Mimicking Nature: One Farmer's Cover Crop History

Dave Brant discusses long-term cover cropping in annual crop systems at Dansville, Pennsylvania, in March 2016 during the Columbia County Conservation District Soil Health Conference. Dave's decades of experience comes to life with anecdotes and reflections on how be has built his soil by using more than 40 cover crops, reducing tillage, and maintaining soil cover all year.

[suzyq]

I learned more listening to this "Non-speaker" farmer than all the books I've read and all the lectures I've heard combined. I have the confidence as a 60-year-old new farmer that it's not too late to be successful on my little farm. Than you, Dave.

[Idontknow-sige]

Dave you say you are not a speaker you are a farmer but what you speak has kept me here 128:30. i say you are both and some

[arturowagner]

Never get tired of listening to Dave...

[ashtreylil]

This is the best video on cover crops on YouTube.

[Papawcanner]

I lived ❤on a farm as a youth . Dude cracked me up when he said he had enough of chasing cattle . He is or was a smart farmer and great speaker . This is the best coverage of the subject that I have seen .

[mikedumais]

Dave, GREAT video. I'm an aspiring farmer, and this is JUST the kind of video I look for. Real world farming wisdom acquired over multiple decades of practice.
Also Dave, ignore the knuckle heads who are criticizing the way you speak. You are a fine speaker and I had no trouble understanding what you were saying. THANK YOU!

[eoinllewellyn]

Hello Dave and all who have watched this, I study biodiverse collapse and the agrochemical industry and the chemicals impact on soil health and insects .I have watched all your presentations. Please farmers trust this presentation . Dupont and Bayer dont care about you or your soil or our wildlife. The future is selling food that is high grade and chemically safe. You will get more money fr your produce.
I would love to get Dave over to Ireland. I am looking at adopting your research into creating wildlife bird reserves. Doing green cover in winter and then seeding in February for summer seed for wildlife etc. I will also be sending o all your information to the dept. of agriculture.

Thank you for your bravery and going forward where others were scared.

[kmkcorner]

It ain’t much, but it’s honest work. Also, I really enjoyed the video.

[rajbeekie]

I like your attitude and perspective on farming. Thanks for sharing.

[mandylavida]

Awesome. Love this guy. Am off to buy raddish!

[justingreen]

Dave this is excellent stuff. I've been on the edge of my seat for almost an hour and a half. This stuff is ground breaking. :-)

[waynegilchrest]

Thank you for you courage and persistance. And encouragement. Wayne Gilchrest

[loue]

I am so glad more famers are really starting to do No till and not just doing what has been done for years that has been destroying the soil.

[tobyihli]

The times they are a changing! He’s got a field day, and that is so cool. Farmers are doing new farming practices and they are very excited. Seem so many are inviting the public to come and see what they are doing. Many have an open door policy, saying you are welcome at anytime. If you go without an appointment they may not be able to show you around but you are still welcome to walk around.
These new practices are changing the market just like fracking completely revived the oil business in this country, these new practices are going to be a game changer! The produce grown under these conditions have much more nutrients than produce grown conventionally. Wow, that means the next generation will all be taller, smarter, larger,

[freebfree]

Inspirational and educational. Listened carefully, took notes, and wish Dave could have kept sharing experiences and knowledge. Thank you...

[yergman]

Great work! Thanks for sharing your research!

[srk]

I took a few notes from you, good Sir.
I'm adding buckwheat to my covers.

[mikedoingmikethings]

I can tell a guy sharing knowledge on things his is very passionate on as his voice trembles talking about nitrogen nodules LOL I feel the same way and I admire him for passing along this knowledge...I always love gardening since I was a child and when I retire, I would like to grow food to feed the poor and the hungry...

We can't go wrong with doing what nature does, it was here before time and it will be here when we are ALL gone...

[treasuresofchristtv]

Great speaker, thank you for the information.

[b_uppy]

Sustainable agriculture pales compared to restoration agriculture. Chemical agriculture is too expensive and lacks efficiency. It has diminished resiliency compared to restoration ag and permaculture, too.
That said, this was a good talk, and this is better than some forms of chem ag...