Progress report for LS22-371
Project Information
During recent research on cover crops in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas we noticed an anomaly: after a winter planting of crimson clover, pigweed germination was reduced by 95%. Pigweeds (Amaranthus spp) are fast-germinating and fast-growing annual summer weeds found in crop lands throughout the country. We wondered why pigweed was suppressed so greatly by crimson clover. Was it allelopathy or some other factor? Woolly croton, sunflower, and Parthenium were also suppressed to varying degrees by crimson clover, well into the next summer growing season.
We have noticed through the years that some cover crops do better than others at controlling specific weeds. For example, in South Texas pigeon peas suppressed sunflowers especially well. And in earlier trials Austrian winter peas showed promise for control of Bermuda grass and nutsedge. These anecdotal findings lead us to wonder if some of these weed suppressing effects can be proven in controlled studies and what other weed/cover crop pairings might be suitable for southern farms.
In this research and education project, we propose to work with limited-resource producers in four southern states, carrying out controlled studies to test the efficacy of various cover crops in suppressing some of the most troublesome weeds. In the process of carrying out these studies, underserved and limited resource farmers in several states will gain firsthand experience with cover crops.
Producers from the Southeastern African American Organic Network, Operation Spring Plant, and our established collaborators in Texas will inventory their weeds each season. Based on these inventories we will develop a map that catalogues regions according to weed prevalence. This online map will aid us in developing a cover crop selection tool that will be one of the major deliverables of this project. We will also create a handy weed versus cover crop guide, geared specifically toward reducing certain weeds. This publication will also include stories from farmers.
We’ll disseminate knowledge gained from this research through conferences such as Texas Organic Farmers and Gardener’s Association (TOFGA) and Southern Cover Crops Council, NCAT’s ATTRA website, partner organization websites, and various social media channels including blogs, Facebook posts and podcasts.
1: Expand the knowledge base concerning which cover crops work best for specific weeds in the South.
2: Expand usage of cover crops by limited-resource producers throughout the South to achieve weed suppression on farm.
3: Develop cover crop selection tools for southern farms.
4: Collect the stories of the farmer cooperators and older farmers about how to deal with weeds in a guide that also includes agronomic data about cover crops so the next generation can benefit from their knowledge.
Cooperators
- - Technical Advisor
Research
Farmers in the three organizations networks; Operation Spring Plant, Swhich cover crops AAFON and NCAT are growing various cover crops in their fields to determine which cover crops suppress which weeds in their Fields. On-going.
The research is on-going
The media is too large to attach the files.
Education
For producers in the research project the educational approach is hands-on, learn by doing. Each farmer participant was given a stipend and provided with the basic experimental field map and instructed to plant covers in the RCBD pattern. The producers then planted according to the the field and later once the crops grew they could see differences in weed populations according to the cover crop planted.
For conference and workshop attendees cover crop strategies and concepts were presented so that they could learn why cover crops were so important to their operations and have a practical working knowledge of how to integrate them into their operations.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
On 12 January 2023 Operation Spring Plant hosted its annual conference in Raleigh where cover cropping was introduced to 65 producers
On 12 August 2023 a cover cropping class was conducted in Oxford, NC to 14 individuals, 4 of whom received on site farm visits and consultations.
In January of 2024 Operation Spring Plant hosted its annual conference in Durham where 50 participants attended the cover cropping seminar lead by Justin.
On 17 August 2023 SAAFON hosted a cover cropping class lead by Justin for its farmer participants in Hazlehurst, MS, where 15 participants and 5 SAAFON personnel attended.
On 11 January 2025 Justin taught a cover crop class to 80 attendees at the Operation Spring Plant Conference in Wilson, NC
on 25 April 2024 Justin lead a farm tour and cover crop class in Balch Springs, TX with 6 people in attendance
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1 November 2024 Justin presented at the National BUGs conference in Houston, Texas where 210 people learned about cover crops and 840 people were in attendance and 50 publications on cover crops were distributed.
There have been numerous posts on various social media platforms introducing cover crops to producers made by ATTRA and Justin's personal pages
Learning Outcomes
Plant cover crops
identify weeds
Project Outcomes
PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT
2023-2024 COVER CROP PROJECT- OPERATION SPRING PLANT, INC.
Submitted September 24TH 2024.
