Cover Crops:

With the escalating cost of agriculture inputs, and a shift in farming mentality, cover crops are quickly becoming a hot topic in the farming community. Questions abound on the varieties, management, and benefits about cover crops, prevent many farmers from applying them. There are several informative publications and websites available to address these questions. Below is a list of excellent sources about cover crops to help answer questions you may have. Please Contact Us with any additional questions, or for information on cost-share programs available for planting cover crops.

Websites

University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program

     The website provides an extensive amount of information the benefits of cover crops, and how to manage them. The site features a detailed database on a large variety of cover crops.

Plant Cover Crops

     The website was created by Dave Robison, from Northeast Indiana, to provided extensive information about cover crops and how they can be managed in Northern Indiana.

Midwest Cover Crop Council - Cover Crop Decision Tool

     The Midwest Cover Crop Council has created an excellent tool to help you decided the type of cover crop/s to plant to achieve your management goals. Please read the Cover Crop Decision Tool Guide before using.

Fact Sheets

Cover Crop Fundamentals

     The article, from Ohio State University Extension, provides information about the effects of cover crops on soil quality, erosion control, soil fertility, weed suppression, and insect control.

Sustainable Crop Rotations with Cover Crops

     The article, from Ohio State University Extension, provides detailed information on the variety of cover crops and how to fit them into your farms management system.

Using Cover Crops to Improve Soil and Water Quality

     The article, from Ohio State University Extension, discusses the advantages and disadvantages to using cover crops, and how they improve soil and water quality.

Solving Soil Compaction with Cover Crops

     The article, from Ohio State University Extension, provides information about addressing compaction issues by planting cover crops, rather than tillage.

Oilseed Radish Cover Crop

     The article, from Ohio State University Extension, provides information on the benefits oilseed radishes have as a cover crop, as well as how to add it into your farms management system.  

Rye grass root wad

Austrian Winter Peas