John Block Reports from Washington

Let's Celebrate Earth Day

I was at the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week and walked past a beautiful blue spruce tree on the western end of the grounds. To me, it's not just another tree. It is a special tree. I planted it in 1983 when I was Secretary.

When I see that blue spruce at USDA, when I look at the acres of conservation tillage on our Illinois farm, I am reminded of the extraordinary job of conversation that the American farmer and forester have done in this great country.

How many people realize that today there are more trees in this country than there were at the turn of the century? How many know that there are more acres of forest land than there was in 1850? How many people realize that today farmers use a tillage on most erosive land called conservation tillage -- a system that leaves large amounts of residue on top to protect against water and wind erosion?

Are you surprised to hear that a conservation plan has been implemented on millions of acres of farm land? We even have some 36 million acres set aside in a conservation reserve. On my farm in Illinois, there are coyotes and pheasants and deer and wild turkeys that were not to be seen when I was a boy. (We could do without the coyotes.) Using modern farming technology, we are able to feed our citizens and people all over the world on the same number of acres that we farmed 100 years ago. Our application of fertilizer and chemicals is one-half what European farmers apply. That's quite a success story.

We celebrate Earth Day. Earth Day over the years has been an occasion for advocates to criticize every one in sight for destroying the environment. I think Earth Day should be a time to celebrate and salute the American farmer for doing the impossible.

We are eating better, living better, enjoying all kinds of modem conveniences and at the same time protecting the environment for our children. Congratulations, America!

Until next week, I am John Block from Washington.