View allAll Photos Tagged CoverCrops
Almonds grow on the Mota Ranch 36 acre almond orchard using cover crop and micro irrigation in Livingston, CA on July 22, 2015. Owner Jesse Mota worked with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Merced Service Center Soil Conservationist Tomas Aguilar-Campos to create a conservation plan for Mota Ranch. California currently faces three looming challenges in agriculture: drought conditions, bee decline and protecting soil health. Planting cover crops helps overcome all three issues by helping to trap moisture in the soil, improve soil organic matter, and attracting pollinators. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.
USDA-NRCS State Soil Scientist Shawn Nield gives a soil health presentation at the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day in Kimberly, Idaho on June 29, 2022. (NRCS photo by Carly Whitmore)
USDA-NRCS Resource Soil Scientist Tasha Paul gives a soil health presentation at the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day in Kimberly, Idaho on June 29, 2022. (NRCS photo by Carly Whitmore)
USDA-NRCS Soil Scientist Shanna Bernal-Fields gives a soil health presentation at the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day in Kimberly, Idaho on June 29, 2022. (NRCS photo by Carly Whitmore)
Brad Hunter plants corn into a stand of cover crop on his farm in Porter County, Indiana. 5/4/2023; photo donated to USDA by Jacob Tosch, Porter County SWCD.
Micro irrigation begins with an economical reuse of irrigation water hydrants at Leafy Greens Farm in the Salinas Valley of California on Thursday, June 16, 2011. A series of reduction couplings lead to the collapsible header tube that supply water to dozens of separate tubes. That take water to every plant in the row. Water evaporation is kept to a minimum because water is delivered to the soil, not sprayed into the air or to exposed areas. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.
Cover crop on a resting farm field at Leafy Greens, operated by farmer Tom Heess, in the Salinas Valley, California on Thursday, June 16, 2011. Leafy Greens grows row crops of lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower sweet peas and seed beans. He uses rotational crop plantings to control weeds and plant disease. When a plot of land is at rest, he plants a cover crop of barley and rye grass because the roots hold the topsoil reducing erosion of the soil. He is converting his irrigation system from conventional sprinklers to micro irrigation. Where one system produces runoff and erosion of the soil; the other has little or no erosion, less maintenance, easy harvest and less water is needed. When seasonal rains produce runoff, the silt that flows with it is caught in sediment ponds. The ponds have grass, bushes and trees to hold the structure and allow the silt to settle. Spillways lead to holding ponds and eventually the Salinas River, a tributary of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. So far, because of its design and efficiency, no water has made it to the river. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.
USDA-NRCS Resource Soil Scientist Tasha Paul gives a soil health presentation at the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day in Kimberly, Idaho on June 29, 2022. (NRCS photo by Carly Whitmore)
A deactivated irrigation standpipe (center) has a used tire around it to mark its location in a micro irrigated field at Leafy Greens Farms in the Salinas Valley, California on Thursday, June 16, 2011. Micro irrigation begins with an economical reuse of irrigation water hydrants at Leafy Greens Farm in the Salinas Valley of California on Thursday, June 16, 2011. A series of reduction couplings lead to the collapsible header tube that supply water to dozens of separate tubes. That take water to every plant in the row. Water evaporation is kept to a minimum because water is delivered to the soil, not sprayed into the air or to exposed areas. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.
Brad Hunter plants corn into a stand of cover crop on his farm in Porter County, Indiana. 5/4/2023; photo donated to USDA by Jacob Tosch, Porter County SWCD.
USDA-NRCS State Soil Scientist Shawn Nield gives a soil health presentation at the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day in Kimberly, Idaho on June 29, 2022. (NRCS photo by Carly Whitmore)
Sang Lee Farms, in Peconic, New York, transitioning to third generation, grows more than 100 varieties of specialty vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, baby greens, herbs. They continue to feature Asian produce, growing many varieties of Chinese cabbages, greens, and radishes.
The farm has been operating and growing on Long Island for over 70 years. During this time the farm has evolved and survived through economic fluctuations, family loss and growth, local changes in demographics and changes in the nature of farming on Long Island.
