A Closer Look at the RIPE Proposal’s Qualifying Practices: Cover Crops (NRCS Code 340)

Our robust list of qualifying conservation practices deliver public benefits — including soil health, clean water, water conservation, wildlife conservation and climate mitigation — valued at more than $100 per acre or animal unit.

One of these practices is cover crops (NRCS code 340). Cover crops reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide additional environmental benefits valued at over $120 per acre per year.

We found that farmers who adopt cover crops provide over $70 in water quality benefits, over $20 in improved soil quality, $13 in water savings, and $7 in air quality benefits. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 0.25 metric tons per acre, which is about $5.

Review our methodology and sources in the chart here and access our current list of proposed qualifying practices here.