we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver practical and flexible conservation agronomy support to farmers to enhance the value of their land for years to come.”
Missouri Soybeans and program participants believe Missouri farmers will also see soil improvements.
“It may take some time, but practices like cover crops and minimum tillage will help with soil health,” said Adam Peters, a farmer enrolled in the program. “I would tell anyone on the fence that if you’re leaning toward enrolling in a carbon program, go with the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund because of the team and the support they provide.”
A map of cropland areas in Missouri that are eligible for 2023 enrollment is available on the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund website, www.theoutcomesfund.com.
Farmers or landowners interested in enrolling in the program can do so through the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund website or by contacting a member of their conservation agronomy team at contactus@theoutcomesfund.com. Farmers may also contact Missouri Soybeans director of conservation agriculture and farm operations, Clayton Light, at clight@mosoy.org.