Cover crop workshops a success

Educational meetings to enhance water quality held throughout the Great Lakes Basin.

Cover Crops are a tool that can be used in many cropping systems for various reasons. One of the primary reasons is to provide erosion control that will positively impact water quality. Michigan State University Extension in cooperation with the Conservation Technology Information Center, The Ohio State University Extension, and Purdue Extension are combining efforts and formed the Great Lakes Cover Crop Initiative (GLCCI). The GLCCI is funded through the EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. One of the objectives of the grant is to hold educational meetings.

This past winter the GLCCI held workshops throughout the Great Lakes Basin. The workshops were attended by farmers, agency staff and agricultural consultants. Participants were instructed on cover crop economics, benefits of cover crops, and cover crop resources. Panel discussions by growers who have successfully implemented cover crops were held and participants could ask questions about implementation on their farms. The workshops also demonstrated a state specific cover crop selection tool that has been developed.

For more information on cover crops or the Great Lakes Cover Crop Initiative contact Paul Gross, Christina Curell or Florian Chirra. For information on the cover crop selection tool or other cover crop information visit the Midwest Cover Crop Council.

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