Cover crops to surge under USDA's green initiative

Mar 06, 2024

By Farms.com

In a significant move towards bolstering sustainable agriculture, the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has provided an optimistic projection for the future of cover cropping in the United States. Based on a recent survey, ASTA predicts that the USDA's Partnerships for Climate Smart-Commodities will lead to an increase of 10.5 million acres in cover crop planting over five years.

This initiative, which kicked off in February 2023, aims to enhance conservation efforts across the agricultural sector, with a focus on supporting small and underserved farmers. The projection is drawn from data collected through a survey of participants in the program, indicating a growing enthusiasm for climate-smart agriculture practices.

Despite the conservative nature of this estimate, as not all projects provided detailed data, the trend points to a significant uptick in the adoption of cover crops. These crops are key to improving soil health, managing pests and diseases, and increasing water retention, thereby supporting both the environment and agricultural productivity.

With a federal funding commitment of $2.39 billion across 88 projects, the initiative underscores a substantial investment in sustainable farming. Cover crops are set to play a pivotal role in this transformation, driven by the seed industry's innovation and commitment to providing high-quality seeds to farmers nationwide.

ASTA's president, Andy LaVigne, emphasized the importance of cover crops in modern agriculture, advocating for their role in economic and environmental sustainability. He further encouraged farmers to leverage ASTA's resources for finding reliable seed sources, illustrating the industry's dedication to supporting American agriculture's shift towards more sustainable practices.

As the agricultural landscape evolves, the partnership between ASTA, USDA, and farmers symbolizes a collective move towards a more resilient and environmentally friendly farming future.

Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.