By Andi Anderson
The Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC) will celebrate a major milestone in February 2026 as it hosts its 20th anniversary annual meeting and cover crop conference in Dubuque, Iowa.
The event invites producers, students, researchers, extension staff, industry partners, and conservation professionals to join in advancing the adoption and understanding of cover crops across the region.
The MCCC continues to focus on building a strong network that supports soil health, sustainable farming, and improved agricultural resilience.
The annual meeting will take place on February 10, followed by a full day of cover crop education on February 11 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque. This two-day gathering will highlight the progress made over two decades and explore new strategies for maximizing the benefits of cover crops in modern agriculture.
Reflecting on the milestone, Mark Licht of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach shared, "This 20-year milestone reflects the dedication of countless farmers, researchers and partners who believe in cover crops to improve soil health and provide sustainable crop production. I'm honored to be able to co-host this MCCC 20th anniversary annual meeting and conference."
Attendees will engage in discussions on current cover crop topics, with regional experts from universities, government agencies, and farming organizations presenting key insights.
The conference includes three specialized breakout tracks: row crop systems, forage and grazing uses, and conservation-focused practices.
Row crop breakout sessions will cover topics such as species selection, establishment techniques, nutrient management before corn, Pythium and allelopathy, and planter setup for planting green.
Forage and grazing sessions will explore monocultures versus mixtures, grazing quality, forage timing, and planting alfalfa into green cereal rye.
Conservation sessions will address communication between landowners and tenants, watershed monitoring, wind erosion, and how conservation practices increase working days.
Students and professionals may also participate in a poster session on February 10. Students submitting research posters are eligible for competition prizes, and the registration deadline for posters is January 20, 2026.
Conference registration costs $110 per day before January 10 and $125 per day after. The event offers a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate 20 years of progress in cover crop adoption across the Midwest.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Iowa, Education