Pennsylvania No-Tillers Advance Cover Crop Benefits

Lucas Criswell and Jim Hershey pioneer new no-till techniques to combat erosion.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:16am

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A highly textured, abstract painting in earthy tones of green, brown, and ochre, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circular patterns, and precise botanical spirals. The composition resembles a complex scientific diagram, visually conveying the interconnected natural forces and biological processes at work in a sustainable no-till farming ecosystem.Innovative no-till farmers leverage the power of cover crops to build healthier, more resilient farmland in the face of extreme weather.Hershey Today

Pennsylvania no-tillers Lucas Criswell and Jim Hershey are pioneering innovative no-till farming techniques that build on the benefits of cover crops. By planting directly into their cover crops, they are able to further reduce erosion and improve soil health on their farms.

Why it matters

As extreme weather events become more common, finding effective ways to prevent soil erosion is crucial for sustainable agriculture. No-till farming has long been recognized as an important tool, but Criswell and Hershey's approach of integrating cover crops takes those benefits even further.

The details

Criswell and Hershey have found that by planting directly into their cover crops, rather than tilling the soil, they are able to retain more moisture, suppress weeds, and prevent valuable topsoil from being washed or blown away. This 'no-tilling green' technique builds on the natural mulch provided by the cover crops to create a protective barrier for the soil.

  • Criswell and Hershey have been experimenting with no-till and cover crop techniques for several years on their Pennsylvania farms.

The players

Lucas Criswell

A Pennsylvania no-till farmer who is pioneering innovative techniques to integrate cover crops with no-till practices.

Jim Hershey

A Pennsylvania no-till farmer who is collaborating with Lucas Criswell to advance the benefits of cover crops in no-till farming.

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What they’re saying

“No-till alone isn't enough to stop erosion anymore. We have to get creative and really leverage the power of cover crops to protect our soil.”

— Lucas Criswell, Pennsylvania No-Till Farmer

What’s next

Criswell and Hershey plan to continue experimenting with their 'no-tilling green' techniques and share their findings with other no-till farmers in the region.

The takeaway

As extreme weather events increase, innovative no-till farmers like Criswell and Hershey are demonstrating how integrating cover crops can take the benefits of no-till farming even further to combat soil erosion and build healthier, more resilient farmland.