Getting Started

Let us help you with getting started with cover crops!
We've added our best tools and recommendations below.

WHAT ARE COVER CROPS?

Cover crops are plants seeded into agricultural fields, either within or outside of the regular growing season, with the primary purpose of improving or maintaining ecosystem quality. The goal of the Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC) is to facilitate widespread adoption of cover crops throughout the Midwest, to improve ecological, economic, and social sustainability.

WHAT DO COVER CROPS DO FOR FARMERS?

  • Reduce erosion
  • Improve soil quality, through increases in
    • Porosity (reduced compaction)
    • Soil organic matter
    • Water holding capacity
    • Beneficial microbes
    • Micro- and macro-invertebrates
  • Retain nutrients that would otherwise be lost
  • Add nitrogen through fixation (leguminous cover crops)
  • Combat weeds
  • Break disease cycles

WHAT DO COVER CROPS DO FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

  • Enhance biodiversity
  • Increase soil infiltration, leading to less flooding, leaching, and runoff
  • Create wildlife habitat
  • Attract honey bees and beneficial insects

TERMINATION

Termination is an important factor in planning and executing your cover crop.

PLANTING

Establishing cover crops is a big challenge. Let's review the latest information for planting.

EQUIPMENT

There are a wide variety of options for planting and managing cover crops. Learn more about them.

MANAGEMENT

Cover crops may require specific management to meet the desired goals for use.

Cover Crop Recipes

These publications are intended to provide a starting point for farmers who are new to growing cover crops. With experience, farmers may fine-tune the use of cover crops for their systems.

Additional states coming soon. Select a state below to learn more about each one!

Articles to Get Started