Beginning in 2020, we launched an effort to build a statewide network of farmers sharing data and samples from their cover crops systems and contributing to the state’s growing knowledge base about cover crops.

Wisconsin farmers are sharing how they use cover crops and helping to improve cover cropping for farmers all around the state.

A state wide network of collaborating citizen science farmers fill out a survey about their cover crop practices, take photos of cover crop growth, and provide biomass samples. We pay participants an honorarium, and share personalized cover crop nutrient analysis data in addition to total biomass production and forage quality information. We also incorporate farmer feedback in research and outreach programming, including the Wisconsin Cover Crop Conference.

Click on this link for more information: Wisconsin Cover Crop Citizen Science Network — Michael Fields Agricultural Institute