The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Sugar, Blue Water Conservation District and Environmental Tillage Systems (ETS) have joined forces to help sugar beet growers adopt strip-till and cover crops in Michigan.
The Accessing Subsidized Strip-Till Equipment Trial (ASSET) program offers farmers about $52 per acre if fully enrolled — $32.60 per acre for cover crops and $19.32 per acre for strip-till. Any strip-till equipment can be used, but discounts for new ETS SoilWarriors are available through the program.
“The program is going to be running for three years,” TNC conservation advisor Simon Yevzelman tells Brownfield Ag News. “To get full payment for three years, which includes payment for strip-till as well as cover cropping, enrollment needs to be done this fall.”
The program also compensates experienced strip-tillers for serving as mentors and providing technical assistance, with $1,500 per mentored farm and up to $10,000 in SoilWarrior equipment discounts from ETS.
Click here for more information on the ASSET program.
