A food plot is an annual or perennial planting of grain, legumes, and forbs (wildflowers and some “weeds” such as foxtail, ragweed and smartweeds).  A food plot offers wildlife a place to forage for food in late fall, winter and early spring after field crops are harvested.  It is left standing over winter to encourage wildlife use.  Where fall plowing buries the majority of crop residue, food plots are an excellent choice to encourage wildlife survival. When incorporated with grasses, such as on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land, it compliments the grass cover already present.  Food plots alone are not good habitat cover. Landowners should strive to provide permanent wildlife habitat for the target species. Food plots target deer, quail, turkey, rabbits and songbirds. Seed should be planted in spring and left standing over winter.  One food plot is recommended for every forty (40) acres. 

Every spring Quail Unlimited provides The Scott County Soil & Water Conservation District with wildlife food plot seed to distribute to landowners.  The seed is free to people who will be planting it for wildlife.  Limit of 4 bags per customer.  Each bag provides enough seed for 1/4 acre plot.  In April and May of 2008, Scott County Soil & Water Conservation District distributed 274 bags of wildlife food plot seed at no cost to individuals equaling coverage for 68.5 acres of land. 

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