Agriculture producers who are interested in planting a warm season cover crop and reside in OACD Area V are invited to apply to establish a demonstration farm through the Healthy Soils Project. Application deadline is Jan. 30, 2019.
The Oklahoma Healthy Soils Project is a 5 year private/public partnership to encourage agricultural producers to incorporate cover crops into their operation. This project aims to evaluate the economic feasibility of cover crops in Oklahoma. The first four demonstration farms launched in 2016. OACD is establishing the final demonstration farm in Area V in 2019.
Qualifications for Participation:
Producer must be EQIP eligible to participate as defined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Producer’s operation is located in Area V as defined by the Oklahoma Association of Conservation District’s area map below.
Producer has been active in continuous no-till agriculture for a minimum of one year.
Producer has a minimum of eighty (80) acres that they can dedicate to the demonstration farm project. An ideal location will be able to allocate 120 - 160 acres for the project.
Producer demonstrates a keen interest in learning about the impact of cover crops and sharing the information gained with their community and peers.
Producer is willing to open demonstration farm location for monitoring, information gathering and field days.
A producer that qualifies for one or more traditionally underserved populations as defined by NRCS is strongly preferred.
Producer is willing to participate in on-going conversations and meetings with a local agriculture producer that has experience in cover crops and conservation based practices.
Why Apply?
Producers selected to participate in the program may receive the following benefits:
Financial Assistance including seed/fair rental rate compensation, funds to offset farming expenses, and technical assistance. Benefits may include up to $115 per acre of land enrolled in the Healthy Soils Project
All seed costs for cover crop rotation
Scientific monitoring equipment usage for the duration of the project including Haney soil tests, soil temperature and moisture monitoring
Assistance with yield monitoring on the subsequent cash crops
Economic analysis on feasibility of cover crops
A peer “mentor” to help assist in the process
Deadlines
The 2019 application cycle is open to those individuals that meet the above criteria and who are interested in planting a warm season cover crop and reside in area V in the Oklahoma Association of Conservation District’s area map, listed above. All applications need to be postmarked or email on or before January 30, 2019 to be eligible for consideration. Selections for the warm season cover crop cooperators will be made at in February 2019.