What are cover crops?
Cover crops are seasonal crops used to provide cover for soil. For example, a cover crop can be utilized after harvest in the fall until a new crop is 
planted for the next growing season. (NRCS)
Benefits of cover crops:
Cover crops reduce the amount of soil erosion by wind and water. They also improve the soil’s ecosystem by increasing biodiversity and soil organic matter content. Cover crops make the most of soil nutrients by promoting biological nitrogen fixation and capturing and redistributing nutrients throughout the soil. Other benefits include weed suppression, pest management, and minimization of soil compaction. (NRCS)
For more information on best practices of cover crops, please click here.