Published Nov 19, 2015

Mindset and Method of Cover Crops in Vegetable Production

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

Cover crops can do great things for soil health, but who has the time or money to use them? Tom Ruggieri and Mark Quee do! During this farminar, these two vegetable farmers will share how they integrate cover crops into their production planning and farm goals, and discuss species, equipment, establishment and termination.

Tom Ruggieri operates Fair Share Farm in Kearney, Missouri with Rebecca Graff. Since 2003, Fair Share Farm has focused on growing their 150 member CSA through community support and a range of biological farming practices that build healthy soils. Cover crops are one way the farm lives up to its motto to “feed the soil, feed the people.”

Mark Quee is the farm manager at Scattergood Friends School and Farm, a small Quaker boarding school 15 miles east of Iowa City, Iowa. Mark oversees food produced for the school through 10 acres of organic gardens and orchards and 30 acres of pasture for livestock. Mark has been with Scattergood since 1999.