Event information
Location
Online course
Contact
Anna Cates,
Phyllis Bongard, [email protected]
Liz Stahl, [email protected]
Cover Crop Academy
Arm yourself with research-based information to help farmers incorporate cover crops into Minnesota’s short growing season and build soil health systems that are agronomic and economic successes.
The Minnesota Cover Crop Academy is a year-long, statewide, hybrid course for crop consultants and ag advisors in Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices who work with cover crops. This course combines in-person and online sessions and online learning modules.
You will have access to the course materials beginning December 1, 2025.
For more information, see the Cover Crop Academy page.
Audience
Crop consultants and ag advisors in soil and water conservation districts (SWCD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices who work with cover crops
Cost
- $100
- Scholarships are available. Contact Anna Cates at for more information.
Registration
- Registration is limited and closes June 6.
- Select from one of three locations for the in-person field days in June and May.
- You will receive instructions for accessing the online course materials after you register.
Accommodations
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, reach out to the event contact two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Language
This offering is delivered in English. Interpreter services may be available with an advance request.
2026-27 Schedule
The Cover Crop Academy will include both in-person and online meetings, and online learning modules. The learning modules will help you prepare you for the online meetings. For the in-person meetings, you should plan to attend the nearest location.
In-person meetings
You will meet instructors and your team members at the in-person Cover Crop Academy kick-off meeting and field day. To answer your questions about cover crop species, mixes and methods, you will design replicated research plots that will be planted at each location in the fall. Select your location in Module 1 of the Canvas course.
- June 9, 2026: Rosholt Research Farm, Westport
- June 16, 2026: Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca
- June 25, 2026: Southwest Research and Outreach Center, Lamberton
- May 2027: TBD, at each research center listed above
Online meeting topics
A series of five online meetings will cover essentials, giving you the confidence to work with farmers to implement cover crops. All online meetings will be held on Zoom from 10 a.m. to noon. Instructors will include farmers, consultants and university experts.
July 14, 2026: Developing a cover crop plan
- Cover crop species selection, seeding methods and rates.
- Each cohort will develop a small plot research trial plan.
September 8, 2026: Weed control and cover crops
- Herbicide residuals/carryover.
- Cover crop termination timing.
November 17, 2026: Managing soil fertility in cover crop systems
- Nitrogen management: N application rates, and N credits and tie-up.
- Manure application in cover crops.
- Reduced tillage systems.
January 12, 2027: Avoiding cash crop issues after cover crops
- Planter specs and modifications.
- Insect pest issues.
- Farmer panel on what to expect in the spring.
March 9, 2027: Where’s the easy button? Getting started with cover crops
- Easy entry points in the crop rotation.
- Economics of cover crops.
- Forage production and quality goals with cover crops.