We conducted a mixed-methods study to understand how financial incentive programs impact transitions to cover cropping in Michigan. Michigan farms span a wide range of soil types, climate conditions, and cropping systems that create opportunities for cover crop adoption in the state. We tested the relationship between Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) payments for cover crops and cover crop adoption between 2008-2019, as measured by remote sensing. Panel fixed effects regressions showed that EQIP increased winter cover crop presence. Every EQIP dollar for cover crops was associated with a 0.01 hectare increase in winter cover, while each hectare enrolled in an EQIP contract for cover crops was associated with a 0.86 – 0.93 hectare increase in winter cover.
Surdoval, A., Jain, M., Blair, E., Wang, H., and J. Blesh. In press. Financial incentive programs and farm diversification with cover crops: Assessing opportunities and challenges.
