Resources for Seniors!

- Investigate the Amount Needed
- Water for Agriculture
- Types of Irrigation
- A Field Trip
- Dryland Farming
- Make Your Own Center Pivot
- Model another Method
- Rainmakers
- Your Local Water Quality
- Runoff vs Recharge
- Demonstrate Potential Risks
- Incentives to Conserve
- Test Your Well
- Share with Others!
- Let's Keep It Clean Blog
-
Investigate the Amount Needed
Research the amount of water used to grow different crops or raise animals. Then share your results with us.
US Geological Survey: How Much Water Does it take to grow…
Global Harvest Initiative – Water and Ag Infographics -
Water for Agriculture
Rain can provide water for crops but sometimes more is needed. What other sources are used?
Types of Agricultural Water Use
EPA – Irrigation
Ag Water Conservation Resources and Websites
Irrigation Water Use -
What are the benefits and disadvantages of the various methods of irrigation. Share what you've learned.
Learn more about center pivot irrigation here.
-
Take a trip out to a field and learn about how the crops are watered then share your photos and what you learned from the trip.
-
Dryland Farming
Learn more about this method of farming that does not use irrigation.
Dryland Farmers Work Wonders without Water in US West
FAQs – Dryland Cropping Systems
Droughts and Downpours: Harvesting Rain on a Dryland Farm -
Follow these instructions and watch this video on how to construct a model pivot.
-
Create a model of any one of the many methods of irrigation. Share your blue prints and photos.
-
Check out these images of center pivots from around the world.
-
Your Local Water Quality
Investigate the water in your community and learn more about your local water utility.
US Geological Survey – Water- Quality Information Pages
Environmental Protection Agency – Local Drinking Water Information
My WATERS Mapper -
Take the runoff vs. recharge activity to the next level. Review the activity and then follow the instructions from your patch booklet.
-
What are some potential groundwater and surface water contamination risks? Use this activity to help answer the question.
-
Incentives to Conserve
What are some of the programs that promote land and water conservation and protection in agriculture?
US Department of Agriculture – Economic Research Service – Irrigation and Water Use
US Department of Agriculture – Economic Research Service – Conservation Programs
Natural Resource Conservation Service – Conservation Programs -
Test water samples from local private wells and educate community members about water contamination risks.
-
Share photos and short summaries of the activities you completed in this patch booklet. Don't be shy, spread the word and share your accomplishments!
-
Check out the blog for fun and educational activities as well as weekly "Water-Wise Wednesdays" updates from Frannie the Fish!