What is it?

Strip and alley cropping utilizes the spaces between crops that would typically not be farmed. Strip cropping alternates traditional row crops like cotton, corn, soybeans with rows of densly planted crops like hay, wheat, or other grains. Alley cropping alternates large rows of permanent crops ( vineyards or orchards) with smaller rows of temporary crops like forage crops.

Conservation Benefits

• Minimizes soil erosion between crop rows

What does it include?

Strip cropping: a method typically used on steep slopes to prevent erosion between crop rows. Traditional row crops like cotton, corn, soybeans are alternated with rows of densly planted crops like hay, wheat, or other grains. This alternating pattern holds the soil in the area and prevents erosion of soil from the farm. This type of cropping will also help prevent gully formation becuase it will slow runoff velocities from the field.

Alley cropping: alternates large rows of permanent crops ( vineyards or orchards) with smaller rows of temporary crops like forage crops. This alternating pattern holds the soil in the area and prevents erosion of soil from the farm. This type of cropping will also help prevent gully formation becuase it will slow runoff velocities from the field.