Shared Cover Crop Learning Equals Multiplied Learning

For those practicing conservation, this time of year is particularly important for cover crop management.

I just sat down with Rob Myers, director for the Center for Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Missouri, to record a podcast about the keys to managing cover crops in Springtime. And while that episode is a good quick hitter, it doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface on all the topics surrounding cover crops these days. That’s where the National Cover Crop Summit comes in handy.

Now in its 7th year, this year’s 100% digital event provides farmers with FREE access to 8 different on-demand video presentations from farmers, educators, researchers and other cover crop experts. From grazing cover crops to using them for weed management and everything in-between, the virtual event offers a plethora of actionable learning opportunities.

But there is a unique opportunity here for you — and your equipment dealers, ag retailers and co-ops for that matter — to get even more out of this unique opportunity.

While part of the appeal of this format is for farmers to sign up and view these video sessions at their own pace from the comfort of their own home or office, another great opportunity we’ve heard about is the idea of a “viewing party" where farmers might watch and learn together and then unpack them and bounce questions off each other after the sessions are over.

And for equipment dealers and other agribusinesses, what better way to get farmers in the door than to organize a viewing session at the dealership where growers can gather and learn together in your modern, and comfortable conference.

This “event” continues to bring new farmers to the table … in fact, our data shows that more than 15% of its registrants are new to our database – meaning a no-till and conservation dialog often starts here.

And if you have a technology-equipped farm shed, this is an opportunity to take a page out of Indiana no-tiller Mike Starkey’s book, and invite others to your farm to share these sessions with them and collectively workshop the issues for your own local conditions. All ag is local, and the shared expertise in your backyard is when you can get success in cover crops “cooking with gas.”

All this to say — if you haven't signed up for the 2025 National Cover Crop Summit yet, do so today HERE. And further, consider calling up some co-workers, customers, neighbors or your local agronomists or extension folks and bring that knowledge-multiplier effect that comes from a shared learning experience.

If you’re interested in hosting a viewing party, you can get exclusive access to digital materials that will help guide your discussions, bring new ideas to the table and help your group gain the most from the sessions. Additionally, you'll also be offered a special discounted group-rate to No-Till Farmer and a digital report bundle that includes all 5 of our special reports from 2024. If interested, please reach out to Kayla Schneider at kschneider@lessitermedia.com to see if your group qualifies.