West Polk SWCD Soil Health Incentive Program
West Polk SWCD Soil Health Incentive Program Policy:
Definition/Purpose
Cover crops are unharvested crops of grasses, legumes, brassicas or other broadleaf species grown primarily for erosion control, soil improvement and nutrient management.
The practice can be implemented to support one or more of the following purposes:
Definition/Purpose
Cover crops are unharvested crops of grasses, legumes, brassicas or other broadleaf species grown primarily for erosion control, soil improvement and nutrient management.
The practice can be implemented to support one or more of the following purposes:
- Reduce erosion from wind and water.
- Reduce water quality degradation by sequestering mobile soil nutrients.
- Build soil structure and create organic matter
- Provide habitat for soil organisms and beneficial insects
- Suppress weed pressure and interrupt pest cycles
- Improve soil moisture management
- Loosen compacted soil and improve infiltration/gas exchange
- Fix and supply nitrogen for cash crops
- Improve spring field trafficability
