STAR PRODUCER REWARDS PROGRAMS

Learn More about Producer Rewards Programs

STAR is committed to helping producers access a comprehensive package of resources to enable successful and durable conservation implementation.

• Do you have agricultural sustainability goals but need an on-the-ground solution for implementation?
• Do you have funding for producer incentives but need a framework for recruitment, distribution, and tracking?
• Are you frustrated with the complicated, expensive, and unproven market options currently available?
• Are you struggling to find, recruit, and support new and sustained conservation system adopters?

STAR’s goal is to effectively engage with the producer audience to coordinate and streamline program offerings, facilitate access to stacked and blended financial resources, and fast track producer connections to and enrollment in programs. STAR can meet your producer incentive goals with:

• A framework for evaluating, supporting, and tracking conservation progress
• Flexible Producer Reward Payment structures that allow support for practice changes, the steps leading up to practice changes, and sustained implementation of practice changes
• Structures designed to meet your needs while addressing the holistic needs of producers along the many steps of their conservation journey
• Alignment with local conservation goals and priorities through a locally led, grassroots, collaborative group of partners and producers in each state
• Opportunities for partnerships with state STAR Affiliate members to amplify efforts

• A pipeline of producers working toward durable conservation implementation
• Comprehensive support for producers wanting to learn more and make changes
• A menu of practice options for producers that are prioritized for local impacts
• Locally-specific technical assistance and one-on-one advising for producers
• Connections for leveraging other national, state, and local programs and resources to support producers
• A screening tool to evaluate producer eligibility and interest in an existing program or certification
• Scientifically credible results informed by research and local knowledge and based on implemented actions

One example of a producer reward payment program in action: the Siemer Producer Reward Payment Program.

Siemer Milling Company is committed to connecting growers with opportunities to help preserve their land and legacy. In Summer 2024, Siemer worked with STAR to identify eligible fields and compensate growers in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky who implemented conservation practices that result in an improved STAR Rating or an outstanding (5-STAR) Rating.

Siemer customers’ corn, soybean and wheat fields were eligible to participate. STAR provided each field a confidential rating of 1 to 5 STARs. Growers received a payment for:

1. Achieving and maintaining a 5-STAR Rating (the highest rating), OR
2. Demonstrating improvement in their initial STAR rating over a two-year period.

To be eligible, a grower had to both submit a Grower Agreement with Siemer Milling Company AND enroll fields with STAR.

Interested producers enrolled using either the STAR Webtool or the STAR field form found below.