Michigan Launches NextGen Crop Insurance Pilot
The pilot offers reduced crop risk premiums to no-till and strip-till growers who adopt soil-health building practices.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Agriculture
The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development is launching a NextGen Crop Insurance Pilot Program for no-till growers. The program is being tested with corn and soybean growers in four counties in Michigan's thumb area.
Why it matters
The pilot tests whether farmers using soil-health practices could earn reduced crop risk premiums through a private market add-on. Improved soil health could reduce weather risk for growers across the state.
Farmers can join the pilot for a $35 fee, and it is being tested across four counties in Michigan's thumb area. The source does not report premium reduction amounts or results, and whether the pilot will succeed remains unknown.
The players
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
The Michigan state agency responsible for regulating and supporting the state's agricultural sector, including farm programs and rural development initiatives.
The details
The pilot uses soil health data, field-level practices, and insurance actuarial analysis to assess crop risk. Growers join a private risk pool where they follow specific cropping practices such as no-till or strip-till, and the program is not designed to replace federal crop insurance.
Timeline
March 15, 2026: Federal crop insurance deadline, which falls after 2027 pilot enrollment begins.
2027: Pilot program testing with corn and soybean growers in four counties.
Market Landscape
The pilot operates as a private market add-on that complements federal crop insurance rather than replacing it. If successful, the program could expand to all Michigan counties and potentially spread to other states.
Growers interested in the pilot must enroll before the March 15, 2026, federal crop insurance deadline. Enrollment is a $35 fee, and participation requires following specific cropping practices such as no-till or strip-till.
The takeaway
Growers who adopt soil-health practices may find that their crop insurance costs reflect the reduced weather risk those practices create. Whether these savings materialize will depend on the pilot's results in 2027.
Further reading
For more on farm policy and conservation practices, explore Agriculture coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by No-tillfarmer.
