Following is the speech given by Paul Kindinger, Chair, Conservation Technology Information Center on Earth Day, 1999.

Thank you, Randall.

I’m honored to participate in Earth Day, and speak to you on behalf of a unique public-private, agriculturally based partnership called CTIC. CTIC is composed of farmer-led organizations, agricultural businesses, state and federal government agencies, researchers, and many other agricultural leaders, all dedicated to improving soil and water quality.

CTIC and the agricultural industry are pleased to announce a coordinated national drive to increase the use of four environmentally sound management systems. We have dubbed this effort, Core 4 Conservation. Core 4 Conservation will result in better soil, cleaner water, greater on-farm profits, and a brighter future for all of us…especially our children. (gesture to school children)

The Core 4 Conservation Approach is based on common sense. It’s adaptable to virtually any farming situation; it can be fine-tuned to meet an individual farmer’s specific needs; and it can improve farm profitability…which is critical given the economic stress faced by the farm community today…and can address water quality and other environmental concerns.

Core 4 Conservation involves the use of four practices with four goals:

1. Conservation Tillage – increase it's use to 50% of planted crop acreage by 2002.

2. Integrated Weed and Pest Management – establish a baseline and increase by 2002.

3. Nutrient Management – establish a baseline and increase the use by 2002.

4. Buffers – increase to two million miles by 2002.

As you can quickly judge, these are long term commitments on the part of CTIC and agriculture. Scientists and many experts estimate that these four practices alone can reduce non-point source pollution by as much as 80 percent.

You might ask, why are we doing this? The obvious answer is that it is a win-win, everyone benefits. To be a little more specific, let me quickly share some of the expected benefits, which also happen to correspond to our tag lines that accompany our logo:

First, better soil. Besides providing the base for cleaner water and greater on-farm profits, healthy soils also increase long-term productivity, increase soil organic matter, improve soil moisture, reduce compaction, sequester carbon and reduce wind and water erosion.

Second, cleaner water. Water is probably the most important resource used by agriculture. It is our desire to not only be efficient with our production, but to insure that the valuable resources we need to stay in business are protected and available for generations to come. Clean water is high on our list of priorities.

Third, increased profitability. The financial hardships faced by many farmers are very real. While farmers are not able to increase their prices, they can, in some instances, control costs by becoming more efficient. The Core 4 approach helps farmers do this.

Fourth, a brighter future for all of us. Agriculture recognizes its importance to the Earth’s future. As the Earth’s population grows, so, too, will the need for even more of the renewable resources provided by agriculture. Yet, with less land available for production of these resources, it’s the world’s farmers who will have to become more efficient producers of quality food, fiber, energy, and, yes, water, air, soil, and wildlife.

Agriculture will continue to build on the environmentally wise management of cropland with the Core 4 Conservation approach throughout this crop season and for many seasons to come.

In fact, next year, on Earth Day, we will report on the advancements made this year by the Nation’s farmers. Agriculture is working to enhance the environment by building better soil, improving water quality, securing greater on-farm profits, and ensuring a brighter future for everyone on Earth. It is my belief that Core 4 Conservation is a huge step in the right direction!

I and other agricultural leaders will be available to answer any questions you may have.