When marion calmer, a no-tiller from Alpha, Ill., says that he does on-farm research, he really means it. Calmer has conducted research since 1985, working with an average of 380 no-till corn and soybean plots each year.

Since most no-tillers probably already qualify for payments, the new 2002 farm bill offers plenty of opportunities and should lead to further expansion of no-tilled acres. But if you're just no-tilling corn and soybeans, don' expect that rotation to automatically meet the necessary government criteria in all states.

I'd make a really poor conventional farmer. I'd get bored out of my gourd. I never liked cultivators and I've always said they should rename them "corn killers."

Despite safety concerns since the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania, the 10th annual National No-Tillage Conference attracted 682 attendees to St. Louis, Mo.

With 900 acres of corn near Beaver Dam, Wis., Charlie Hammer uses 20-inch rows. He plants 36,000 to 38,000 seeds per acre and finds the narrower rows add 6 to 8 inches to plant height.

While most people associate computers and advanced technologies with e-mail and gory CD-ROM video games, Marion Calmer thinks about higher profits and labor-saving practices on his 1,300-acre farm. Then again, Marion Calmer is far from being like most people.