A cover crop is a crop planted for the purpose of providing seasonal cover or for other conservation purposes such as improvement of soil, erosion control, control of pests, or to provide supplemental forage for livestock.  Cover crops can also provide essential habitat for both game and non-game wildlife, including beneficial insects.  

A workshop for Integrating Cover Crops into Agriculture and Wildlife Management will be held March 24 at 6:00 pm at the American Legion in Axtell, KS. Speakers will include cover crop experts, wildlife biologists, local producers, and cost share partners. Lunch will be provided. This free event is hosted by Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Pheasants Forever, and Tuttle Creek WRAPS.  Please RSVP to Zachary Cordes 785-539-7941 by March 20.  

Delaware & Tuttle Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS), Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism (KDWPT), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have cost share funds and technical assistance available to improve wildlife habitat and water quality on private land with cover crops. In some cases, cost share from these programs can be combined, making these practices very affordable for landowners.

Interested landowners should act quickly to take advantage of cost share resources. To find out if a project on your land qualifies for these programs, contact Tyler Warner, KDWPT Wildlife Biologist 785-945-6615, Melissa Arthur, Delaware WRAPS Coordinator at 785-284-3422, Barbara Donovan, Tuttle WRAPS Coordinator at 651-247-8292 or your County’s USDA Service Center.