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Abstract
Cover crops are known to generate many environmental and economic benefits. However, only a small portion of cropland in the Southeastern United States currently utilizes cover crops in the rotation system. This paper utilizes a comprehensive survey conducted throughout Georgia, Alabama, and Florida to identify current production practices to further understand the missing links that currently inhibit cover crop adoption in the Southeast. The data collected provide insight about what can be done to encourage further cover crop adoption throughout the southeast. We find that farmers are challenged by the additional cost, both economic and opportunity, of implementing cover crops, and the lack of educational materials that could help them to incorporate cover crops into their rotation more seamlessly and successfully. We also find that farmers reap unintended benefits from contiguous cover crop use through improved environmental conditions in the field.