The Siemer Milling Company Producer Rewards Payment Program uses the STAR Rating to compensate farmers for improved or outstanding (5-STAR) STAR Rating, thereby recognizing a range of conservation efforts rather than requiring specific practices. This flexibility allows farmers to choose the conservation approaches that best fit their operation while still being rewarded for their commitment to soil health and sustainability. This program will be offered from 2025-2027 with guaranteed backing, for more information visit https://www.starconservation.org/siemer/.
Payments for 2/3/4-STAR Ratings are received during the second year of enrollment when improvement is documented, not during the first year of data collection. Payment for 5-STAR Ratings can be received year after year.
Eligibility and How it Works
Eligibility Information
- Available on a first-come, first served basis
- Limtied to 400 acres, with a maximum of $10,000 per producer
- Must have been a Siemer Milling customer (delivered wheat) within the last five years, or will deliver 2025 harvest wheat
STAR Rating Information:
- Fields with a 2025 5-STAR Rating receive payment this year
- Fields with a 2025 <5 STAR Rating receive payment this year IF they have demonstrated improvement from an existing 2024 STAR Rating
- Fields with a 2025 <5 STAR Rating and no 2024 history have the chance to improve and apply for payment again in 2026
- Your STAR Rating is not reported to Siemer and stays confidential with STAR
How to Sign Up
1. Use the STAR Tool at www.STARtool.ag to get Ratings on your fields. More info on using the Tool here.
AND
2. Submit a Grower Agreement to your Siemer Milling Company representative or:
Brian Semple
T: 217-857-2257
Jane Thoele
T: 217-857-2247
Note that you do NOT need to report your STAR Rating to Siemer, just use the grower agreement to tell them which fields you want to submit to the program. STAR will handle the rest!
