Editor's note: At conferences with a focus on scientific and political information about alternative agriculture, the live stories of how individual farmers “made the switch” from chemical intensive to low-chemical farming help us to stay in touch with the issues as the farmer sees them. At the IAA symposium, Kansas farmer John Vogelsberg told the story of his choice to make that transition, delighting the audience with his dry humor, warmth, and wisdom. Following are excerpts from his reflections.