The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) is taking a survey of farmers who've grown cover crops. Sponsored by the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, CTIC would like to know when you started planting cover crops, how many you've planted in recent years, how many acres you plan to plant in 2013, how many total acres you farm, among other cover crop questions. Additional questions explore cover crop impact on yield following the 2012 drought.
Data from the survey will help researchers understand how cover crops function in different areas and cropping systems, what factors influence cover crop decisions, and how various programs may support the practice.
“We know that producers across the country are talking about, learning about and using cover crops in growing numbers,” says Karen A. Scanlon, CTIC executive director. “We don’t have a clear picture of the number of acres or to what extent cover crops helped during the very dry year we had last year. The growers taking time to answer this survey will help increase our understanding of cover crops a great deal.”
The survey is brief and can be completed online in 5-10 minutes. Farmers who fill out the survey by April 1 will be eligible for a random drawing to receive a $100 gift card from CTIC or the SARE cover crops book.
If you have questions about the survey, contact Chad Watts with the CTIC.
Thanks for your participation!