Think back to a time before there were aerial drones, genetically modified crops and no-till wasn’t a well-known tillage practice. Fast-forward to today and no-till has been proven effective for most regions and soils and thousands world-wide have since adopted the practice. While there are still new-comers jumping off the plow with each new production season, the history of no-till has been a long time coming.

From Maverick to Mainstream is a chronicling of the personal history that Frank Lessiter saw from the near-beginnings, as the 1st and only editor of No-Till Farmer since 1972. The concept of no-till farming was still in its infancy at that time, just 10 years after one “crazy” farmer in Kentucky, Harry M. Young, tried it out on less than 1 acre. Harry’s son, John Young, remembers, “…I was 11 years old then, and didn’t recognize the huge changes that were about to take place in farming… Back in the early days, Frank flew down to our western Kentucky farm on more than one occasion to visit with my father. He was a keen enthusiast for no-till from the beginning, and remains so today.”

From Maverick to Mainstream: A History of No-Till Farming contains numerous short items “from the archives” of No-Till Farmer issues and 56 chapters including:

• No-Till Success Spawns “Spin Offs’

  Read about the development in the late 1980s and the continuing popularity of strip-till is among several non-traditional reduced tillage practices highlighted in this chapter. This includes the why’s behind strip-tilling, the pioneers who made it work and why it’s become essential for some no-tillers, especially under heavy residue conditions such as with continuous corn. You’ll also learn how proponents encouraged us to start the National Strip-Tillage Conference.

• Notching the No-Till Milestones Through the Years

  In this chapter, follow an overview of the very beginning of no-till that leads into a visually engaging tillage practice timeline stretching from 1830 to 2017. Walk through the evolution of no-till in an easily read, step-by-step history of all the pivotal events. This chapter leads as a jumping point into a collection of chapters that trail through each decade in greater detail.

• Meet the No-Till Legends

  Get to know 43 North Americans and 11 individuals from 7 other countries who most contributed to the growth, popularity and acceptance of no-till. Read about these innovators to find out who they are and how they have played a key role in the expansion of no-till all over the world.

• Plowing is a Practice from the Past

  Learn of the demise of the moldboard, the negatives of plowing, and more. This quirky chapter takes a “stab” at conventional tilling styles still being utilized today. Discover old articles. such as, “How to Spot ‘Habitual Tillers’” and “Just Call Me Irresponsible.” Continue reading, as the next chapter showcases illustrated characters featured in earlier issues of No-Till Farmer — Plowboy Pete and No-Till Ned.

• No-Till Acres Jumped Dramatically Once Roundup Arrived

  This chapter looks back at the journey from glyphosate to Roundup. Read about its first glimpses in plots at the 1974 National No-Tillage Conferences, the introduction of Roundup ready crops, like beans, wheat, corn and alfalfa, Roundup’s competitor, Paraquat, and the companies who made it.

When you hold the book in your hand, you’ll see that this volume is much more than just a history book. It covers the people and their trials and successes. It will surely be of interest to everyone in agriculture, but also to anyone who enjoys celebrating and cheering on early adopters and underdogs who changed the world. It serves as a lasting reminder of how innovations, and their determined personal champions like those profiled in the book, can still make a difference — through grit, learning and sharing, and the encouragement and support of others.

Order today to get a copy personally signed by Frank Lessiter. With 40-plus years of archival articles, photos, comic strips, ads and infographics, this stunning collection is the perfect gift for any admirer of American innovation.

If you have any questions about From Maverick to Mainstream: A History of No-Till Farming, call (866) 839-8455 or email Joanne at jvolkert@lessitermedia.com. Details on From Maverick to Mainstream: A History of No-Till Farming can be found at No-TillFarmer.com/AHistoryOfNoTillFarming.

About the Author

Frank Lessiter, is also the chairman and editorial director of Lessiter Media, Inc., an agricultural based media company he and his wife Pam founded in Brookfield, Wis., in 1981. Spending his career as an ag journalist, Frank is an award-winning writer, photographer and has been the editor of No-Till Farmer since the very first issue in 1972. He has been recognized by numerous organizations for the adoption of conservation tillage in the U.S. Frank has received awards such as the Outstanding Service to No-Tillage Award in 2015, the S.H. Phillips Distinguished Lecturer in No-Till Agriculture Award in 2011, and numerous writing and photography awards from the American Society of Business Press Editors, Newsletter Clearinghouse, as well as AAEA Farm Publications Editor of the Year and Photographer of the Year.