Christian County Soil and Water Conservation District
Education
Traveling Trunks
The Christian County Soil and Water Conservation District is dedicated to the education of all of Christian Countys citizens, especially in the area of soil and water conservation. Because of this dedication, the District received a grant for three Traveling Trunks to be used in the education of children within the District. The trunks are categorized for Elementary, Middle School, and High School. In cooperation with your school or other coordinator, these trunks will be available for your school to borrow free of charge.
Contents of the Elementary Trunk Posters: “The Water Cycle
Puppets:
Worm-Vue Worm Farm |
Contents of the Middle School Trunk Posters: “The Water Cycle” Biodiversity
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Contents of the High School Trunk Books: “60 Ways Farmers Can
4Compasses
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Soil Is Alive!!!
Fourth Grade Soil Demonstrations Fourth grade students and teachers enjoy a hands on soil demonstration featuring a soil profile activity and "fourth grade Fear Factor" with edible soil. This exciting presentation is a proven favorite and has been declared the "highlight" of the school year by several teachers.
Envirothon
Southwest Regional Envirothon Competition
The SWCD is an active supporter of the Southwest Regional Envirothon a 26 county region. The Envirothon is a problem solving, natural resource education program for high school students. In the field, teams of five students are challenged to hone critical thinking skills and work as a team. They answer questions and conduct hands-on investigations of environmental issues in five categories: Soils/Land Use, Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, and Current Environmental Issues. In addition to a written test, the teams also present an oral presentation solving a specific natural resource issue.
This year's Southwest Regional Envirothon was held November 1, 2006 at Doling Park in Springfield. The southwest regional competition is the largest regional competition in the state and has grown to become larger than the state competition itself. There were twenty-two teams competing this year for top honors and a chance to go to the state competition this spring in Mexico, MO. The regional competition is sponsored by area businesses, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), area Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), and it is volunteers from these organizations and from throughout the region that provide the man power that makes this event possible. For more information about the Envirothon please see the Missouri Envirothon Page
Field Trips
Christian County SWCD recently received a new Information-Education grant that was designed to provide teachers, primarily high school students, and landowners with educational opportunities that will help to create responsible future landowners and land users who have respect for our natural resources.
Through this project two annual fieldtrip opportunities are available to Christian County high schools. The bottom line for these activities is to get the students outdoors in order to better teach them about natural resources by going beyond the classroom and providing on-site environmental education opportunities.
Management Intensive Grazing School
The Grazing School is a great opportunity to learn how to maximize your farm profits by using valuable grazing techniques. With good management you can improve your forage production, double harvest efficiency, and protect your pasture soil.
Not only will you walk away with a new perspective on grazing, your attendance will also meet one of the requirements for receiving cost-share funds to help you implement a new grazing system using the techniques learned at the School.
Instruction will be provided by experienced professionals.
Topics discussed are:
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Inventory of Farm Resources
- Plant Growth
- Water Requirements and Distribution
- Soil Resources
- Fencing and Water Components
- Extending the Grazing Season
- Matching Livestock and Forage
- Grazier’s Arithmetic
- Nutritional Needs of Livestock
- Pasture Fertility
- Grazing Economics
- System Layout & Design
- Pasture Insects
- Grazing Systems and Wildlife
- Forage Quality
- Cost Share Opportunities
Warm Season Grass Field Day
Area residents can enjoy a day touring a local farm which specializes in the production of warm season grass seed, and in learning about these special grasses. For over 25 years, Leland and Terry Bohmont have been producing seed for commercial sale. Each year the Bohmonts host an annual field day to educate landowners about warm season grasses.
Many of these grasses are native to the Ozarks and are more efficient in utilizing nutrients and water. This trait makes them less costly to produce. Warm season grasses provide a much needed source of forage at a time when fescue growth is minimal and toxicity problems can make it less than desirable.
