A few years ago, we published the "Zero Till Production Manual". It was farmer driven, farmer written and farmer flavoured. It was, and is, a valuable guide for North American farmers as they moved into zero till and other conservation cropping systems. Indeed the basic techniques advocated caught a much larger audience. Copies of the manual found their way throughout Canada and the United States, and overseas to Africa, Australia, Europe and South America.

In the years since the manual was printed, ongoing farmer experiences coupled with inquiry by the scientific community have verified the soil and environmental benefits the early zero till producers spoke of. In view of this continuing flow of information, it seemed appropriate to publish a manual aimed not so much at getting started, but rather at using the advancing

technology to maintain systems now in place. This should help us to look forward and make changes as needed to ensure we are "Advancing the Art" of zero tillage.

The manual production has been guided by the Education Committee during the terms of two Association Presidents, John Raisler and Stan Rampton. Jointly, we extend our hope that it will be of value to you, whether you are a farmer, teacher, researcher, wildlife manager, environmental conservationist, government decision maker, commercial product manager, spouse sharing decisions, or whatever your walk of life. We all share the future. Let's strive to make it hospitable and sustainable by "Advancing the Art"of zero tillage.

Stan Rampton Lyle Samson

President 1996-97 Executive Secretary

John Raisler Gregg Fotheringham

President 1995-96 Education Committee Chair