* * CONSERVATION AND SOILS * * Agriculture Resources Management Conservation and Soils (7 days) This unit deals with increasing the students' awareness of the importance of soil conservation. Topics include soil conservation careers, protection and maintenance of soils, agricultural philosophical positions, and agricultural environmental issues. Objectives To acquaint students with employment information and career opportunities in the conservation industry To emphasize the need for agriculture as a part of the total environmental system To assist students in designing a conservation program To highlight the need for conservation practices in agriculture Competencies At the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to explain current employment information such as job descriptions, job availability, personal and educational requirements, working conditions, opportunity for advancement, and other factors relative to potential employment in the conservation industry and relate it to their personal needs and aspirations; describe the role of agriculture in conservation; compare natural and agricultural systems; list the methods necessary to maintain artificial systems; identify the philosophies of agriculturalists and environmentalists; analyze agriculture's contribution to environmental problems and prepare at least one solution for each problem; and explain why farmers should be concerned with pollution problems. Subject Matter (Basic skills integration areas are shown in brackets following title.) Career - Current and future employment needs - Job descriptions - Training requirements - Working conditions - Opportunities for advancement - Other factors Agriculture is an unbalanced and artificial system [Science] - Natural system versus agricultural system Natural system 1.plant and animal diversity 2.natural enemies of plants and animals 3.tolerances of living organisms (e.g., weeds more drought-resistant than corn) Agricultural system 1.monoculture regional insect infestations wildlife reduction 2.Broad-spectrum pesticides 3.Economic emphasis on production - Common agricultural methods Tillage Pesticides New varieties Fertilizer applications Agricultural and environmental philosophies - Agriculturalist beliefs - Environmentalist beliefs - Mutual understanding Agricultural contributions to environmental problems [Science] - Crop land drainage Siltation Fertility Pesticides Soil structure Approved soil and water conservation practices 1.vegetative cover for class V and VIII land 2.filter cover along streams and lakes 3.other soil and water conservation measures - Feedlot and barnyard run-off Point and nonpoint pollution Surface and groundwater pollution Approved soil and water conservation practices 1.location of feedlots and barnyards 2.manure storage 3.animal confinement 4.filter cover along streams and lakes - Water supply management Well contamination Groundwater filtration Approved soil and water conservation practices 1.regular manure removal 2.concrete manure storage area 3.location of feedlots and barnyards 4.location of septic systems and wells - Pesticide usage considerations Impact on wildlife Water supply contamination Applicator injury Residue impact Approved pesticide application practices 1.follow label directions 2.limit application frequency 3.dispose of containers properly 4.use safety equipment 5.select single-target chemicals when possible 6.practice approved conservation methods 7.rotate crops 8.practice biological pest control - Sewage sludge fertilizer Completes the nutrient cycle Provides water and nutrients to crops Avoid using sludge containing heavy metals, which are commonly found in industrial waste Take precautions in applying sewage sludge to soils used to provide food for human consumption - Effects of "clean farming" on wildlife Mowing or burning fencerows destroys protective cover, travel lanes, and nesting sites for wildlife Draining potholes and straightening streams disturbs cover Spring plowing and fenced stream banks reduce erosion - Odors, rodents, and other nuisance problems Causes Approved sanitation practices 1.remove manure regularly 2.spread manure properly 3.practice sound sanitation methods 4.use rodenticides judiciously 5.reduce standing water using proper drainage techniques Motivational Activities Visit farms using sound erosion and pollution control measures. Test streams or lakes polluted by agricultural run-off for pH, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, and phosphate levels. Invite conservation specialists such as representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Soil Conservation Service, game manager, county planner, and public health official to give class presentations. Visit zoning