Jan Layman never expected to be a die-hard no-tiller. “I never thought I’d be preaching the evangelism of no-till. I enjoyed working the ground,” admits Layman of Kenton, Ohio.

After more than a year of analysis, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently placed its recommendations regarding herbicide-drift tolerance on hold. That’s because EPA officials received more than 5,000 letters, phone calls and other feedback from farmers, ag dealers and educators who felt the spraying recommendations were unfair.

As part of this continuing series, an Indiana farmer tackles your most frequently asked no-tilling questions. Remember that your particular farming circumstances may result in entirely different answers to these particular concerns.

In 5 years, Phil Robertson believes that no-tillers could be cashing in on carbon trading and tax incentives for carbon sequestration.

Regardless of the final form that the 2002 Farm Bill takes, its legislation could have a noticeably green environmental tone. If Congress shows more interest in developing environmental-based farm supports as “green payments,” it will be a definite plus for no-tilling.

Let's get one thing straight. Sequestering carbon in our soils is not likely to happen unless farmers no-till.