The Power of Cover Crops

Hey there! Have you heard about cover crops and their role in regenerative farming? Well, we just wrapped up our first year incorporating a diverse blen of cover crops on our farm, and I must say, the results have been nothing short of amazing.

What are Cover Crops?  Cover crops aren't plants we harvest; they’re there to boost soil health, increase biodiversity, and prevent erosion. We went with a mix of Radish, Cereal Rye, Austrian Peas, Black Oats, and Crimson Clover. We plant these guys in the off-season when the fields would otherwise be bare, and they provide great benefits for the soil and our upcoming rice crops.

This spring, we went into the fields and plant the rice directly into the cover crop using a no-till method. This means we disturb the soil as little as possible. Our main focus is to build up soil health, and by not tilling, we’re fostering a network of plant roots and fungi that carry nutrients right to our rice.

One of the biggest perks we've noticed with cover crops is the improvement in soil health and the diverse beneficial insects below the soil. These crops help increase organic matter in the soil, making it more fertile and perfect for growing our main crop, rice. This sets us up for great harvests come fall.

Healthy soil also retains water better, which means our irrigation is more effective. We end up needing less water, which saves on costs and is good for water conservation. Plus, these cover crops help suppress those pesky unwanted weeds.

Another fantastic benefit is the increase in biodiversity. This diversity helps create a more resilient ecosystem that can handle challenges like extreme weather. On top of all that, cover crops can help with carbon sequestration. They capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil, playing a part in the fight against climate change.

All in all, our first year with cover crops has been a real game-changer for our farm. We’re seeing so many benefits that align perfectly with our regenerative farming goals. We can't wait to see even more positive changes ahead!

Thanks for reading and happy summer!

-Brittani Ralston