TY - JOUR T1 - Challenges, opportunities for partners JF - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation SP - 354 LP - 354 VL - 47 IS - 5 AU - Charlie Scruggs Y1 - 1992/09/01 UR - http://www.jswconline.org/content/47/5/354.abstract N2 - 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 … ER -