"We finished planting soybeans in early May" said my friend "and we have been making grass silage when the weather cooperates and with the good growth of corn we need to get our nitrogen on,î he added. Most of his fields are tilled using what is called minimum till and no-till.

What is called a field cultivator, or sometimes different cultivating tools, are used that works up the top layer of soil and leaves a lot of organic matter on top. This method saves energy because fewer trips are needed to get crops planted and there is also less compaction of the soil. It also reduces soil erosion by helping control water run-off.

Local farmers and those across the U.S. have contributed to a 43 percent reduction in soil erosion over the last 25 years with these newer tillage and other conservation practices, according to a National Resource Inventory conducted by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This inventory is important because it provides a tracking of the agricultural practices that help reduce erosion and other environmental practices.

Part of the reduction in erosion comes from loss of farm land in the last 25 years. Cropland acres declined from 420 million acres in 1983 to 350 million acres in 2007, a 15 percent loss. About half of that came from farmers putting land subject to erosion in USDA's Conservation Reserve Program. The other half came from development such as homes, factories and other commercial uses along with roads and railroads.

A 43 percent reduction in soil erosion is a real tribute to local and all American farmers. Through their farming practices they have made this reduction in erosion. Also their interest in putting risky fields in the CRP program suggests their concern for the environment.

Another indication of local support for the environment is the number of scenic rivers we have in northeast Ohio. There are six in this part of the state and three of those are in Ashtabula County. Scenic River designation requires a quality of water that comes from surrounding areas that is low in silt, sedimentation and other foreign matter. Maintaining forest buffers along the sometimes narrow stream banks is necessary.

Cooperation from local land owners is a requirement and local farmers have been helpful in maintaining these buffers and working with local and state governments to get the Scenic Rivers designation. It is another tribute to the environmental practices of local farmers.

One down side to no-till or minimum till practices is organic material on the surface, such as last years chopped up corn stalks, makes a great habitat for slugs or soft shelled snails when weather conditions are damp. These critters can eat off a lot of corn if not controlled and control is expensive.

Special no-till planters are needed to be sure there is a good seed bed and that there is good contact with the seed and the soil. Many local farmers have made the required changes to be successful with no-till or minimum till planting.

Newer planting methods don't work on all soil types. So a few farmers must still use the older, conventional plowing, disking and planting methods to get crops in the ground. They have to adapt with what they have on their farm.

Using the newer planting methods is another adaptation of technology that helps provide an abundant food supply for all of us. Turning our backs on proven technology is a step toward hungry people in this country and around the world.