FaRM Learning Hub

Introduction to Cover Cropping Course

Cover Cropping Course Table of Contents

Introduction to Unit 1

Unit 1 - Cover Crop Fundamentals

Part 2: Agronomic Challenges

Agronomic Challenges: Droughty or Waterlogged Soil

Agronomic Challenges cont.

Agronomic Challenge - Poor Soil Structure

Agronomic Challenges cont. Wind and Water erosion

Cover Cropping: A Versatile Tool

Agronomic Challenges: Workbook

Workbook for download or online completion

Part 3: Improve your bottom line

Ideal Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio

Improve your bottom line cont.

Part 4: Help the Environment

Farmer's Perspective: Why I use cover crops

Unit

Unit 2 - Introduction

Part 1 - Types of Cover Crops - Legumes

How Sylvan Lake Farm uses alfalfa and peas

Types of Cover Crops - Grasses and Cereals

The benefits of using fall rye

Types of Cover Crops - Brassicas

Planting radishes for soil compaction

Brassicas cont.

Types of Cover Crops - Herbs, Broadleaf, Mixes

Creating cover crop mixes

Part 2 - Crops for your Conditions

Using legumes in dry areas

Part 2 cont. Dry, Wet, Saline, Clay, Sand

Part 3: Cover Crops for your Rotation

Interseeding cover crop into a main crop

Part 3 cont.

Introduction to Unit 3

Part 1: Seeding Cover Crops

How to use aerial seeding

Seeding cont.

Farmer's perspective: How to seed cover crops

Part 2: Managing Cover Crops

Part 3: Terminating Cover Crops

Introduction to Unit 4

Part 1: Introduction to Soil Health

Benefits of Healthy Soil

Part 2: Soil Life

Close look at nitrogen fixing nodules

Part 3: Soil Organic Matter (SOM)

Part 4: Nutrient Cycling

How fall rye can affect the nitrogen cycle

Part 4 cont.

Part 5: Soil Monitoring

Farmer's perspective: Tips to succeed with cover crops

Unit 4 Key points

Final thoughts

Resources for Farmers

Farmer Profiles

Full course as pdf

Workbook for FaRM Cover Crop Course