University of Illinois

Resilient Agroecosystems Require Sustainability of Environmental Quality, Agricultural Productivity,and Economic Viability, Which Are Closely Interconnected. the Critical U.s. Midwest Corn-soybeanagroecosystem Faces Challenges Related to (1) the Uncertainty of a Changing Climate With Aprojection of Increased Variability, Higher Temperatures, and Larger Atmospheric Water Demands, AND(2) Environmental Degradation Due to Excessive Fertilizer Usage and Nutrient Losses. Cover Cropshave Been Proposed as a Straightforward and Promising Adaptation to Increase the Resilience Andsustainability of Midwest Agriculture. However, the Current State of Cover Crop Knowledge Remainslimited and Localized, and Adoption Has Been Slow. to Address These Critical Gaps, We Propose to Usea Comprehensive and Integrated Approach to Assess Cover Crops at the Regional Scale for the Threemajor Corn Belt States (illinois, Iowa, and Indiana). We Will Use Data Synthesis (field Level Data,satellite Data, and Literature) and Advanced Process-based Modeling to Assess the Suitability Andpotential Benefits (biophysical, Agronomical, and Environmental Aspects) of Proposed Cover Croppractices Under Current Climate and Future Climate Scenarios (up to 2070)COMBINED With Economicanalysis to Assist Farm Management Decisions and Policy Analysis Related to Crop Insurance. We Willdisseminate the Results to Large Audiences, Including Farmers and Policymakers, Through Summits,webinars, and the Farmdoc Forum. We Will Design New Learning Modules and Curriculum for 4-H Youthand Undergraduate Students to Train the Future Workforce.