enforcement offices. List plant and animal species found in the natural system and those found in the agricultural system. Display pictures and life cycles of natural enemies of plant and animal species. Display a list of uses and container labels from various pesticides. View videotapes, films, and slides on unit-related topics. Learning Activities Participate in a Supervised Agricultural Experience program. Design a feedlot that includes safeguards to prevent erosion. Collect and test water samples to determine their suitability for drinking. Display equipment used to protect a person who handles and applies pesticides. Discuss the research results of using sewer sludge as a fertilizer. Instructional Materials Textbooks and References Approved Practices in Soil Conservation by Duane A. Bosworth and Albert B. Foster. 5th ed. Danville, IL: Interstate, 1983. Environmental Conservation by Raymond F. Dasmann. 5th ed. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1984. Available from National Farm Book Company. A Guide to the Study of Environmental Pollution by W.A. Andrews. New York: Prentice Hall, 1972. Our Soils and Their Management by Roy L. Donahue, Roy H. Follett, and Rodney L. Tulloch . 5th ed. Danville, IL: Interstate, 1983. Profitable Soil Management by Leo L. Knuti. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1984. Available from National Farm Book Company. Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. New York: Sierra Club Books/Ballantine, 1966. Soil Science and Management by Edward J. Plaster. Albany, NY: Delmar, 1985. Available from Hobar Publications. Bulletins and Pamphlets The following are available from the Cooperative Extension Service. Compendium of Research Reports on Use of Non-Traditional Materials for Crop Production. A9NTM. Supplement. A9NTM-1. Conservation Tillage for Corn. A3091. Conservation Tillage for Corn Handbook. A3379. Conservation Tillage for Corn Teaching Packet. A3379-1. Conservation Tillage for Dairy Farms. A3370. Livestock Yard Runoff Control Systems. A3077. Nonpoint Pollution: Agricultural Runoff in Wisconsin. G2979. Nonpoint Source Pollution: Land Use and Water Quality. G3025. Pesticides in Groundwater: How They Get There; What Happens to Them; How to Keep Them Out. G3213. Wisconsin's Soil and Water Conservation Program. G3230. The following is available from Hobar Publications. Our Land and Its Care. P120. The following are available from the Soil Conservation Service. Animal Waste as a Pollutant or Resource. Wisconsin Brochure. 1976. Conservation Tillage Systems. Wisconsin Brochure. 1980. Plant Materials for Conservation. Program Aid 1219. 1979. Soil Erosion - The Work of Uncontrolled Water. Ag Information Bulletin AIB260. Rev. 1981. Periodicals Conservation Journal of Soil and Water Conservation Soil and Water Conservation News Water Pollution Control Federation Journal Wisconsin Natural Resources Computer Software The following is available from Agri-Education, Inc. Conservation Tillage. Apple, IBM. The following are available from Hobar Publications. Soil Conservation, Surveying, and Related Review. Apple, IBM. Soil Evaluation, Fertility, and Related Review. Apple, IBM. Tillage and Related Review. Apple. IBM. The following are available from Mid States Agri-Technology Associates, Ltd. Micro-Tutor: Conservation. Apple, IBM. Micro-Tutor: Soil Science. Apple, IBM. The following is available from Midwest Agribusiness Services, Inc. Agri-Quiz: Soils. Apple, IBM. Films, Videotapes, and Slides The following are available from the Bureau of Audio Visual Instruction. Conservation and Balance in Nature. 06443 (16mm film, color, 18 minutes). International Film Bureau, 1965. Cry of the Marsh. 07350 (16mm film, color, 13 minutes). Snyder, 1970. Environment. 00586 (16mm film, color, 29 minutes). BFA Educational Media, 1971. Man's Impact on His Environment. 02996 (16mm film, color, 22 minutes). Ward's Nature Science, 1969. Runoff: Land Use and Water Quality. 01765 (16mm film, color, 22 minutes). University of Wisconsin, Department of Agricultural Journalism, 1978. Tragedy of the Commons. 08657 (16mm film, color, 30 minutes) . Holt, Reinhart and Winston, 1971. The following are available from Vocational Education Productions. Ecology and the Agricultural Environment. 1-573-131G ( 49-frame filmstrip with cassette and script). Soil and the Agricultural Environment. 1-573-135G (47-frame filmstrip with cassette and script). The following are available from Vocational Media Associates. Conservation Tillage. 30798-93 (Two parts, sound filmstrips or slides with program guide). Soil: Its Meaning for Man. 30919-93 (Two parts, sound filmstrips with program guide). Soil: The Growth Medium. 30194-93 (Four parts, sound filmstrips with program guide).