(FPAC photo by Preston Keres)
USDA-NRCS State Soil Scientist Shawn Nield (left) and USDA-NRCS Soil Scientist Shanna Bernal-Fields (right) give a soil health presentation at the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day in Kimberly, Idaho on June 29, 2022. (NRCS photo by Carly Whitmore)
The Mota Ranch 36 acre almond orchard uses cover crops and micro irrigation in Livingston, CA, on Thursday, Apr. 16, 2015 Owner Jesse Mota worked with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Merced Service Center Soil Conservationist Tomas Aguilar-Campos to create a conservation plan for Mota Ranch. California currently faces three looming challenges in agriculture: drought conditions, bee decline and protecting soil health. Planting cover crops helps overcome all three issues by helping to trap moisture in the soil, improve soil organic matter, and attracting pollinators. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.
The Mota Ranch 45 acre almond orchard uses cover crops and micro irrigation in Livingston, CA on Apr. 16, 2015 Owner Jesse Mota worked with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Merced Service Center Soil Conservationist Tomas Aguilar-Campos to create a conservation plan for Mota Ranch. California currently faces three looming challenges in agriculture: drought conditions, bee decline and protecting soil health. Planting cover crops helps overcome all three issues by helping to trap moisture in the soil, improve soil organic matter, and attracting pollinators. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.he Mota Ranch almond orchard using cover crop and micro irrigation in Livingston, CA on April 16, 2015. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.
Mt. Toby Farm, in Sunderland, MA, has worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) to create their conservation plan that includes the use of Forage and biomass Planting (512) and Establish and reseed their cover crop during the cool season, on October 18, 2019. Working with Natural Resource Specialist / Business Tools Coordinator Lisa Gilbert who records the progress with the conservation plan. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung. Mt. Toby Farm is along the bank of the Connecticut River; across the river from the University of Massachusetts Crop Animal Research and Education Center, and Mt. Sugarloaf State Reservation.
Forage and Biomass Planting, Conservation Practice Code 512 - Forage and biomass planting is used to establish adapted and/or compatible species, varieties, or cultivars of herbaceous species suitable for pasture, hay, or biomass production. For more information, please see nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/enespanol/?cid=nrcs144p2_027163
Cover Crop, Conservation Practice Code 340 - Crops including grasses, legumes, and forbs for seasonal cover and other conservation purposes. For more information, please see nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1046845.pdf
NRCS has a proud history of supporting America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. For more than 80 years, we have helped people make investments in their operations and local communities to keep working lands working, boost rural economies, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture, and improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and habitat.
As the USDA’s primary private lands conservation agency, we generate, manage, and share the data, technology, and standards that enable partners and policymakers to make decisions informed by objective, reliable science.
And through one-on-one, personalized advice, we work voluntarily with producers and communities to find the best solutions to meet their unique conservation and business goals. By doing so, we help ensure the health of our natural resources and the long-term sustainability of American agriculture.
Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) is the Department’s focal point for the nation’s farmers and ranchers and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands. FPAC agencies implement programs designed to mitigate the significant risks of farming through crop insurance services, conservation programs and technical assistance, and commodity, lending, and disaster programs.
The agencies and service supporting FPAC are Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA).
NRCS – NRCS - nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/
FPAC - Farm Production and Conservation - usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/mission-areas
USDA - USDA.gov
Sang Lee Farms, in Peconic, New York, transitioning to third generation, grows more than 100 varieties of specialty vegetables, including Sweet Dumpling Squash (pictured), heirloom tomatoes, baby greens, herbs. They continue to feature Asian produce, growing many varieties of Chinese cabbages, greens, and radishes.
The farm has been operating and growing on Long Island for over 70 years. During this time the farm has evolved and survived through economic fluctuations, family loss and growth, local changes in demographics and changes in the nature of farming on Long Island.
(FPAC photo by Preston Keres)
Sang Lee Farms Primary Manager Lucy Senesac and her team participate in the Westhampton Beach Farmers Market,, New York, November 6, 2021..
Transitioning to third generation, the family grows more than 100 varieties of specialty vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, baby greens, herbs. They continue to feature Asian produce, growing many varieties of Chinese cabbages, greens, and radishes.
The farm has been operating and growing on Long Island for over 70 years. During this time the farm has evolved and survived through economic fluctuations, family loss and growth, local changes in demographics and changes in the nature of farming on Long Island.
