RIPE Program Offers Climate Solution for Farmers

The North Dakota Grain Growers Association recently joined the Rural Investment to Protect Our Environment. First Vice President Ed Kessel says the non-profit program pays farmers to grow cover crops. “Some of the conservation programs out there penalize early adapters. If you already plant cover crops or are implementing conservation practices, you don’t qualify for it. This is a program that allows farmers to plant a cover crop, certify that cover crop and submit for payment through the FSA office. There’s currently $100 an acre proposed.” Kessel says this is a flexible option for farmers. “You just sign up for acres. With rotations in my area of North Dakota, we can’t plant cover crops on every acre, it just doesn’t work. Being able to have flexibility to cover more than your costs is important.”