Course Description

Current science on cover crops, soil health metrics related to use and management of cover crops, advanced species selection considerations, planting methods, and other key design and implementation considerations will be covered in this course. Review of NRCS policy and practices related to establishment of a cover cropping system and its relationship to a soil health management system is also featured.  

Instructor Guide and Agendas

• Cover Crops for Soil Health West Agenda (Word document)
• Cover Crops for Soil Health West Instructional Guide (Word document)

Module Presentations

• Module 1 - Cover Crops for Soil Health West Introduction (PowerPoint)
• Module 2 - How to Plan a Cover Crop System (PowerPoint)
• Module 3 - Cover Crops Effects on Soil Moisture West (PowerPoint)
• Module 4 - Equipment to Manage Cover Crops (PowerPoint)
• Module 5 - Cover Crop Functional Groups (PowerPoint)
• Module 6 - Terminating Cover Crops (PowerPoint)
• Module 7 - Specifications for Cover Crops Example 1 (PowerPoint)
• Module 7 - Specifications for Cover Crops Example 2 (PowerPoint)
• Module 7 - The Critical Role of Cover Crops in Soil Health (PowerPoint)
• Module 8 - Grazing Cover Crops (PowerPoint)
• Module 9 - Cover Crops Addressing Pest Management Concerns(PowerPoint)

Supporting Files

• Cover Crop Planning Support Discussion Guide (Word document)
• Cover Crop Scenarios (Word document)
• Cover Crop Jeopardy (PowerPoint)
• NRCS Cover Crop Periodic Table (Word document)
• Pre-course Assignments Student Presentation template (PowerPoint)
• Site Requirements for Advanced Cover Crop Course (Word document)

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Soil Health for Small Scale Agriculture in-person training