(FPAC photo by Preston Keres)
Cover crop grows on the rows where Corn stubble is left to stabilize the soil and return nutrients, at Deerfield Farm, in Deerfield, Massachusetts, on October 18, 2019. Deerfield Farm has worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) to create their conservation plan that includes the use of Forage and biomass Planting (512) and Establish and reseed their cover crop during the cool season, on October 18, 2019. Working with Natural Resource Specialist / Business Tools Coordinator Lisa Gilbert who records the progress with the conservation plan. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.
Forage and Biomass Planting, Conservation Practice Code 512 - Forage and biomass planting is used to establish adapted and/or compatible species, varieties, or cultivars of herbaceous species suitable for pasture, hay, or biomass production. For more information, please see nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/enespanol/?cid=nrcs144p2_027163
Cover Crop, Conservation Practice Code 340 - Crops including grasses, legumes, and forbs for seasonal cover and other conservation purposes. For more information, please see nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1046845.pdf
NRCS has a proud history of supporting America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. For more than 80 years, we have helped people make investments in their operations and local communities to keep working lands working, boost rural economies, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture, and improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and habitat.
As the USDA’s primary private lands conservation agency, we generate, manage, and share the data, technology, and standards that enable partners and policymakers to make decisions informed by objective, reliable science.
And through one-on-one, personalized advice, we work voluntarily with producers and communities to find the best solutions to meet their unique conservation and business goals. By doing so, we help ensure the health of our natural resources and the long-term sustainability of American agriculture.
Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) is the Department’s focal point for the nation’s farmers and ranchers and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands. FPAC agencies implement programs designed to mitigate the significant risks of farming through crop insurance services, conservation programs and technical assistance, and commodity, lending, and disaster programs.
The agencies and service supporting FPAC are Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA).
NRCS – NRCS - nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/
FPAC - Farm Production and Conservation - usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/mission-areas
USDA - USDA.gov
Sang Lee Farms, in Peconic, New York, transitioning to third generation, grows more than 100 varieties of specialty vegetables, including Brussel Sprouts (pictured), heirloom tomatoes, baby greens, herbs. They continue to feature Asian produce, growing many varieties of Chinese cabbages, greens, and radishes.
The farm has been operating and growing on Long Island for over 70 years. During this time the farm has evolved and survived through economic fluctuations, family loss and growth, local changes in demographics and changes in the nature of farming on Long Island.
(FPAC photo by Preston Keres)
Members of the community gathered at Todd Ballard's farm in Kimberly, Idaho for the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day on June 29, 2022. (NRCS Photo by Carly Whitmore)
USDA-NRCS State Soil Scientist Shawn Nield gives a soil health presentation at the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day in Kimberly, Idaho on June 29, 2022. (NRCS photo by Carly Whitmore)
Sang Lee Farms Primary Manager Lucy Senesac and her team participate in the Westhampton Beach Farmers Market,, New York, November 6, 2021..
Transitioning to third generation, the family grows more than 100 varieties of specialty vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, baby greens, herbs. They continue to feature Asian produce, growing many varieties of Chinese cabbages, greens, and radishes.
The farm has been operating and growing on Long Island for over 70 years. During this time the farm has evolved and survived through economic fluctuations, family loss and growth, local changes in demographics and changes in the nature of farming on Long Island.
(FPAC photo by Preston Keres)
Members of the community gathered at Todd Ballard's farm in Kimberly, Idaho for the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day on June 29, 2022. (NRCS Photo by Carly Whitmore)
A sample of healthy farm soil. Chris Lawrence, not pictured, an agronomist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, led an interactive presentation at a Chesapeake Bay Program Principals' Staff Committe event at Midway Farms in Richmond County, Va., on June 18, 2008. Lawrence demonstrated conservation tillage systems and soil quality improvement practices, and how they can address water quality goals through federal, state and local conservation programs. (Photo by Alicia Pimental/Chesapeake Bay Program)
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Micro irrigation is used to water the Mota Ranch’s 36 acre almond orchard in Livingston, CA on Thursday, July 23, 2015. Owner Jesse Mota worked with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Merced Service Center Soil Conservationist Tomas Aguilar-Campos to create a conservation plan that included cover crops and micro-irrigation using micro sprinklers to spray water from a low height to water the trees’ root zones providing customized and efficient irrigation for each tree. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.
