How true it is that change is a constant in our lives. At CTIC, we have gone through tremendous change over the past several years. Perhaps one of the most visible changes has taken our national magazine, Partners, from a printed publication distributed six times a year to an exclusively online magazine produced on a quarterly basis.

A champion shows obvious superiority in a category and is an innovative supporter or protector. Gerald Stubbs is a champion of conservation. Stubbs, of LaCrosse, Wash., farms his land like an absolute champion. He conserves, preserves and protects his land for future generations, maintains profitability and shares his knowledge with others to advance agricultural conservation.

Most discussions of no-till center around planting time – after all, that’s when the proverbial rubber meets the road and the crops are seeded with a light touch. But many benefits of no-till – especially continuous no-till – become readily apparent in the summer.

“Been there, done that.” In the early ‘80s, many farmers would have used that reply when asked about using conservation tillage. In many regions, conservation tillage just did not work. Today, however, 10 years after the introduction of biotechnology, or genetically modifying crops to produce traits that aid agriculture, farmers have more success with conservation tillage. Although there are still concerns about the environmental, food safety and social issues, biotechnology can be credited with the increase in adoption of – and commitment to – conservation tillage.

Improving water quality in the Sauk River Watershed in Stearns County, Minn., is a high priority for the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Monitoring of four streams in the watershed revealed water quality problems associated with sediment and phosphorous loads.

Farmers and farming advocates in western Oklahoma knew they could do more to improve soil quality on farms while creating market-based incentives and improving local economies. All they needed was a spark.