NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE  February 5, 2002
CONTACT: Karen Scanlon or Dan Towery (765) 494-9555  

Producers Win First National Ag Conservation Systems Award 

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.     The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) announces three winners for the first offering of the Core 4 Conservation Awards. These awards recognize producers who implement a system of conservation practices that not only protects or improves natural resources but also enhances farm profitability. Winners will receive the awards Feb. 5 at the National Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in Sparks, Nev.

Core 4 Conservation is a national agricultural conservation awareness campaign that promotes using a systems approach to addressing economic and environmental concerns in agriculture. This innovative approach to ag management results in better soil, cleaner water, greater profits and brighter future. CTIC coordinates the national campaign to increase adoption of Core 4 Conservation systems.

Ken Remington, dryland, no-till farmer of Central Washington County, Colo., won first place. Remington has developed a comprehensive system of conservation practices for his 1,000 acres. He uses a three crop/four year rotation of wheat-corn-millet-fallow. Rotating crops, using no-till, and applying appropriate herbicides allow Remington to control weeds effectively. He completes the system by monitoring soil moisture storage and temperature and follows proper nutrient management. For more than 10 years, Mr. Remington advocates successful systems like his through his role with the Colorado Conservation Tillage Association.

The second place award is shared by two operations. Brothers Curt, Greg and Dan Swartzmiller are recognized for their Diamond S Farms in Attica, Ohio. The Swartzmillers know that 20 years of no-till has helped increase water infiltration and reduce runoff on their family farm. Cover crops and crop rotation, which have increased organic matter by 3 percent, along with nutrient and pest management also are part of their winning system. They apply their own herbicides on a timely basis and frequently apply lower than the label rate. Plus, the 5 miles of grassed waterways safely convey surface water. This time-efficient system is economical and designed to improve the soil resource and protect the watershed.

Mike and Richard Long of Berlin, N.D., also win second place. The Long brothers integrate a small grain and row crop farm with pasture, hayland and a beef feedlot with a containment system. The Longs produce all the feed needed to produce and market their beef cattle, which graze on 230 acres of pasture converted from cropland. Cross fencing and intensive grazing management minimizes impacts to the soil and vegetation. The manure is used for nutrients on cropland, saving both time and money. With this system of conservation tillage, windbreaks, grassed waterways and better feed and nutrient management systems, the Longs protect their resources while increasing their profits.

The Core 4 Conservation Awards are sponsored by Syngenta, Capital Agricultural Property Services, Inc. (CAPS), IMC Global, CTIC and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). See next sheet for more information about the sponsors.

For more information about the Core 4 Conservation Awards, contact CTIC, a nonprofit public-private partnership working to promote soil and water quality and equip agriculture with affordable, integrated management solutions. Call 765-494-9555 or go to www.ctic.purdue.edu.

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Core 4 Conservation Award Sponsors

Syngenta is a world leading agribusiness. The company ranks first in crop protection and third in the high-value commercial seeds market. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative Research and Technology. Website: www.syngentacropprotection.com.

CAPS provides agricultural land management, consulting, real estate brokerage and auction services nationwide. It is one of the country's largest managers of cropland and has also handled more than $1.3 billion in farm and ranch real estate transactions. Website: www.capitalag.com.

IMC Global serves world agriculture as the largest global producer and supplier of concentrated phosphates and potash fertilizers. Its Back-to-Basics program educates growers on the importance and benefits of proper fertilization. Website: www.back-to-basics.net.

CTIC is a nonprofit public-private partnership working to promote soil and water quality and equip agriculture with affordable, integrated management solutions. Website: www.ctic.purdue.edu.

NACD is the nonprofit organization that represents the nation's 3,000 conservation districts, local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. Conservation Districts help more than 2.5 million cooperating landowners and operators manage and protect land and water resources on nearly 98 percent of the private lands in the United States. Website: http://nacdnet.org.

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