Several Marlboro Conservation District commissioners and their
 guests attended the Farm SMART Conference held  February 1, 2000 in
 Columbia.  Shown above (L-R) are Levin Lynch, Commissioner Billy 
Covington, Commissioner Frank Hinson, Commissioner Mack Helms, Rhett
 Covington and Jeffrey Newton.

The conference was co-sponsored by Monsanto Chemical Company and 
Southeast Farm Press.

The purpose of the conference was to show farmers how to increase 
their profits through conservation tillage.  The educational sessions
 were designed to help them learn how to reduce production and labor
 costs, as well as lessen wear and tear on their equipment.  Topics 
covered included- “Making the Change from Conventional Tillage to  
Strip-Till”; “Economics:Cost of No-Till vs Conventional Till”;  
“Why no-till for wheat”; and “No-Till on Coastal Plain Soils”.

The benefits of  conservation  tillage for  our environment are 
reduced soil  erosion and improved water quality.  These are also 
environmental benefits that are a high priority  for the Marlboro 
Conservation District.  Educational conferences such as Farm SMART 
are an excellent way for the District to promote natural resource
 protection.

Others attending as Marlboro District guests were Commissioner T. A.
 O’Neal, NRCS Technician Danny Driggers and J. P. Hodges. Those also 
attending locally were Doug Newton, John McInnis, John McColl, 
Cooper Lee and Rick Plummer.  

The Marlboro Conservation District also reminds Marlboro county 
growers of the availability of a Powell Ro-Till four row bedder.  
This equipment is available to all growers at a small per acre fee.