Section A,

The purpose of the trip to Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada was to facilitate personal growth and understanding among a group of farmers from Washington and Oregon about crop residue management, direct seeding, and crop rotation. Knowledge of these components of cropping systems will assist the growers that meet the requirements of the USDA Farm Bill Programs. These farmers have the potential to improve their cropping systems, and reduce soil erosion and sequester carbon in the soil.

On the tour we went to Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada on June 17, 2003, and returned to the U.S on June 20, 2003. On June 18 we participated in a workshop at the AgCanada Research Center titled "Linking Cropping Systems to Food Quality." Keynote speaker, Dr. Ross Welch of the USDA at Cornell University, New York, set the stage with the question, "What Agriculture Can Do?"

• Adopt explicit goals for nutrition.
• Re-diversify cropping systems.
• Use agriculture practices to increase micronutrients.
• Redefine "Sustainable Agriculture" to include adequate nutrient output for humans.

On June 19 we visited the crop rotation research plots at the Center. We then visited 4 farms in Alberta, as far away as 60 miles east of Lethbridge. These farms provided examples of diversified crop rotations and growing of legumes for increased nitrogen fixation, and ultimately increased production of plant proteins. These innovative farmers are working toward two of Dr. Ross Welch's goals for the future.

Section B

People who participated were from universities, research centers, and farms. Speakers in the workshop were:

• Dr. Henry Janzen, AgCanada Rhizoshere Research Team
• Dr. Jill Clapperton, AgCanada Rhizoshere Research Team
• Tracy Bolseng, AgCanada Rhizoshere Research Team
• Dr. Pryia Mir, AgCanada Animal Science Team
• Dr. Ross Welch, USDA, Cornell University, New York
• Dr. Robert Blackwell, AgCanada Research Center

Farmers and agricultural support persons were:

Farmer Doug Rite

Farmer Rod Lanier

Farmer Tim Myer ?sp

Farmer Brian Hildebrante

• Dr. Brian Tuck, Specialist, Oregon State University
• Dennis Roe, USDA-NRCS and adjunct crop scientist, Washington State University
• Dr. Don Wysocki, Specialist, Oregon State University

Section C

Participation by the USDA, university staff and farmers will result in reduced soil erosion and increased soil carbon, all benefiting the environment. Participation also has increased awareness of the participants of the need for improved nutrition of the people who consume the crops from U.S farmland. Participation has provided professional development of the university and agency persons. Participation will result in increased participation in USDA Farm Bill Programs through increased knowledge of cropping systems by field office staffs.

Section D

USDA-NRCS agronomists in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho will receive some of the findings through technical notes and power point presentations to increase their level of awareness about crop residue management, no-till and direct seeding, and crop rotations. Information for newsletters will be provided to conservation districts in the three-state area. The Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association, a grower group, has requested a report for sharing with their 300 participants.