Nutrient Management Research Database

NCAT Agriculture Specialists Marisa Alcorta and Rex Dufour have been helping Spanish-speaking farmers in California's Central Valley experiment with cover crops as a strategy for improving soil quality and providing habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators.  This project was led by UC Berkeley's Jennifer Sowerwine and Christy Getz with support from the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program.

This video presents work conducted by the National Center for Appropriate Technology, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, UC Berkeley and the United States Department of Agriculture.  The video documents a Modesto almond farmer's experience planting the first cover crop in his orchard.  

Some key details include:

• The cover crop planted was a blend of phacelia, blando brome grass, buckwheat, vetch, field peas and brassicas.
• An inoculation was added of rhizobacteria for the legumes in the mixture. 
• Calculations are given to apply approximately 100 pounds of seed per acre.  

• To plant the orchard, the farmer received financial support through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).   
• No results were given related to soil quality or almond yields