January 22, 2025

Field Day Recap: Cover Crops and Sustainability at Dole Farms 

 

On January 16th, Dole Farms in Soledad, CA, became a center for learning and collaboration as industry experts, growers and sustainability advocates gathered for the Cover Crops and Sustainability Initiatives Field Day. The event provided attendees with a hands-on opportunity to explore how cover crops can advance sustainability in vegetable production systems. 

The agenda focused on the transformative benefits of integrating cover crops into farming practices. Speakers highlighted the importance of maximizing biomass to unlock these benefits. High biomass production optimizes nitrogen use, generates energy and nourishes microbial soil communities, leading to improved soil health. Additionally, cover crops enhance nutrient cycling, improve water infiltration and create overwintering habitats for beneficial insects—delivering significant environmental and agronomic gains. 

The event featured an esteemed panel of speakers, including Zach Barnes from Dole Farms, Eric Brennan from the USDA, Gina Colfer from Wilbur Ellis, Elliot Grant from Sustainable Conservation and Rebecca Roberts from CMSF. Each speaker brought valuable insights, sparking meaningful discussions about the challenges and opportunities in adopting cover crops at scale. Attendees left equipped with actionable ideas to enhance their farming practices. 

Thank you to everyone who participated, and a special thanks to Dole Farms for hosting such an impactful event.