This morning marked the release of Episode 1 for a new series, titled ‘Green Fields Green Dollars’, hosted by Ohio State University Extension staff members Rachel Cochran and Clint Schroeder. Rachel Cochran is the Water Quality Extension Associate serving Paulding, Defiance, and Van Wert counties in Northwest Ohio, and Clint Schroeder is the Program Manager of the Farm Business Analysis and Benchmarking Statewide Program. This series was developed to discuss common conservation agriculture practices in a new light – one with an economic perspective.
In her role, Cochran conducts research and shares education, both one-on-one with local producers and at larger-scale events such as field days, on practices that are known to promote better soil health, nutrient management, and water quality on farms across the state. Schroeder utilizes a special software called FINPACK to assist farm operators with determining the profitability and economic health of their business and individual enterprises. This data is compiled as part of the national database that can be used to highlight economics differences related to certain agricultural practices. The two, who are cohosts for this new series, came together to discuss benefits of conservation, both environmentally and economically.
Episode 1, titled ‘Cover Crop Direct Costs’, dives into some of the benefits and considerations of implementing this practice, and shares real-life data from farms across the Midwest to show how much cover crops actually cost to implement. Episode 2, which will be released later this month, will discuss more benefits of cover crops, as well as yield impacts, ecosystem services, and other financial aspects you may not have thought to ponder before. Episode 1 can be viewed on the OSU Agronomy Team YouTube channel, or by visiting go.osu.edu/GFGD.