Hundreds of conservationists from eight states are in Cedar Rapids for aregional meeting this week. Tim Reich (RYK) is secretary-treasurer of theNational Association of Conservation Districts. He says the meeting’s focusis on conservation “Beyond 2000 — In the Children’s Hands.”Reich says the association is trying to help teachers across the U-S passalong vital information about the conservation of our nation’s naturalresources — and he thinks they’re getting the message out.He says one of the biggest challenges to conservation right now is thefailing farm economy.The meeting runs through Wednesday & has drawn 250 N-A-C-D members fromIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio & Wisconsin.