Interseeded cover crops on Jack Boyer farm near Reinbeck, Iowa. Boyer used a spin seeder on trials to test success of seeding a cover crops mix into seed corn when corn is at V4 to V6 stage of growth. This is a Practical Farmers of Iowa trial to determine viability of interseeding cover crops and effect on seed corn yield.
Please Credit: NRCS/SWCS photo by Lynn Betts
One hundred foot long micro irrigation tubes distribute water at Leafy Greens Farms in the Salinas Valley, California on Thursday, June 16, 2011 A series of reduction couplings lead to the collapsible header tube that supply water to dozens of separate tubes. That take water to every plant in the row. Water evaporation is kept to a minimum because water is delivered to the soil, not sprayed into the air or to exposed areas. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.
USDA-NRCS State Soil Scientist Shawn Nield gives a soil health presentation at the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day in Kimberly, Idaho on June 29, 2022. (NRCS photo by Carly Whitmore)
Mota Ranch owner Jesse Mota holds a sample of an almond in his hand on July 22, 2015. Owner Jesse Mota worked with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Merced Service Center Soil Conservationist Tomas Aguilar-Campos to create a conservation plan for Mota Ranch. California currently faces three looming challenges in agriculture: drought conditions, bee decline and protecting soil health. Planting cover crops helps overcome all three issues by helping to trap moisture in the soil, improve soil organic matter, and attracting pollinators. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.
Chris Lee, Indiana NRCS tech team leader, checks the soil at a farm in Evansville, Indiana May 13, 2021. (Indiana NRCS photos by Brandon O’Connor) at a farm in Evansville, Indiana May 13, 2021. (Indiana NRCS photo by Brandon O'Connor)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Gilsizer Slough Project near South Township Rd, Yuba City, CA, Friday, August 28, 2015. Plum tree orchard near the Gilsizer Slough project features the installation of 40 high efficiency irrigation systems (50% water saving) and 40 vegetative cover crops and filter strips; and the adoption of nutrient and pest management practices by 40 producers. This field (not related to the USDA project) has berms that contain this plum orchard that normally uses flood irrigation to cover the soil with water from the adjacent Gilsizer Slough. But, due to the critical drought conditions, less and less water was drawn over the past four years. No water could be drawn in 2015. A well was drilled to pump ground water from the aquifer below. Water is delivered to this and other fields by way of control valves, underground pipes and surface canals. A danger to flood irrigation berms is the tunnels of borrowing animals. This can cause accelerated berm erosion and escape of irrigation water. If micro irrigation were to be installed, both systems could remain in place and work cooperatively, such as with flood being used for pest control and micro irrigation to water the tree roots. A perennial clover cover crop has been planted between the rows of trees, and emerges on it’s own each year. USDA Photo By Lance Cheung.
The Mota Ranch 45 acre almond orchard uses cover crops and micro irrigation in Livingston, CA on Apr. 16, 2015 Owner Jesse Mota worked with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Merced Service Center Soil Conservationist Tomas Aguilar-Campos to create a conservation plan for Mota Ranch. California currently faces three looming challenges in agriculture: drought conditions, bee decline and protecting soil health. Planting cover crops helps overcome all three issues by helping to trap moisture in the soil, improve soil organic matter, and attracting pollinators. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.he Mota Ranch almond orchard using cover crop and micro irrigation in Livingston, CA, on Thursday, April 16, 2015. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.
Almonds grow on the Mota Ranch 36 acre almond orchard using cover crop and micro irrigation in Livingston, CA on July 22, 2015. Owner Jesse Mota worked with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Merced Service Center Soil Conservationist Tomas Aguilar-Campos to create a conservation plan for Mota Ranch. California currently faces three looming challenges in agriculture: drought conditions, bee decline and protecting soil health. Planting cover crops helps overcome all three issues by helping to trap moisture in the soil, improve soil organic matter, and attracting pollinators. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.
Sang Lee Farms Primary Manager Lucy Senesac and her team participate in the Westhampton Beach Farmers Market,, New York, November 6, 2021..
