From my work with cover cropping farmers, I’ve identified six mindsets here and abroad that are common to successful cover croppers. Having these correct mindsets will pave your way to success:

1. Willingness to try a new practice. Being willing to take the plunge — strategically move — into a new concept at your own expense is a must. Those making cover crops pay are treating them like their cash crops. They plan out 12 months or more in advance to maximize that potential. They know what they want to accomplish, and have identified plant species that are appropriate for their planting window.

2. All-in commitment. Veteran cover croppers are strongly committed to making it work — crucial, because the details are complex. It takes the same amount of homework as your cash crops. But you need to stick to it even when results don’t turn out as expected.

3. Always learning any way possible. They attend cover crop meetings, field days, even webinars to absorb the latest know-how on making it work. One farmer said everything he learned about cover crops was from YouTube videos. Cover crop information is now abundant in many different formats.

Most effective cover croppers have a mentor or a group they’re involved with that regularly communicates what works in their situations. Many Facebook groups focus on it. Even Twitter can be a goldmine of information nuggets.

4. Understand risks, but not afraid to fail. This is a more subtle mindset, but perhaps the most significant. They know cover crops aren’t a “magic bullet.” The best management practice is a tool that has risks despite many benefits. They try to make their mistakes small, and every failure is seen as a learning experience for building their successes.

5. Ability to adapt. Good producers have a knack for adapting to a change of plans — a “plan B” in case their original strategy doesn’t work out. Sometimes, those spur of the moment, on-site decisions determine success or failure. As you become more comfortable and understand cover crop functions, you’ll become more confident. And, you’ll recognize it’s a moving target; adaptation will never end.

6. Understand where the future is going. Cover cropping is an investment in your most valuable asset — your soil. Astute producers think it as more of a generational thing — not a seasonal thing.

Today’s consumer wants to know how you grow their food, and the cover crop story is very compelling to them. Perceptive farmers know this and intentionally head this direction.

The Coach’s Closer
Cover crops make a good farmer better and a bad farmer worse. Success is directly related to your ability and mindset to manage variables coming up every season.

Groff is a cover crop pioneer and innovator who farms on the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Check out his website, covercropcoaching.com.