Name: _____________________________________
Save the Soil
Introduction
You are a soil conservationist. Farmer Tim has called you to help him save his topsoil. Farmer Tim has inherited
beautiful land that is very hill ad wide open. He has always wanted to grow crops on his farm, but is having a
difficult time with soil erosion. Farmer Tim needs your help in controlling the soil erosion on his far. If you are
able to help, he will be willing to hire your team for future conservation issues on his farm. Good luck!
Overall Task
You will work with your team of conservationists to research possible soil conservation practices, select two
possible conservation practices you believe will benefit Farmer Tim, and work with your team to present your
possible solutions
Process
1. Read about Erosion at this website and why the soil is so important to Farmer Tim at this website
Soil
Erosion
1. http://school.discoveryeducation.com/school
1. http://www2.kenyon.edu/projects/far
adventures/soil/recipe_soil.html
mschool/types/soil.htm
2. http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/edresources/soil.
2. http://www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/envir
html
o/erosion/ecare.html
3. http://www.maine.gov/dep/land/water
shed/index.html
4. http://www.weru.ksu.edu/vids/
Record three interesting facts about soil and erosion on the “Interesting Fact” table below:
Soil
Erosion
Fact 1:
Fact 1:
Fact 2:
Fact 2:
Fact 3:
Fact 3:
No-till http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-till_farming
Crop rotation
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm/2000/9-18-2000/notill.html
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/technical/
alphabetical/ncps
http://dairynutrient.wisc.edu/468/page.php?id=168
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_disadvantages_of_crop_rotation
Terraces http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/geography/terracefarming.htm
Grass waterways http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/brochures/GrassedWaterways.html
http://www.pm10inc.com/erosion-control-terracing.html
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/09-021.htm
Contour plowing
Windbreaks http://www.unl.edu/nac/windbreaks.htm
http://answers.ask.com/Business/Constructions_and_Materials/what_is
_contour_farming
http://www.rivenrock.com/soilcons.htm
http://www.gnb.ca/0171/10/0171100001-e.asp
Strip cropping
Cover crop
http://www.sera17.ext.vt.edu/Documents/BMP_strip_cropping.pdf
http://www.covercrops.msu.edu/pdf_files/covercrop.pdf
https://engineering.purdue.edu/~engelb/asm336/erosion/practi
ces.html
http://cropsoil.psu.edu/extension/ct/uc128.pdf
Soil Conservation Technique: Crop Rotation
Soil Conservation Technique: Cover Crop
Description:
Description:
Advantages:
Advantages:
Illustration:
Illustration:
Soil Conservation Technique: Terraces
Soil Conservation Technique: Contour Plowing
Description:
Description:
Advantages:
Advantages:
Illustration:
Illustration:
Soil Conservation Technique: No-Till
Soil Conservation Technique: Windbreaks
Description:
Description:
Advantages:
Advantages:
Illustration:
Illustration: