Twenty-five years of zero-tillage informational exchange through an annual workshop is indeed a formidable occurrence, not because of it’s mere existence but because the results of this workshop have literally transformed farming practices on the Great Plains.

Twenty-five years ago, zero-tillage was a vague concept pursued by a fringe group of producers, academics, industry and government personnel in Canada and the United States with no acreage base in either country.

Today, zero-tillage, if not practiced is at least comprehended by virtually every producer in the upper Great Plains of both countries.

This is indeed a remarkable achievement and without doubt has done more to combat the impact of soil erosion than any other force.

The formation of the Manitoba-North Dakota Zero-Tillage Association (Man-Dak) on January 21, 1982 in Minot, North Dakota was a milestone in the pursuit of the inherent purpose of preserving our agricultural soil resource for future generations by promoting a system of crop production which drastically reduces soil erosion and builds up organic matter. This inherent purpose along with the leadership demonstrated by this organization, unencumbered by the vested interests of outside influences, is the main reason we see the widespread development of conservation farming today.

The Man-Dak organization and the workshop activities have influenced farming practices on a global basis - a significant accomplishment for a mere twenty-five years.

"Then and Now" - Looking back over the years there are some categories that come to mind in development of all of the accomplishments.

Foremost, are the people who have been associated with the concept. The producers, the academics, the industry and government individuals who have unselfishly contributed their time and talent to work toward the preservation of our soil resource.

Innovations and advancements within the machinery, pesticide, seed and fertility areas have radically altered the "Then and Now".

Looking to the future is always difficult but we should be proud of the past and use the guiding principles of that past to inspire our desire to fulfill the inherent purpose of a great organization.