The Augusta Courier

Protection Of Soil Is Sound Investment
Senator Russell Says

Soil, Water Research Facilities
Dedicated
At Watkinsville
By
Famous Georgian

WATKINSVILLE, GA., Dec. 4 -
Senator Richard B. Russell declared here today that money spent in conserving and improving soil resources is a sound investment in the future of the country.
But the Georgia Senator said in spite of the tangible result of present conservation programs, there are some who would "scuttle this great program forthwith if they had their way. These selfish and narrow individuals contend that the Government has no business helping to conserve the resources of the country."
"If we can afford to spend billions of dollars developing the resources of foreign countries, surely we can afford to spend a few million dollars in conserving the resources of our own," he said.

Research Facilities
Russell was the principal speaker at ceremonies dedicating the new soil and water research facilities at the Southern Piedmont Conservation Station here in Watkinsville. Russell praised the Watkinsville Station and pointed out that it had developed a number of major soil and water conservation practices that are now being carried out throughout the Piedmont area of Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.
As Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Agricultural Appropriations, the Georgian has played a major role in obtaining funds for the station and the new facilities. He has long been a leading conservation advocate in Congress.
In his prepared speech, Senator Russell continued his criticism of the Republican Administration's handling of the nation's farm program. He also hit at efforts of the Administration to reduce the Agricultural Conservation Program.
"Fortunately, Congress so far has been able to thwart Benson's attempts to starve-out the ACP program. We have, in fact, been able to increase the amount of money the Secretary (Benson) recommended for the conservation program for six of the eight years he has been in office."

Soil, Water Program
Russell pledged his continuing effort in the fight to maintain an effective program of soil and water conservation in the country. He pointed out that Georgia is one of the leading states in conservation work with six out of every ten farmers participating in an organized soil conservation district.
Senator Russell also declared:
"It is impossible to overstate the urgent importance of soil and water conservation to the future welfare and prosperity of our entire nation.
"There are some people who tend to regard soil conservation as a matter that affects the lives of every man, woman and child in the country regardless of where they live.
"It is true that those who live on the land are the immediate custodians and stewards of the soil But the land provides the food and fiber to feed and clothe everybody in the nation. Thus, everybody's business.

Bountiful Land
"The bountiful land that has brought the rich blessings of plenty to this and preceding generations of Americans must go on feeding and clothing countless generations of future Americans.
"This simple fact should be apparent to even the most short-sighted member of our society But apparently it is not I was shocked and appalled to hear a prominent Republican Senator argue that we should curtail spending for conservation activities because of our present farm surpluses.
"Soil conservation is not something that can be turned on and off at will like a water spigot It is a continuing job and a vastly important one

Fertility of Soil
The truth is that the fertility of the soil is not inexhaustible or its produce unlimited In the United States today, there are between 500 and 600 million acres of land suitable for farming - about three acres per person to feed and clothe our present population of 180 million.
"Thanks to the natural richness of our land and the resourcefulness of our farmers, the current needs of our present population are being met. We have, in fact, the good fortune to know the blessing of abundance rather than the curse of scarcity.
"But it would be a fatal mistake to assume that the present situation will continue indefinitely. We are a growing country. Each year, the sun shines on an additional three million Americans. By as early as 1975, we are expected to have a national population of 225 million or more.

Solemn Obligation
"Those Americans of the future must depend on the land they inherit from us to sustain them. We have a solemn obligation to see that it does.
"Here in Georgia, we are living up to that obligation to conserve the land for ourselves and for those who will follow us. In virtually every phase of soil and water conservation, our state is setting a challenging pace for the Southeast and, for that matter, the entire nation.
"Georgia was one of the first states to enact legislation to enable landowners to organize and operate their own soil conservation districts. As a result every acre of land in the state is now covered by one of the 27 Soil Conservation Districts. Six out of 10 Georgia farmers are cooperating in planned conservation programs for their land.

Last Fiscal Year
"In the last fiscal year alone, Georgia farmers cooperating in conservation districts established for the first time 233,000 acres of conservation crop rotation and planted 231,000 acres of cover crops. 144,000 acres of pasture and almost 260,000 acres of trees. In addition, they built 1,250 new farm ponds and established almost 1000 acres of terraces.
"This remarkable record has been due in no small measure to the unselfish leadership of the supervisors of Georgia's conservation districts.
"These men serve without pay. Yet their reward is far too valuable to be measured in terms of dollars. Theirs is the deep, inner satisfaction that comes with the knowledge that they are meeting their responsibilities of today for the children of tomorrow.

Georgia Is Fortunate
"Georgia is indeed fortunate to have men of this caliber to lead, direct and supervise the conservation movement in our state.
"Another key member of the conservation teams are the trained conservationists who provide the essential technical assistance to implement farm plans and practices. These dedicated men provide the know-how and expert touch that makes the program a success.
"One appealing aspect of this program is that it is entirely voluntary. No one is forced or required to do anything. The farmers who cooperate in the district organization do so because they recognize they can do better together what would be difficult to do individually It is an outstanding example of do-it-yourself program.