In support of our agreement for the project "Evaluating Cover Crops for Weed Reduction Throughout the Southern States," Operation Spring Plant, Inc. successfully organized four on-farm workshops with farmers interested in experimenting with cover crops. The first successful, resounding workshop was held at OSP’s demonstration site, Olusanya LLC, on May 23rd, 2023. We invited speaker Justin Duncan to speak on Climate Conservation and Cover Crop Implementation to increase farmer knowledge and implementation of cover crops. With thirteen people in attendance, we could see what farmers were interested in joining our project, highlighting the importance of our work. Phillip J. Barker met with four dedicated farmers to discuss their cover crop project plans. These farmers were selected for their eagerness to learn about cover crops and their commitment to gaining experience. Our five farmers began planting their first session of cover crops in October and continued to monitor their crops throughout the winter. Farmers planted wheat, cowpeas, buckwheat, lima beans, winter rye, clover, and fescue. Plots were fifty-two feet wide and 156 feet long. The 52-foot side was broken into (3) 17ft lengths. The 156ft long side was broken into (6) 26ft lengths. This yielded eighteen subplots to be planted by pattern.
Operation Spring Plant's cover crop project has made considerable progress through a well-organized sequence of steps. We began by conducting group meetings in Granville County, Franklin County, and Person County to initiate discussions about our cover crop project and ensure stakeholders comprehended our project plans.
Following these group meetings, we organized five individual meetings with the farmers. These sessions were a platform for us to distribute seeds, create detailed implementation plans, mark off specific plots for the cover crop, and address any questions or concerns raised by the farmers. Each farmer was presented with a comprehensive plan that included what seeds would be provided, plot layout and measurements, and how to report their findings. We also emphasized the importance of each farmer's responsibility to report progress and capture crop photos, ensuring a thorough and transparent process. Our next meeting, held on December 8th, 2023, was another step in our project: educating farmers on conducting cover crop research. Twenty-five people participated in this workshop, including our farmers participating in this project.
On January 12th, 2024, Operation Spring Plant, Inc. hosted our 2024 Annual Conference in Durham, North Carolina. Over 150 people, including local farmers and numerous others from across the state, attended. Operation Spring Plant’s agenda included a workshop on cover crops, providing a valuable learning opportunity for our local farmers. Participants learned why cover crops are important and how beneficial they are in sustaining agriculture. We also had guests from South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, St. Louis, and Pennsylvania in attendance. In February, Operation Spring Plant was also invited to the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Conference to present on cover crops, furthering our mission to empower farmers with knowledge about the importance of cover crops and their resilience in the face of climate change.
In March 2024, our resolute farmers proudly completed their inaugural planting of cover crops last October. All the participating farmers saw an improvement in their soil, and various weeds were present but minimal. Their success in weed control and soil
improvement is a testament to the impactful benefits of cover crops. The positive impact on soil quality and nutrient retention, as evidenced by the innovative pairing of turnip salad with cover crops, is a promising sign for the future of sustainable agriculture. While they encountered some challenges with thick growth from cover crops overshadowing the turnip salad and other crops planted like radishes, the overall positive impact on soil quality and nutrient retention cannot be overlooked.
Operation Spring Plant coordinated regular meetings to allow farmers to update each other and share insights and results. This allowed the farmers to prepare for the summer crop by open discussion. In July 2024, the farmers began planting their summer cover crops. With temperatures reaching the high 90s, we could see how cover crops reacted in extreme heat. Our farmers planted buckwheat, cowpeas, peanuts, sudangrass, and sweet potatoes. Ten pounds of each seed. Farmers observed their crops over the next few months following the same layout as previously stated. The cover crops thrived in protecting the soil but did little to minimize the weeds. Various weeds were reported, including Johnson grass, red-root pigweed, and giant foxtail. The cowpeas and buckwheat did not do as well as the sudangrass and sweet potatoes. The peanuts did not germinate at all.
As researchers, we are committed to expanding our knowledge of cover crops and their performance in extreme weather conditions in the face of climate change. The extreme temperatures we have experienced this year have presented a unique and significant opportunity to study the critical role of cover crops and their soil protection capabilities. This project is of the utmost importance and depends on each of us to uncover a wealth of information, including soil protection, weed suppression,
biodiversity, and much more. Our work is not just about farming but protecting our environment and ensuring a sustainable future.
. As we draw to a close, we must recognize that Operation Spring Plant and our partnership with our farmers have been collaborative efforts. We have deepened our understanding of Cover Crops and the art of cultivating specific cover crops. Our collective journey of trial and error and dedicated research has led to a wealth of knowledge that we are excited to share with other farmers in our communities. We will wrap up the season with a group session to discuss our collective insights and individual visits to witness the final product.