The Need as Indicated by Stakeholders: The issues requiring attention through cover crop research in the Southern region were identified through formal and informal one-on-one and group meetings with farmers, technical advisors, and other agricultural professionals in the region. The Southern Cover Crops Council (SCCC) is a community of farmers, researchers, extension specialists, industry personnel, and non-governmental organizations. The SCCC developed the initial Hatch project to facilitate the participation in multistate research on cover crops of its members who are located at land-grant universities, including the involvement of extension agents that regularly collaborate on cover crop research and extension activities with Faculty at land-grant institutions. To this end, the SCCC established a strategy team tasked with identifying research priorities for region-wide research and establishing goals and objectives for the proposed research. The team systematically elicited critical objectives from members of the SCCC who participated via email or teleconference. These individuals provided four sets of critical research objectives, focusing on row crops, specialty crops, winter and summer cover crops, and grazing. Research objectives in row cropping systems concentrated on three primary themes: nutrient management, pest management, and the effects of cover crops on soil moisture. For specialty crops, key considerations were the effects of cover crops on soil and water quality, including erosion control, soil moisture management, and pest management. Winter cover crop objectives included cover crop management (variety selection, planting and termination timing, and residue management), effects on soil health and quality (moisture retention) and obtaining better information regarding the long-term economic and biophysical benefits of cover crop use. Objectives for summer cover crops were similar but typically more specific to a particular crop or cropping system, most often a specialty crop. Grazing management strategies, including rotational grazing using annuals and mixed species, emerged as specific priorities.

The importance of the work, and what the consequences are if it is not done: The significance of this work and the potential ramifications if left unaddressed are paramount. The identified need, as communicated by stakeholders in the Southern region, underscores the critical issues demanding attention in cover crop research. The SCCC played a pivotal role in establishing research priorities and goals. The decision to undertake this work as a multistate effort is strategic and well-founded. The Southern region's diverse climates, topography, and production systems necessitate a collaborative approach to cover crop research. A multistate endeavor not only accommodates subregional differences but also enhances the research's scope, applicability, and overall quality.

The potential impacts of successfully completing this work are far-reaching. Educational materials, databases, and decision support tools tailored to the southern region will emerge, empowering farmers and ranchers. The enhanced communication platforms facilitated by the SCCC, coupled with peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, will further amplify the positive outcomes. The collaborative networks forged through this multistate project are poised to significantly expand the successful implementation of cover crops across the region.

Technical feasibility of the research: A key strength of this multistate project lies in the commitment of SCCC members to offer guidance and oversight through a dedicated SCCC Board standing committee – the SCCC research committee. Monthly meetings of the board and committees, quarterly meetings of the general membership, and annual meetings open to all will ensure that collaborations across the region receive organization attention at frequent intervals. Leveraging the active involvement of SCCC members in cover crop research within their respective states, the project taps into their knowledge, enriching the existing expertise in cover crops and utilizing the communication and governing protocols established by the SCCC. With voluntary membership reflecting a diverse community of experts, including farmers, extension and outreach specialists, cover crop seed industry staff, and USDA-NRCS personnel, the research benefits from real-world perspectives that play a vital role in shaping its direction.

The advantages for doing the work as a multistate effort: A major goal of the SCCC is to promote natural resource conservation through the use of cover crops that increase farm profitability and environmental stewardship by increasing the knowledge and skills of farmers and ranchers. Coordinated, multistate research is regarded as a key component that will contribute to achieving this goal. The southern region encompasses a range of climates, topography, soil types, and production systems. These differences can influence cover crop adaptability and contribute to the site-specific performance typical with cover crops. The establishment of a multistate project provides a mechanism and framework to build the research and outreach networks that will ensure coordinated research and associated extension provide farmers and ranchers with the knowledge and technology that will lead to favorable outcomes and impacts. A multistate approach will allow the development of recommendations and decision aids that adjust for subregional differences and peculiarities. The multistate collaborations fostered will improve the likelihood of successfully obtaining research funding from grant programs that encourage a multistate approach.

While there may be variations in equipment for planting, irrigation, data collection, and termination across locations—a potential limitation—it also presents an advantage. The diversity in available equipment allows for insights into different approaches employed by farmers in implementing and terminating cover crops. Embracing a multistate approach facilitates the engagement of scientists with complementary expertise, spanning breeding, pest management (e.g., weeds), and soil health (e.g., soil fertility, microbial ecology). This broadens the research's scope, increasing its extent, applicability, and overall quality of results, while also providing opportunities to quantify trade-offs among cover crop effects. In addition to the strengths highlighted, it's crucial to emphasize the proactive approach toward standardizing crop management and data collection and analysis methods across locations. This strategic initiative serves a dual purpose: first, it showcases cover crop management practices that align with local and typical farmer approaches, thereby lowering barriers to adoption. Second, it establishes a foundation for generating robust evidence by promoting consistency in results across various locations and years, reinforcing hypotheses when similarities emerge. This commitment to standardization not only enhances the practicality of implementing cover crops but also strengthens the scientific validity of the research outcomes.

This is especially true for certain cash crops that are grown in several areas across the Southeastern U.S.  These include corn, cotton, soybean, sorghum, forages, and peanuts, depending upon the soil type and climate appropriateness for each.  Vegetable crops include tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and sweet potatoes, onions, and fruit and nut orchard crops.  There are also emerging opportunities to provide new insights into silviculture as well as viticulture. Ultimately, having cash crops that are commonly grown in the area strengthens the capacity to conduct work meaningful to the Southeast, and it reinforces the justification for a multi-state group focusing on cover crops across the region.

Likely impacts from successfully completing the work: The research will result in increased cover crop options for the southern region and improved knowledge about how, where, and when cover crops should be used to optimize benefits and minimize tradeoffs. Research results will contribute to the development of educational materials and databases, and the creation of new decision tools or modification of existing tools with direct applicability to the southern region. Related extension and outreach will involve improved SCCC platforms for communication with farmers and ranchers and enhanced peer-to-peer knowledge exchange among farmers and ranchers. The integrated networks of farmers, university researchers, extension agents, USDA ARS researchers, and USDA NRCS personnel and researchers fostered by the multistate project and facilitated by the SCCC will contribute to an expansion in acreage on which cover crops are successfully implemented.