Overview

This practice helps reduce erosion, build soil organic matter, improve nutrient cycling, and enhance overall soil health. Cover crops can also support weed suppression, improve water infiltration, and provide seasonal habitat benefits. The national standard sets the minimum science based criteria for planning and implementing cover crops, while state standards add local detail tailored to regional soils, climate, and resource concerns.

NRCS develops national conservation practice standards that set the minimum science-based requirements for planning, designing, installing, and maintaining each conservation practice. These national standards ensure consistency and quality across the country.

Because soils, climate, topography, and local laws vary widely, each state can adopt or customize these standards to address state specific resource concerns and regulatory needs. State level modifications add local detail but cannot reduce the minimum requirements set by the national standard.

States that have a cover crop practice standard are provided on the link below and can also be found on our Field Office Technical Guide Website.

AL    AK    AZ    AR   CA   CO   CT    DE   FL   GA    HI    ID    IL    IN    IA    KS    KY   LA  MA  MD/DC  ME   MI  MN MO  MS  MT  NC  ND NE  NH  NJ  NM  NV  NY  OH   OK    OR    PA    PR    RI    SC    SD    TN    TX    UT    VA   VT  VI   WA   WV    WI    WY

Updated in 2026, the next review of this national conservation practice standard is expected to begin October 2030.

Conservation at Work: Cover Crops

This video explores how Charlie Roberts in Halls, TN, is using this practice to protect soil health and increase water infiltration on his cropland.