** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THIS PROJECT INVOLVES A DIVERSE TEAM OF 34COLLABORATORS FROM 17STATES, INCLUDING UNIVERSITIES, AGRICULTURE RESEARCH SERVICE SCIENTISTS, NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION SERVICE PLANT MATERIALS CENTERS, AND SEED COMPANY PARTNERS. THE PROJECT IS USING A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO ADDRESSING USDA-NIFA SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SYSTEMSGOALS ON CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE ALONG WITH STRENGTHENING REGIONAL BIOECONOMIES IN RURAL AREAS.THE KEY ISSUE THIS PROJECT WILL ADDRESS IS THAT THERE IS A TREMENDOUS SHORTAGE OF GOOD COVER CROP VARIETIES ADAPTED TO VARIOUS REGIONS OF THE U.S. RELATED TO THAT, THERE IS LITTLE KNOWLEDGE ON HOW VARIOUS COVER CROP VARIETIES PERFORM IN VARIOUS AREAS, INCLUDING HOW THEY DIFFER IN ROOT GROWTH, SUITABILITY FOR GRAZING, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS. WITH THE RAPID GROWTH OF COVER CROP USE, THERE IS ALSO A EMERGING CHALLENGE IN SUPPLYING ENOUGH COVER CROP SEED, SO MORE GROWERS OF SEED NEED TO BE TRAINED ON HOW TO PROFITABLY GROW SEED AS PART OF THEIR FARMING OPERATION.SOME SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO:CONTINUE AND EXPAND EXISTING BREEDING EFFORTS WITH COVER CROPS FOR KEY TRAITS LIKE WINTER SURVIVAL, STRONG PRODUCTION OF COVER CROP BIOMASS, ABILITY TO HELP CONTROL WEEDS AND SEQUESTER CARBON, ETC.CATALYZE RESEARCHLOOKING AT ROOT DEVELOPMENT AND GRAZING/FORAGE QUALITY OF PROMISING NEW COVER CROP VARIETIESWORK WITH THE COVER CROP SEED INDUSTRY ON GETTING NEW COVER CROP VARIETIES INTO THE MARKETPLACE AND AVAILABLE TO FARMERSADDRESS ANY BARRIERS OR POLICY ISSUES AFFECTING AVAILABILITY OF COVER CROP SEED AND IMPROVED VARIETIES, WORKING WITH THE AMERICAN SEED TRADE ASSOCIATIONESTABLISHA NATIONAL COVER CROP VARIETY TRIAL NETWORK IN 12OR MORE STATES ACROSS THE U.S.TRAIN FARMERS TO PRODUCE SEED OF NEW VARIETIES, AND PROVIDE ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ON PROFITABILITY OF COVER CROP SEED PRODUCTIONEDUCATE FARMERS ON THE MERITS OF USING IMPROVED, REGIONALLY-ADAPTED COVER CROP VARIETIES INSTEAD OF GENERIC SEEDDEVELOP CURRICULUM MATERIAL ON HOW TO BREED COVER CROPS AND USE OF COVER CROP VARIETY DATA IN MANAGING CROPPING SYSTEMSCONTINUEGROWING THE COVER CROP INDUSTRY AND EXPANDING COVER CROP ADOPTION?