Forward --- Association President Dan Schaefer

On behalf of the directors, advisors, and secretary of the Manitoba-North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers Association, I welcome you to the 14^th Annual Workshop.

Our first workshop was held in 1979. It was organized by early no-till farmers who saw the need to exchange ideas and experiences with other zero-till farmers, researchers, ag product and machinery companies, and governmental agricultural workers. They decided to meet annually. Meeting sites were alternated between Manitoba and North Dakota. In 1982 formal organization structure was adopted, and the resultant Association was incorporated under both Manitoba and North Dakota Laws.

I want to acknowledge and thank the original directs, advisors, and secretary, as well as all the people who have served in these capacities since then to the present. Thank you for your commitment to zero tillage as an alternative to conventional crop production systems.

The 1986 Workshop held at Minot, ND, was one of the most successful of our past events. People who attended still talk about the standing room only session. The 1992 Workshop promises to be bigger and better yet. This clearly indicated the growing interest in reduced, and zero till crop production systems.

Governmental programs in both Canada and the US are putting forth tremendous efforts towards reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and protecting the environment. Many specific groups, and the public in general are demanding that farming practices that are damaging to these concerns be modified. I believe as stewards of the soil, we farmers have to look at proven alternatives to those aspects of conventional tillage that are damaging, and, on the positive side, I think a lot of us are. The increasing acreage of conservation tillage indicates farmers are turning towards the practices the Zero Till Association has been promoting for fourteen years, "to preserve our agricultural soil resource for future generations by promoting a system of crop production which drastically reduces soil erosion and builds organic matter."

Zero tillage is not the only answer. Minimum till, low till, zone tillage, and organic farming are some of the production systems that today's farmer may employ. When properly managed, these systems are proven to be practical and profitable as well as effective in controlling erosion, improving water quality, and being friendly to the environment.

At this Workshop, the Association acknowledges the past; updates the present state of the art of conservation tillage; and looks to the future of new technology such as the color sensor sprayer development. I welcome you to experience the total workshop including the speakers, exhibitors, rap sessions, dinner, awards, and entertainment evening, ant the Association annual meeting. The workshop offers a unique experience not found at any other farm meeting. I hope you find it useful and enjoyable.