Sustainable Cropping System

This project will demonstrate alternative options for producers and landowners for sustainably producing woody biomass in a Riparian Buffer and grain crop production utilizing cover crops and native pollinators. Furthermore, this project will monitor and assess of improvements in soil and water quality to demonstrate sustainable management of previously agricultural lands through the incorporation of biofuel production species along with pollinators and cover crops. These demonstrations will be incorporated for producers, MU Extension and NRCS personnel as learning opportunities at various field days and specialized workshops at the MU Bradford Research and Extension Center (BREC) near Columbia. Biomass accumulation, crop yields, and improvements of ecosystems services will be evaluated for three years on previously cultivated cropland.