Cover Crop Cost Share Opportunities Are All Around

The benefits of cover crops are boundless; cover crops are a versatile tool for improving soil health and protecting our water quality here in Dodge County.

• Cover crops help with soil health and erosion, by maintaining continuous soil cover, reducing soil erosion through the fall into spring. These living roots help stabilize soil structure, improve water infiltration and enhance nutrient cycling.
• Cover crops capture residual nitrogen and other nutrients, lowering fertilization needs.
• Cover crops can also assist in weed suppression. Delayed termination of cereal rye until the time of planting or by planting green, has shown to be an effective management strategy to suppress weed growth and lowering weed competition. 
•  Cover crops can improve long-term soil productivity and reduce input costs.

With all these benefits of cover crops, why not give it a try, there are opportunities to help offset the costs of planting cover crops all around us, here are a few….

• The Dodge County Farmers Healthy Soil Healthy Water (DCF HSHW) farmer led group has funding available for members who plant cover crops. To participate visit their website Programs - Dodge County Farmers Healthy Soil & Water. The Dodge County Farmers cover crop incentive program is intended to be a learning opportunity for members and participants may be asked to share their experiences with the group. 
• The Fox Lake Inland Lake Protections and Rehabilitation District offers producers in the Fox Lake area cost-share opportunities for implementing soil health practices such as cover crops on their farms. 
• Farmers within the immediate Fox Lake or Alto Creek watersheds are eligible for these funds. To sign up call the Fox Lake Inland District at 920-928-2772.

Are you interested in implementing cover crops in your rotation this summer/fall - reach out to our office at 920-386-3660. 

We will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding cover crops and potential funding opportunities to help with implementation. We look forward to working together to improve our land and water here in Dodge County.