Cover Crops

What are cover crops?

Cover crops are plants that are grown in agricultural fields both before the main crop is planted and after it is harvested. Cover crops have many benefits to the landowner and the community. Cover crops help to protect water quality and build soil health.

Cover crops help to reduce:

Loss of nutrients and topsoil
Wind speed at ground level which reduces wind and water erosion and the speed of water runoff.

If you have any questions at all about the forms or application process, please contact Brooklyn or Hope.

Their contact information is on our staff contacts page.

Cover Crops Map

Check out the map

Click the link or image below to go to the interactive map.

In the Cover Crops map, please enter your address in the search bar on the top right of the map below to determine what watershed you are in. Then click the map to determine the programs for which you are eligible and to get a link to the proper application form. To consult the legend press the >> on the top left corner of the map.

Cover Crop Incentive Program Application Forms

Here are the links to the forms:

Application Form – Cover Crop Boost Program – Canada Nature Fund – ECCC – PDF file
Cover Crop Boost Program Project Requirements – Main Bayfield – PDF file
Canada Nature Fund Requirements – PDF file
ECCC (Environment and Climate Change Canada) Priority Place Fund Requirements – 200 KB (medium-sized) PDF file
Huron Clean Water Project Cover Crop Application and Expense Claim Form 2025 and Requirements – 300 KB (medium-sized) PDF file
Contact staff
Cover Crop Demonstration – Cover Crop Solutions – #covercrops #60inchcorn

Video of Drone Application of Cover Crops

Check out this new (2025) video of drone application of cover crops:

Integration of Cover Crops by Drone (video)

Cover Crops and Soil Health

Visit our page for recent soil health initiatives. Also, visit the soils web page of the Conservation Strategy developed by your watershed community.