Cover Crops

Helping your clients

An increasing number of farmers are seeking guidance on how to implement regenerative practices on their farms. Here are some tips on how you can help your clients: Connect your client to other farmers who have had success with the practice being considered; it is ideal if they are nearby but even another farmer...

Communicating the essentials

There are so many choices with some regenerative practices that it can be a bit overwhelming for farmers and landowners alike. We suggest you work with your clients by starting simple, such as taking an individual field or pasture and doing some trials to see what works for them. Very importantly, connect your clients...

Cover cropping for pollinators and beneficial insects

Flowering cover crops can fulfill their original purpose as a conservation practice while at the same time providing valuable forage for wild bees and beneficial insects. This added benefit can be significantly enhanced with some fine-tuning of management practices and thoughtful plant selection. This 16-page bulletin will help you use cover crops to encourage populations of pollinators and beneficial insects...

What is sustainable agriculture

How do you make a farm or ranch more sustainable? There is no single answer, but SARE’s 8 episode “What is Sustainable Agriculture” animation series highlights some common practices farmers and ranchers across the country use to improve profitability, quality of life and environmental stewardship.

Adoption of soil health systems (USDA Census of Agriculture)

Read this Progress Report: Adoption of Soil Health Systems Based on Data from the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture to learn about current trends in cover crop and no-till usage in the United States.

Cover crop recipes

The Midwest Cover Crops Council provides these “Cover Crop Recipes” to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. They include resources specific to each Midwest state.

Midwest Cover Crop Council

The Midwest Cover Crop Council facilitates sharing of cover crop knowledge within the Midwest and beyond.

SARE Cover Crops

An overview of cover crops with links to in-depth resources from SARE

Living Soil Film college materials

A set of curriculum materials suitable to college teachers in agriculture, ecology, or natural resources, helping introduce students to the soil health topic. Includes sample quiz and learning activities.

Living Soil Film high school materials

A set of curriculum materials suitable to high school teachers in agriculture, biology, ecology, or natural resources, helping introduce students to the soil health topic. Includes sample quiz and learning activities.