Cover cropping ‘on the cheap’ — relying only on rainfall for irrigation — supplies many benefits and doesn’t cost much. Growing a winter cover crop helps retain soil nitrogen – keeping it from leaching into groundwater – improves water infiltration, reduces runoff, increases soil organic matter and boosts long-term soil fertility....More

In many ways, soil is fundamental to life. Flora and fauna depend on its presence for their survival as much as they depend on water and air. In order to sustain its soil content, an ecosystem needs to maintain a balance between rates of soil erosion and soil production....More

The goal for agricultural producers is to maintain the field at or near soil water holding capacity. The best option for a farmer is to increase their soil organic matter....More

Cropping systems that reduce tillage intensity, incorporate cover crops when practical and make efficient use of manure or other organic inputs in the crop rotation can build soil quality and productivity and protect the environment in many ways....More