Sowing Sustainability

Welcome to a comprehensive resource for cover cropping in the Northeast!

Welcome! Find out more about how to integrate cover crops into your sustainability toolbox.

Cover crops are are grown to improve the sustainability of cropping systems. They provide environmental and economic benefits such as decreased soil erosion, uptake of residual soil nutrients, improved soil quality (e.g., increased water holding capacity and decreased compaction), habitat for beneficial organisms, and weed suppression. Our goal is to encourage cover crop adoption and assist farmers in maximizing the benefits accrued through cover crop use.

Decision Tool

Take a look at an integrated decision tool to assist farmers in Northeastern states with cover crop species selection. Access cover crop recommendations tailored to your cropping system goals and constraints.

See Resources in Your State

Select a state in the map to find local resources!

ME VT NH MA NY PA wv MD NJ CT RI DE Link to the state of Maine Link to the state of New Hampshire Link to the state of Vermont Link to the state of Massachusetts Link to the state of Connecticut Link to the state of Rhode Island Link to the state of New York Link to the state of New Jersey Link to the state of Pennsylvania Link to the state of Delaware Link to the state of Maryland Link to the state of West Virginia

NECCC News and Events

Cover Crop Breeding Field Walk

Join us in Freeville, NY to walk the crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter pea, and winter canola trial fields, talk about what we’re seeing (and not seeing), hear about past […]

Learn More

Cover Crop Breeding Field Walk

Join us in Freeville, NY to walk the crimson clover, hairy vetch, winter pea, and winter canola trial fields, talk about what we’re seeing (and not seeing), hear about past […]

Learn More

University of Maine Winter Soil Workshop Series – Cover Cropping for Nutrient Management

This workshop will be held at the UMaine Regional Learning Center, 75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, Maine OR online via Zoom. Free to attend but please register.

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Cover Crop Videos

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Cover Crops in Vegetable Production Systems

Thomas Bjorkman discussed the use of cover crops in vegetable production systems at the 2017 NECCC annual conference.

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Opportunities and Obstacles with Organic No-Till Soybean

Matt Ryan presented an overview of the obstacles and opportunities involved with the use of cover crops in organic no-till soybean at the 2017 NECCC annual conference.

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Managing Cover Crops for Forage

Heather Darby spoke about cover crops for forage systems at the 2017 NECCC annual conference.

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Incentives in Maryland: Are they Working?

Brian Davis discussed the Maryland cover crop incentive program at the 2017 NECCC annual conference.

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Cover crop planting is essential to my farm to provide nutrient cycling and to promote soil health.
Aaron C.
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Every field has a unique set of challenges based on the topography, management system, micro-climate, and crop rotation. Using a system of conservation practices just as unique as the field characteristics can help achieve conservation objectives. Cover crops are one of the many tools we use to achieve these objectives, but they are perhaps the most customizable and adaptable tool we can use.
Kaitlin F.
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Armoring the soil and providing an ecosystem below our feet is of utmost importance as we face challenging growing conditions.
Christian B.
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Building healthy soils requires living roots — all season long!
Chad C.

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Get involved by attending upcoming events, workshops, and conferences, learning about our current research activities, or conducting research of your own.

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