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Living Mulch Cover Cropping for Gardens and Small Farms: Managing an “organic matter” system

ATTRA

They are documenting Lincoln’s living cover crop system, where he undersows Dutch white clover into vegetables after the last cultivation in July. He would let the cover crop grow and overwinter and then plow down the following spring for green manure. At least on one bed this year to give me a chance to learn something.

Crop 79
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Regenerative Agriculture: A Strategic Approach for Farming

Cropaia

Excessive or deep plowing disrupts the soil structure, releases stored carbon, and can lead to erosion. Cover cropping : Cover crops are strategically planted in between cash crops or during fallow periods.

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Can Taller Cover Crops Help Clean the Water in Farm Country?

Civil Eats

Angela White, a soil conservation technician for the SWCD, says the program was valuable in getting cover crops established in the region and showing that it could work, but it had limitations as far as producing environmental benefits. Research shows that allowing cover crops to grow to significant heights can dramatically reduce pollution.

Crop 126
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A pillar of the climate-smart agriculture movement is on shaky ground

Food Environment and Reporting Network

Researchers, using satellite data, found that cash crop yields in the corn belt dropped significantly—on average 5.5 percent for soybeans—on fields that were cover-cropped, compared to fields that were not. Such losses could dissuade farmers from planting cover crops, no matter the financial incentives.