Transitioning to third generation, the family grows more than 100 varieties of specialty vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, baby greens, herbs. They continue to feature Asian produce, growing many varieties of Chinese cabbages, greens, and radishes.
The farm has been operating and growing on Long Island for over 70 years. During this time the farm has evolved and survived through economic fluctuations, family loss and growth, local changes in demographics and changes in the nature of farming on Long Island.
(FPAC photo by Preston Keres)
Chris Lee, Indiana NRCS tech team leader, checks the soil at a farm in Evansville, Indiana May 13, 2021. (Indiana NRCS photos by Brandon O’Connor) at a farm in Evansville, Indiana May 13, 2021. (Indiana NRCS photo by Brandon O'Connor)
Patrick Bittner, a farmer in Evansville Indiana, plants corn directly into his cover crops on May 13, 2021. Bittner is a no-till farmer and he terminates the cover crops with a roller crimper after planting. The cover crops are made of a diverse 12 seed mix including Cereal rye, triticale, annual rye, rape, black oats, Balansa Fixation clover, Kentucky Pride Crimson, Hairy Vetch, Australian winter peas, Red clover, turnips and winter barley. (Indiana NRCS photos by Brandon O’Connor)
Cover crop grows on the rows where Corn stubble is left to stabilize the soil and return nutrients, at Deerfield Farm, in Deerfield, Massachusetts, on October 18, 2019. Deerfield Farm has worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) to create their conservation plan that includes the use of Forage and biomass Planting (512) and Establish and reseed their cover crop during the cool season, on October 18, 2019. Working with Natural Resource Specialist / Business Tools Coordinator Lisa Gilbert who records the progress with the conservation plan. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.
Forage and Biomass Planting, Conservation Practice Code 512 - Forage and biomass planting is used to establish adapted and/or compatible species, varieties, or cultivars of herbaceous species suitable for pasture, hay, or biomass production. For more information, please see nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/enespanol/?cid=nrcs144p2_027163
Cover Crop, Conservation Practice Code 340 - Crops including grasses, legumes, and forbs for seasonal cover and other conservation purposes. For more information, please see nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1046845.pdf
NRCS has a proud history of supporting America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. For more than 80 years, we have helped people make investments in their operations and local communities to keep working lands working, boost rural economies, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture, and improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and habitat.
As the USDA’s primary private lands conservation agency, we generate, manage, and share the data, technology, and standards that enable partners and policymakers to make decisions informed by objective, reliable science.
And through one-on-one, personalized advice, we work voluntarily with producers and communities to find the best solutions to meet their unique conservation and business goals. By doing so, we help ensure the health of our natural resources and the long-term sustainability of American agriculture.
Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) is the Department’s focal point for the nation’s farmers and ranchers and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands. FPAC agencies implement programs designed to mitigate the significant risks of farming through crop insurance services, conservation programs and technical assistance, and commodity, lending, and disaster programs.
The agencies and service supporting FPAC are Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA).
NRCS – NRCS - nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/
FPAC - Farm Production and Conservation - usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/mission-areas
USDA - USDA.gov
Members of the community gathered at Todd Ballard's farm in Kimberly, Idaho for the Magic Valley Soil Health Field Day on June 29, 2022. (NRCS Photo by Carly Whitmore)
Sang Lee Farms Primary Manager Lucy Senesac talks to a member of the kitchen staff about their pickled jalapeños, in Peconic, New York, November 5, 2021.
Sang Lee Farms, transitioning to third generation, grows more than 100 varieties of specialty vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, baby greens, herbs. They continue to feature Asian produce, growing many varieties of Chinese cabbages, greens, and radishes.
The farm has been operating and growing on Long Island for over 70 years. During this time the farm has evolved and survived through economic fluctuations, family loss and growth, local changes in demographics and changes in the nature of farming on Long Island.
(FPAC photo by Preston Keres)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Monterey County Conservationist Robert LaFleur (right) pull a hand full of rye so farmer Tom Heess (left) of Leafy Greens Farm can check the health of the roots at this Salinas Valley farm in California on Thursday, June 16, 2011. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.
Brad Hunter plants corn into a stand of cover crop on his farm in Porter County, Indiana. 5/4/2023; photo donated to USDA by Jacob Tosch, Porter County SWCD.