(from L to R) Grant Troop (Lancaster), Preston Boop (Union), Mike Ohler (Venango), Jeff Frey (Lancaster), Robert Buhl (Erie), Jim Hershey (Lancaster), Leroy Bupp (York), Gary Long (Blair), Karl Kroeck (Tioga), Russell McLucas (Fulton) and William Cannon (Mercer).

Over 135 farmers, farm business representatives, conservation district staff, farm organizations, as well as supporting agencies attended the second Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance Conference in State College March 15.

Despite icy roads, participants came from all over Pennsylvania and neighboring states to hear nationally recognized authorities speak about continuous no-till agricultural practices.

The successful daylong event began with a presentation by Dr. Don Reicosky, a soil scientist at USDA-ARS, North Central Soil Conservation Research Lab. His presentation focused on the how no-till systems can be designed to use the soil carbon dynamics that affect plant nutrient availability, water holding capacity, water infiltration and other agro-ecosystem processes.

The most up-to-date weed management information for continuous no-till systems was discussed by the second speaker, Dr. William Curran of Penn State University.

The speaker presentations were followed by break-out sessions on No-Till Forages presented by Dr. Les Vough of the University of Maryland, and Steps to a Successful No-Till Transition presented by Joel Myers USDA/NRCS State Agronomist.

A panel presentation by the Board of Directors of the PA No-Till Alliance, entitled "Forty tips in 20 minutes," allowed these successful no-till farmers to share the secrets of their success to an eager audience that asked many practical questions.

The PA No-Till Alliance is an organization that provides farmer-to-farmer support for beginning and experienced no-till farmers, with a goal of bringing together individuals interested in the multiple benefits of no-till crop production: improved soil, water and air quality as well as fuel and time savings.

Its overall mission is to promote the successful application of no-till through shared ideas, experiences, education and new technology. In its first year of existence, Alliance members have already begun to serve as a network for farmers interested in no-till practices.

Continuous No-Till production was recently approved, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Bay Program, as an agricultural best management practice. The formation of the PA No-Till Alliance has been the result of a collaborative effort between farmers, USDA-NRCS, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Protection, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State Cooperative Extension, PA Association of RC&D Councils, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and PennAg Industries Association, Inc.

For additional information or to join the PA No-Till Alliance, contact the Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council office at 717-948-6633 or email Susan Parry at: susan.parry@pa.usda.gov .

(Contributed by Susan Richards, Capital RC&D)

3/24/2006