Building Soil Health through Innovative Cover Crop Practices while Enhancing Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat

Producer interest in Cover Crops has exploded over the past few years but cover crop acreage is still relatively low. Of the 250 million crop acres in the Mississippi River Basin states, it is estimated that only about 1.5 million of those acres are planted in Cover Crops. This project will demonstrate the soil health benefits, pollinator diversity and improved wildlife Habitat that results from utilizing Cover Crops and evaluate the economic benefits and values that accrue from implementing these practices. Additional objectives include demonstrating and comparing pollinator species richness and use of Cover Crops to that of field borders composed of native forbs and legumes throughout the growing season. Outreach, educational activities and publications for EQIP eligible landowners will be developed that promote the use of Cover Crops and field borders for agronomic, ecological and economic benefits.