Soil functional zone management (SFZM) is a novel strategy for row crop management. Especially when used with cover cropping, SFZM may play an important role in enhancing agricultural production and sustainability via beneficial effects on soil nitrogen cycling. Field studies in four states across the U.S. showed that SFZM can enhance control of nitrogen cycling, increasing nitrogen availability near crop roots in synchrony with corn peak nitrogen demand. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Soil & Water Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/certifications/selfâstudy/800.