Excerpt
Every American interested in conserving the land should visit the historic John Rolfe farm. This farm, located in the heart of Colonial America in Virginia, has been farmed continuously for 300 years. It was John Rolfe who led America into its first major Farm export effort. His improved farming and tobacco variety fueled an unprecedented economic leap forward for the then struggling colonies.
Even after 300 years in cultivation, Rolfe's soil is more productive today than ever before.
The Rolfe land delivers two important lessons today: Most American farmers are good stewards of the land and an improved managed acre produces more than any “natural acre.”
One of the most dangerous public myths today is that farmers are despoilers of the land and that all would be well if we let everything revert back to “nature”. Obviously, neither the United States nor the world can tolerate such “enviro-mania.”
Moreover, we also must take a questioning position on government mandated conservation efforts, however well intentioned …
Footnotes
Charlie Scruggs, a native Texan, currently resides in Austin and is actively engaged in ranching, investments and consulting as president of Torado Venture, Inc. Active in international agricultural affairs, Scruggs has participated in meeting of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO of the United Nations in Rome, Italy, as a member of the U.S. delegation.
- Copyright 1992 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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