.png/:/rs=w:600,cg:true,m)
Eligibility Criteria
- Illinois fields with soybeans currently grown or included in the crop rotation within the past five years are eligible.
- Fields enrolled in public cost-share programs (EQIP, CSP, PFC, etc.) are eligible. Private programs may be combined unless prohibited.
- Producers MUST complete a STAR Tool assessment for each enrolled field and submit the ISA Grower Agreement.
- Eligible producers can receive payments on up to 200 acres per year for:
- Maintaining a 5-STAR Rating.
- Improving their STAR Rating over two years.
- Improvements are measured against the previous STAR Rating, including Crop Year 2025. Fields are paid once per improvement level, based on the rating achieved.
- Producers who complete their first-ever STAR assessment receive a one-time $3/acre payment. This bonus may be added to other eligible payments.
Funded with Illinois soybean checkoff dollars
.webp/:/rs=w:600,cg:true,m)
Important Dates
October 15, 2026: Enrollment opened.
December 31, 2026: Enrollment closes & Grower Agreement due
January-February 2027: STAR Verification takes place.
February, 2027: Year 1 (Crop Year 2026) payments distributed
June 1, 2027: Crop Year 2027 enrollment opens
July 1, 2027: Year 2 Enrollment closes
July 2, 2027: STAR Verification for Year 2 begins
August, 2027: Year 2 verification done and payments distributed