I farm, so i usually have some fertilizer or a little lime left over, so i'll use that in my food plots after seeing how much i need from a soil sample. as the others said, a soil sample is a must if you want good germination and a good stand. i usually plant corn and peanuts, but as gpower1 said, soybeans are also a good bet. the only problem i've had with soybeans is that deer tend to tear them up as soon as they begin to grow. one way i solve this is cheap and simple. as soon as you plant, get some 2x4s and nail together a large T shape, and hang brightly colored sheets or some similar material on it, and drive them into the ground. these makeshift scarecrows will keep most deer out of the fields long enough to let the crop grow and make a decent stand. be sure to pull out the scarecrows long before hunting season begins so you don't mess up the deers feeding habits for the whole season. hope this helps!