Grown Climate Smart (The DeLong Co.)

Grown Climate Smart is a farmer incentive program run by The DeLong Co., Inc. and backed by USDA funding. It pays growers annual per-acre payments to adopt and maintain cover crops, reduced or no-till, and nutrient management plans. Grain from enrolled acres goes into a supply chain for brands that sell sustainably grown products. The program continues under USDA's Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative.

• Farmers in the program's eligible states.

• Grain grown on enrolled acres must be delivered to a DeLong Co., Inc. facility, and agronomy inputs should go through DeLong where feasible.

• Fields must be HEL and wetlands compliant.

• The practices on enrolled acres can't currently be, or previously have been, enrolled in another federally funded program unless you add an enhancement to the practice.

• No minimum or maximum acreage.

• Annual per-acre payments for verified practices, subject to program terms and available funding.

• Contracts last one year and end with the calendar year; you re-enroll each year.

• Grazing or harvesting cover crops for forage or grain is not allowed.

Apply through the 2026 Grown Climate Smart online application. The program has reached capacity, so new applications are going on a waitlist; Grown Climate Smart says it is still taking applications and will contact applicants with enrollment updates.

After you apply, the Grown Climate Smart team collects your information and submits the NRCS Environmental Evaluation (CPA-52) for you. Practices done before that evaluation is approved can't be paid. Questions: info@grownclimatesmart.com or 608-676-3041.