Hart brothers become cover crop pioneers

In the flat, farmland of north-central Arkansas, Todd Hart and his brother Greg are doing something most of their neighbors aren't -they're growing crops year-round, but not all of them for harvest. Todd and Greg have become local pioneers in soil health by integrating cover crops into their farming system year-round, an uncommon but forward-thinking practice in this part of the state. With support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) they not only improved the productivity of the fields, but they're also helping to pave the way for a new era of conservation-minded farming in the region.

Todd and his brother Greg have worked the land since 2000 when they started farming. Although they didn't start their own production until then, the two brothers were farming at seven years old.

"Farming's not a job, it's a way of life," Todd said. "Soil conservation means taking care of the land that takes care of you. We learned that at a young age through working on our 300-cow dairy farm as kids. Greg is in the field right now. Farming never takes a break."

Todd's interest in cover crops started a few years ago when he began noticing signs of soil fatigue on his family's farm. Like many farmers in Arkansas, he was looking for a solution that would restore vitality to the land while remaining economically sustainable. That's when he turned to the NRCS.

Through the NRCS Morrilton field office and using the CSP program, Todd received technical guidance and financial assistance that allowed him to start implementing cover crops on a rotational basis. Eventually, with continued support and mentoring from the NRCS district conservationist, Tiffany Williams, he transitioned to using cover crops year-round. Now, between harvests of his primary crops, the Hart's fields are always rooted with plant species such as soybean and clover, chosen to enrich the soil, prevent erosion, and retain moisture.

"If you get an aerial view of Arkansas in winter, you'll see brown fields all over, but our field will be bright green," he said. "And it wouldn't have been possible without NRCS. The expertise they provide helped me understand how to build a long-term system that works for my soil and my operation. CSP gave me the resources I need to get started."

In his area, very few farmers have adopted this method of soil care, making Todd's success even more significant. Year-round cover cropping is labor-intensive and requires a shift in how the land is managed - but Todd believes the long-term benefits are worth it. His soil is richer, more resilient to weather extremes, and better able to support future generations of farming.

Soil conservation, as Todd put it, is the foundation of everything.

"We always want to leave things better than when we found it," Todd said. "That includes the fields we work. When the next generation farmer comes around to use the field, I want that person to have an easy time starting up. If we don't take care of our soil, we're gambling with our future. This is about protecting the land so it can keep feeding families long after I'm gone."

Todd's story is a reminder that working with the NRCS is more than just a short-term solution - it's a partnership for long-term success. With programs like CSP, farmers can meet their conservation goals while ensuring the land they love remains productive for years to come. And thanks to innovators like Todd and Greg Hart, Arkansas agriculture is showing that sustainable farming is not only possible - it's powerful.