Soil and water conservation has been a major concern in the Inland Pacific Northwest since the onset of farming 125 years ago.� Some of the highest historic water erosion rates in the USA occurred on steep slopes in the Palouse region where soil loss averaged 45 Mg ha¹ yr^-1 and could reach 450 Mg ha^-1 yr^-1.� Rapid snowmelt or rain on thawed soil overlying a frozen layer causes the worst water erosion, especially on newly-planted winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields following grain legumes that produce little residue.� The primary concerns with water erosion are heavy loss of topsoil from 2 million ha of croplands and the accompanying degradation of water quality.� Heavy soil loss and degradation of air quality from wind erosion are the major concerns in the 1.5 million ha of croplands comprising the dry (< 300 mm annual precipitation) winter wheat � summer fallow cropping zone.� Here drought, excessive tillage, low production of crop residue, poorly aggregated soils with low organic matter content, and occasional high winds leave soil vulnerable to blowing.� These soils are dominated by particles < 75 um in diameter that are readily suspended and transported for long distances.� Significant advances in water and wind erosion control have occurred in the past 30 years.� Most approaches involve management of the soil surface and crop residues.� Today's powerful tractors and modern implements allow farmers to conduct field operations in a timely manner. Effective use of glyphosate and other herbicides has largely reduced the need for repeated tillage operations and, on some farms, eliminated the need for tillage.� Numerous research advances and increased technical know-how, combined with economic incentives by government farm programs and energy costs have fueled an ongoing steady shift to conservation-till and no-till farming.