UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- An Informational Meeting For The Formation Of A New State Organization Promoting No-till Farming In Pennsylvania Will Be Held On Friday, March 4 At The New Hope Lutheran Church In Spring Mills.

Sponsored by agricultural business, research and legislative interests, the Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance will gather successful no-till producers, agribusinesses, lending institutions and consultants with supporting state, federal and local agencies and others to exchange information, new technology and research findings.

The alliance also will facilitate input regarding sediment and nutrient management issues related to agriculture and will coordinate activities between regional no-till groups across the state. Participation in the alliance is open to no-till farmers and those supporting no-till agriculture in the private sector. Legislative and governmental agencies will be called upon to provide support and technical guidance as needed.

The informational meeting will include an alliance overview from Joel Myers, Pennsylvania state agronomist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service; Sjoerd Duiker, assistant professor of soil management and applied soil physics in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences; and Jay Braund, conservation district field representative for Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection.

Dwayne Beck, research manager of the Dakota Lakes Research Farm at South Dakota State University, will deliver the keynote address titled, "Parking the Plow: Preparing for the No-Till Revolution." That will be followed by group break-out sessions on farmer networking and education, research, public outreach, program support and alliance structure. Following break-out reports and recommendations, a social and dinner will close the day's activities. There also will be a working breakfast meeting on Saturday, March 5 for those interested in serving on the alliance's formation committee.

Both days' events are open to the public; advance registrations will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 25. The registration fee of $15 covers materials, lunch, dinner and refreshments. For registration forms and other information, contact Susan Parry at the Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council at 717-948-6633, or by e-mail at Gary Abdullah Office 814-863-2708 FAX 814-863-9877