Farmers like to think of themselves as the first environmentalists. Because they, more than anyone, depend on the health of the earth for their livelihoods, they value their stewardship of it. But many farmers engage in intensive farming practices?striving for the greatest crop yield per acre by spending money on labor, fertilization, pesticides, etc.?which often produce unintentional environmental consequences. Nutrient runoff, soil erosion, and chemical contamination all potentially threaten our environment. Following the dust bowl of the 1930?s great strides were made in soil conservation and erosion control. Still, in Fresno, California, dust pollution from farmers working the dry soil of the San Joaquin Valley contributes mightily to producing an air quality that ranks third worst in the nation..