Developing a National Cover Crops and Seed Database

Grant Amount: $16,500

Region: National

Delivered by: Soil Land Food

Year funded: 2023

Project status: In progress

The Challenge

Farmers have been looking for information on the best cover cropping systems for fallow, cash or complementary crops, that will also enhance soil health functions, but at present that information is incomplete and scattered.

The Innovation

Soil Land Food is developing a National Cover Crops and Seed Database, a practical, open-source resource to help farmers select appropriate cover crops.

This resource will:

• Collate scattered information into a practical resource for farmers
• Make the information freely available
• Integrate cover cropping information with other soil health management skills via a website

Soil Land Food is drawing on the experience of their network of farmers and seed suppliers to bring information into one place that can be ‘searched’ according to season, soil type, purpose etc, and then downloaded for reference. The Soil Land Food team will also periodically update and improve it.

Why did Sustainable Table fund this project?

Cover cropping is a key tool for regenerating our soils, building soil carbon and water holding capacity, enhancing production systems and drought resilience. However, specific information and guidance is difficult to access for farmers. A lot of growers are currently having to build this knowledge out through the arduous task of  trial and error. An open source that provides specific guidance on local conditions and production types fills a critical knowledge gap and will support farmers to regenerate their soils.

To help us support more projects like this and regenerate Australian food and farming, please consider donating today.