While serving in the Navy, I quickly learned the importance of planning.

We were trained in boot camp and naval school to complete assignments, which could require days, weeks or even months.

I was assigned to the USS Benjamin Stoddert, a guided missile destroyer. For more than three years, my job aboard the ship was working in supply support, replenishing supplies for our tours of duty to Vietnam.

We would try to predict what items would be necessary for our missions during wartime. We kept an inventory of thousands of items that were available in storerooms. Detailed records of frequently used items were filed, and journals of daily activities were properly documented.

There was always great emphasis to be prepared for an emergency. Planning was an essential part of our daily work.

Also, I was often assigned to navigation duty on the ship's bridge. The ship survived many storms at sea, including several typhoons. A ship's sophisticated navigational equipment works only if a plan is followed.

The conservation field requires planning similar to that of a ship going to sea with a mission to complete.

The wise farmer, landowner or woodlot owner follows a conservation plan on the land to protect precious soil.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service can provide technical assistance to farmers.

Planning and implementing conservation practices is important. Contour strip cropping conserves water, soil and fertilizer. Grassed waterways carry excess water safely from a field. Diversions keep runoff from damaging cropland, feed lots, farmsteads and pasture land. Tile drains provide proper soil drainage.

Construction operators who are engaged in earthmoving must have an erosion and sedimentation pollution control plan on the site of operation. Plans are reviewed by Butler County Conservation District staff to make sure conservation practices are included. Sediment fences and straw bales might be utilized as temporary conservation practices to filter sediment before it enters streams. Vegetative measures include the use of mulches and temporary and permanent cover crops on the site. Rip rap is often used when planting is not feasible. The conservation practices should be inspected on a regular basis to make sure they are implemented.

Woodland owners also must plan for the future. Conservation practices are utilized on a woodlot to protect trees from disease and insects. Selective cutting, vine control and planting new tree seedlings are just a few conservation practices necessary for a productive woodlot.

Conservationists are excellent professional planners. Without a good conservation plan implemented on the land, sediment pollution and soil loss can occur. Planning saves money, time and makes sense for proper land management.

Ron Fodor is district manager of the Butler County Conservation District.