Cover crops have been around for over 10,000 years. It wasn’t until about 50 years ago that they started being replaced with chemical fertilizers, which many farmers saw as a more modern, efficient method.
But the tide may be turning again – back to the (cover crop) roots. And this time, there may be loads of economic opportunity and environmental sustainability to gain.
Press play to explore:
Mitch Hunter is an Assistant Professor and Associate Director of the Forever Green Initiative at the University of Minnesota. This interdisciplinary initiative is dedicated to helping farmers and the environment by developing comprehensive crops, cropping systems, and supply chains for novel crops. The ultimate goal is to keep soils covered all year long, preventing fertilizer from washing into bodies of water, maintaining soil quality, and boosting overall productivity.
Tune in and visit Home | Forever Green (umn.edu) to learn more.
Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Cover crops have been around for over 10,000 years. It wasn’t until about 50 years ago that they started being replaced with chemical fertilizers, which many farmers saw as a more modern, efficient method. But the tide may be turning again – back to the (cover crop) roots. And this time, there may be loads of economic opportunity and environmental…Read More
Today, we sit down with Rob Avis, the Owner, Lead Instructor, and Engineer at Verge Permaculture. Rob is an expert in regenerative business and eco-entrepreneurship, and he is using his skills to lead the next wave of permaculture education – covering everything from building science to agroecology. In this episode, you will uncover: Why the energy return on fossil fuel…Read More
Wild rice isn’t just uniquely delicious: it’s highly nutritious and takes a lot of careful work to grow. Learn the ins and outs of breeding and cultivating wild rice in Minnesota from Jennifer Kimball, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota. Tune in to explore: Environmentally responsible practices in wild rice breeding and…Read More
If you had the opportunity to innovate your farm, would you take it? The challenges that come with 21st-century agriculture are very unique, and inventive minds like Jonathan Dysinger are committed to innovating this process for both small and large farmers alike… Jonathan is the Owner and CEO of Farmers Friend, a company that develops tools and supplies to make…Read More
Where you live affects the quality of your food and water. A big reason for this has to do with watershed hydrology – the way water moves across agricultural landscapes. Matthew Helmers’ work revolves around this topic, and he shares his knowledge today. Tune in to explore: What tile drainage is, and how it improves crop health and production Why slowing…Read More