The federal Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has recently awarded a Conservation Innovation Grant to NC State University to support development and education of a cover crop and no-till production method for organic grains.  The federal NRCS awarded NC State and collaborating partner Center for Agriculture Partnerships, $249,289 to demonstrate and promote adoption of an innovative cover crop management system (roll kill/no-till) that significantly reduces tillage and resource concerns in organic grain rotations in the southeast.

Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton, the Project Director and Professor in the Department of Crop Science at NC State , says that the intensive tillage needed in organic grain production to control weeds can be the biggest resource concern in an otherwise environmentally-friendly production method.  The project funded by this grant will demonstrate an innovative planting system in organic grain production that significantly reduces tillage, and therefore soil resource concerns in organic grain rotations.

The roll-kill/no-till practice starts with roll-killing a cover crop with a tractor-mounted, heavy roller design that has crimping blades attached in a chevron pattern. Grain crops are planted directly into the rolled cover crop mulch. In conjunction with other innovative weed management tools, the mulch suppresses weed growth and increases carbon sequestration, water holding capacity, and water infiltration.

Demonstrations and extension events will comprise the outreach and education aspect of the project.  Three on-farm field days and workshops will be held each year of the two year project.  These events will focus on the cover crop management and roll-kill planting technique that is being demonstrated on cooperating producer’s farms.

Technical guidelines for implementing the approach will also be published as NC State Extension bulletins and in the NC Organic Grain Production Guide.