Cover crops have received increasing attention by farmers, researchers, policy makers, and media, given their ability to reduce non-point source pollution and improve soil quality. Despite the benefits of cover crops, a 2012 USDA Census of Agriculture indicated that less than 5% of the nation’s total row crop land was planted in cover crops and even fewer of these farmers participate in the federal cover crop cost-share program. With a social-ecological framework for adaptive decision-making, this research will use a survey of Idaho farmers to examine farmer innovation factors that contribute to adoption and continues use of cover crops.