Covering Ground

 This project investigates a variety of innovative conservation approaches directly related to soil health and the use of Cover Crops, through robust on-farm demonstrations at the plot, replicated strip, field, and paired-basin scale. Approaches have been designed through iterative discussion with six farmer watershed groups to match issues and challenges particular to their geographic region and production systems. Innovative approaches identified include, but are not limited to, on farm trial/demonstration of: i) new commercial technology (Penn State Interseeder); ii) farmer construct/protype interseeder; iii) alternative management systems (mechanical suppression – rolling) and interseeded living mulch; iv) variable row spacing and plant population number in standing crops (aid in the establishment/reduce competition between cover and crop); v) termination of Cover Crops in organic grazing systems; vi) split manure application (spring and fall) to standing Cover Crops with minimal soil disturbance for large dairy operations in Northern climates; and vii) general investigations of cover crop species and mixtures for northern climates.
The primary objective of this proposed project is to evaluate the sustainability and resiliency of soil health management practices to extremes in climate. Specifically, we will impose short-duration, intensive rainfall events (via rainfall simulator) early and/or late in the growing season when agricultural soils are typically most vulnerable, and drought conditions (via rainout shelter) during the growing season. Effects will also be evaluated at the field-scale under natural rainfall conditions using edge-of-field runoff monitoring (paired basin). Specific objectives within the proposed project include:
1. Evaluate the effects of Cover Crops and interseeded Cover Crops on soil health using
NRCS methods.
2. Evaluate the use of split, broadcast manure applications on no-till fields with Cover Crops
for large animal confinement operations.
3. Evaluate the effects of living mulch on soil health within row-crop production systems.