Cover Crop Science

All of the modules on this web site are now drafts from the second edition of the Cover Crop Science Project Book. This version is still undergoing editing and expert review. Both content and layout are subject to change, but

These pages introduce the book as a whole, including information for 4-H educators or volunteers.

This set of activities introduces the function of plant structures, with a key activity being an Alstroemeria flower dissection.

This set of activities examines what it means to be a cover crop. It also introduces pennycress as an exemplar for how cover crops fit in between cash crop growing seasons.

This lesson explores engineering, with learners developing methods for sorting seeds during harvest.

This set of activities explores how plants change over time. Learners take a close look at modern corn and the many varieties of wild cabbage that we eat every day.

These activities use hands-on activities to simulate how scientists can use advanced technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 to accelerate the process of artificial selection.

Learners work directly with soil to explore the problem of soil erosion and how cover crops help minimize erosion.

This set of activities explores another benefit of cover crops: as a source of food for pollinators of all types!

This set of activities explores how different products can be formulated from cover crops, in this case different formulations of ink from vegetable oils.

This set of activities includes instructions to make sunflower butter and explores the tasks required to make a jar and get it to a grocery store.

The vast majority of images used in this book were in the public domain or created by the authors. Images and sources of information are listed here.