Each year the Knott County Agriculture Agent teaches a class in the fall on Cold Crops and Cover Crops.  This class covers various topics, such as, what crops can be grown in the fall and how to extend fresh vegetables later into the season. This class is always an interest to many gardeners who are looking at ways to increase the availability of fresh local foods.  Although, this a great part of the class, it allows the agent to educate the participants on the importance of cover crops for their gardens.

Cover Crops are a very critical part of having a successful garden, however most people do not understand the importance of cover crops and what they can do for the soil.  Cover Crop is vegetation that is sown on your field in the mostly in the fall to help control erosion, loosen compacted soils, build up organic matter, and to help in weed control.   Although a small number of participants usually attend, this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Agriculture Natural Resource Agent decided to do a virtual class.  He set up a virtual class and recorded the class and also shared the class on the Knott County Extension offices Facebook page. In total this Fall over 70 clients have viewed the video.  Cover crop seed was given to participants at their request. All participants now have a better understanding the importance of a winter cover crop.  The Knott County Extension Service hopes the participants will see the benefits next summer by learning the importance of cover crops.