By Andi Anderson
Farmers interested in improving soil health, boosting crop productivity, and increasing profitability have new opportunities through the growing Michigan Forever Green Field Crops farmer group. The network supports growers who want to incorporate overwintering crops such as winter canola, wheat, and cover crops into their farming operations.
Overwintering crops provide several potential benefits for farmers. Keeping fields green throughout the year can improve soil health, reduce erosion, spread fieldwork more evenly across seasons, and create opportunities for higher whole-farm profitability. These crops can also help diversify crop rotations and improve long-term sustainability.
The Michigan Forever Green initiative recently received an additional two years of funding through financial support provided in part by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). The funding will help continue efforts to build farmer networks focused on maintaining living plant cover on farmland year-round.
The program encourages farmer-to-farmer learning by connecting growers with experienced producers and agronomists who have successfully implemented overwintering crop systems. Participants can gain practical knowledge about crop management strategies, soil improvement practices, and techniques for increasing profitability.
Membership in the network provides several valuable benefits. Farmers can access free soil health testing, receive support for on-farm soil health and crop production research, participate in farmer-to-farmer consultations, and obtain discounts on 2026 canola seed. These resources are designed to help producers make informed management decisions and evaluate new production practices on their own farms.
The network also hosts educational events throughout the growing season. One upcoming event, Coffee and Canola, will be held on August 26 and hosted by Wagner Farms. Participants will tour fields featuring double-cropped soybeans following canola production and receive timely recommendations for canola planting.
Another event, Supper and Soil Health, is scheduled for September 9 and will be hosted by Gross Farms. Attendees will explore cover crop fields established after wheat harvest and review soil health testing results, including demonstrations that showcase soil biological activity and overall soil quality improvements.
Michigan Forever Green operates through partnerships with Michigan State University Extension, ADM, Michigan Wheat Program, and the Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network. Supported by the MDARD Regenerative Farmer Network Grant, the initiative focuses on developing educational resources, encouraging collaboration among farmers, and identifying research priorities to improve recommendations for overwintering crop production.
By combining research, practical experience, and peer learning, the Michigan Forever Green Field Crops farmer group is helping Michigan growers build healthier soils, strengthen farm profitability, and adopt sustainable cropping systems for the future.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: Michigan, Sustainable Agriculture