By Amy Burtch
Uncertain whether hairy vetch, crimson clover or Austrian winter pea is the best choice for your winter cover crop? The Cover Crop Selector can help.
Born out of NC State University’s N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) and its Extension Agent Network, the digital tool offers growers targeted information for their region regarding the best cover crops to help manage things like erosion, soil fertility, weeds and more.
The effort highlights the initiative’s goal of uniting people to tackle problems and create solutions. “It’s an interdisciplinary research initiative centered on agricultural solutions across North Carolina and beyond, bringing people together from different disciplines,” says Rachel Vann, PSI platform director for extension outreach and engagement.
The Extension Agent Network, which launched in 2023, engages NC State Extension agents and farmers to “beta-test PSI-developed technologies in the field to accelerate solution delivery through more seamless adoption on North Carolina farms.” The inaugural agent cohort focused on cover crops and ran from the spring of 2023 to the spring of 2025. The project was funded by several North Carolina commodity boards and NC State alumnus David Peele.
Source : ncsu.edu