Blue Grama – Great for Erosion Control and Grazing

CRP Seed Mixes /

Bouteloua gracilis, more commonly referred to as “blue grama”, is a popular warm-season perennial grass. As the widest distributed of all grama grasses, it can be found throughout the Midwest and Plains region, as well as states like California, Florida, and Maine.   Despite the name, it is typically green, turning gold towards the end of the year. Additionally, it bears distinct comb-like floral spikes that can range from green to a reddish-purple. When fully grown, blue […]

Blue Grama – Great for Erosion Control and Grazing Read More »

Why Farmers Need to Take Soil Erosion Seriously

Conservation /

Every farmer understands how important topsoil is. After all, 95% of our food depends on it. Unfortunately, the US is losing topsoil 10x faster than it’s being replenished. Considering it takes at least 100 years for new topsoil to develop, this is a very serious issue.   It is not, however, a new issue.  We’ve lost over half of our topsoil over the past 150

Why Farmers Need to Take Soil Erosion Seriously Read More »

General CRP Enrollment for 2021 Has Been Extended

Conservation, CRP Establishment, News /

Annual enrollment for general CRP officially opened on January 4th of this year. Originally, enrollment was scheduled to close on February 12. However, the USDA has officially announced that enrollment will remain open for an unspecified period of time.  This means that farmers and landowners still have a chance to submit proposals and earn a contract for general CRP

General CRP Enrollment for 2021 Has Been Extended Read More »

Canada Wildrye – A Bunchgrass That’s Great for Erosion Control

CRP Seed Mixes, Featured Seed /

Elymus canadensis, better known as Canada wildrye or Canadian wildrye, is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass found throughout most of the US. It is especially common in plains areas, though it can also be found in woodlands, dunes, and savannas. In addition to thriving in a variety of soil types, it’s also shade tolerant.  Canada wildrye can grow between 2.5 to 6 feet tall. When fully grown, it features thick seed heads with long, thin

Canada Wildrye – A Bunchgrass That’s Great for Erosion Control Read More »

Joining the Carbon Market as a Farmer

Conservation /

With the emphasis the Biden administration is placing on sustainability and the environment, it’s a guarantee that farmers will be affected over the next four years. In fact, farmers may be the key to making President Biden’s goals a reality. After all when it comes to carbon sequestration, herbaceous sequestration provides a number of advantages over woody sequestration.   

Joining the Carbon Market as a Farmer Read More »

The Biden Administration’s Plans for Agriculture and Carbon Banking

Conservation /

Just over a month into his presidency, President Joe Biden has already signed more than 50 executive orders into action. While the majority of these policies are focused on the pandemic and immigration, the environment is also a key focus of the new president. President Biden has significant plans for reducing emissions and combatting climate changes, and farmers are certain to play

The Biden Administration’s Plans for Agriculture and Carbon Banking Read More »

Sideoats Grama: A Short, Nutritious Warm Season Grass

Featured Seed /
Sideoats Grama - CRP

Bouteloua curtipendula is a short prairie grass better known as sideoats grama. This bunchy grass is known for its oat-like clusters that grow to one side of its stems. The stems themselves can reach heights of 2-3 feet tall. Though typically green with clusters of golden brown, sideoats grama can turn purple or red later in the year.  This warm season perennial can be found throughout almost all of the

Sideoats Grama: A Short, Nutritious Warm Season Grass Read More »

General CRP, CCRP, and CREP: What’s the Difference?

Conservation, CRP Establishment /

Enrollment for general CRP is currently open until February 12. However, this isn’t the only way to join the Conservation Reserve Program. Two other popular programs within CRP are Continuous CRP and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).   General CRP, CCRP, and CREP are very similar for the most part. All of them are conservation programs overseen

General CRP, CCRP, and CREP: What’s the Difference? Read More »

Understanding and Improving Your EBI Score for CRP

CRP Establishment /

Enrollment for general CRP in 2021 is currently open until February 14th, which means there’s still time to enroll. To enter general CRP, interested parties need to submit a bid. This bid is then scored and ranked according to the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI).  The EBI is a ranking system used to determine how environmentally beneficial a general CRP submission is. During

Understanding and Improving Your EBI Score for CRP Read More »

White Prairie Clover

Featured Seed /
Daleacandida

Dalea candida is a flowering legume best known as white prairie clover. Found throughout the middle of the US, as well as select other states, white prairie clover can thrive in a variety of environments including prairies, opening in forests, and more.  White prairie clover most prominent feature is the cone-like spikes at the tops of its stems. From these, pure white flower petals

White Prairie Clover Read More »