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Requirements January 1957 until September 1963

1. Determine the depth of topsoil in at least two contrasting areas, such as grazed and ungrazed woods; cultivated fields and fields left in grass, grazed pastures and ungrazed haylots; well-kept lawn and heavily cropped garden; etc.

2. Plant two bean seeds in a flower pot of topsoil, and two bean seeds in a flowerpot of subsoil. Tend them for a month and report difference in rate of growth in two pots, appearance of plants, and other differences.

(a) Describe the different types, causes, and results of soil erosion.
(b) Show snapshots or rough sketches of two examples of erosion in your community.
(c) Explain what is meant by soil depletion.

3. Explain the meaning of the following terms: (a) contour farming; (b) strip cropping; (c) rotation of crops; (d) terracing; (e) cover crops.

4. On a road map or similar map, point out the watershed area for your community.

6. Make a diagram-sketch showing how rain water falling to the ground eventually gets to your kitchen faucet.

7. Explain how man's use of land in the watershed affects your community's water supply.

8. Do one:

(a) Help build a stock pond or farm pond.
(b) Make a study of plant, animal, and fish species in a pond and, if necessary, carry out such practices as will increase the fish population.
(c) Carry out a bank erosion control or other improvement project on a stream, pond, or lake.
(d) Control a gully by building necessary diversion ditches and brush dams or other structures and planting to grass and shrubs.
(e) Take an active part in removing the cause of pollution of a stream, pond, or lake.
(f) Help to plan, survey, and lay out a drainage or irrigation system for a field or other area that needs drainage or irrigation.
(g) Help build drainage or irrigation ditches on a field.
(h) Find out what is done with domestic and industrial waste in your community and write at least 500 words on the methods used to prevent pollution and to purify your water supply.
(i) Help to plan, survey, or lay out contour furrows or water-spreading dikes on pasture or range land.
(j) Carry out any other water management project approved by your counselor or representative of the local soil conservation district, national forest, or Taylor grazing district.

9. Do one:

(a) Help carry out a soil conservation project on a farm or Scout camp cooperating with the local soil conservation district.
(b) Plant 100 tree or shrub seedlings on school grounds, park, camp, or other eroding area that is unsuited for cultivation, or as a windbreak for buildings or a blowing field.
(c) Test the soil, fertilize, and, as needed, lime and plant grass or perennial legumes on 1/4 acre of lawn, school grounds, camp, or other eroding area that is unsuited for cultivation.
(d) Take an active part in the program for a Farmer's Field Day, Face Lifting, or other soil conservation demonstration project.
(e) Trace a conservation survey map of a local farm or Scout camp and describe the different land classes found on it and tell what each different area should be used for and what conservative measures are needed on it.
(f) Help survey and lay out a plot of land for terracing, or strip cropping, or contour ploughing. (h) Help plan, layout, or construct a grass waterway for a field or other eroding area where a waterway is needed.
(i) Carry out any other soil conservation project approved by your counselor or representative of the local soil conservation district, national forest, or Taylor grazing district.
(j) Reseed one acre of pasture or range land on which the present grass cover is insufficient to guard the soil against erosion.

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* As a 4-H'er, complete a club project in this subject. Or as an FFA member, meet these or equivalent requirements through the FFA supervised farming program.

Requirements September 1967 until January 1969         .

1. Soil

(a) Tell what soil is and how it is formed.
(b) Name and describe three kinds of soil and tell how they differ.
(c) Name the three principal plant nutrients in a fertile soil. Tell how they can be replaced when depleted.

2. Soil Erosion

(a) Define soil erosion.
(b) Tell why soil erosion is important and how it affects you.
(c) Name and describe at least three kinds of soil erosion.
(d) Take photographs or make sketches of two kinds of soil erosion.

3. Conservative Practices

(a) Tell what is meant by conservation practices.
(b) Name, describe, and explain the effect of three kinds of erosion-control practices.
(c) Take photographs or make sketches of three kinds of erosion-control practices.

4. Watersheds

(a) Explain what a watershed is.
(b) Outline the smallest watershed that you can find easily on a contour map (preferably one with which you are familiar).
(c) Then outline, as far as possible on your map, the next larger watershed in which the smallest one is included.
(d) Explain what a river basin is and why all its residents should be concerned about land and water use in it.

5. Water Supply

(a) Make a sketch to illustrate the hydrologic cycle.
(b) Set up a small demonstration to show at least two of the following actions of water in relation to soil: percolation, capillary action, precipitation, evaporation, transpiration.
(c) Explain how fire, overgrazing, or removal of vegetation in other ways will affect the way water runs off a watershed.
(d) Tell how uses of forest, range, and cultivated land affect usable water supply.
(e) Explain how industrial use affects water supply.

6. Water Pollution

(a) Tell what is meant by water pollution.
(b) Describe common sources of water pollution in rivers or streams and explain the effects of pollution on fish and wildlife, boating, swimming, and the use of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes.
(c) Define the terms "primary water treatment," "secondary waste treatment," and "biological oxygen demand."
(d) Make a diagram illustrating the principles of complete waste treatment.

7. Projects

Do two projects from the following list:

(a) Make a trip to one of the following places and write a report of more than 500 words about the conservation practices you saw~(1) an agricultural experiment, (2) a managed forest or woodlot or managed range, (3) a wildlife refuge or a fish or game management area, (4) a conservation farm or ranch, (5) a watershed being managed to reduce sediment on a municipal water supply reservoir or a small watershed project in which soil and water conservation practices have been applied to the land, (6) a waste water treatment facility, (7) a public drinking water supply and treatment facility, (8) industry use of water, (9) desalinization plant.
(b) Plant at least 100 suitable trees, shrubs, or vines for a worthwhile purpose such as beautification, production of wood products, erosion control, or food and cover for wildlife.
(c) Seed an area of at least 1/5 acre for some worthwhile conservation purpose using grasses or legumes alone or in a mixture. The area may be a lawn, school or campground, field, pasture, or range.
(d) Study a soil survey report and describe the things it contains. On tracing paper laid over any of the soil maps, outline an area that contains three or more different kinds of soil. The area selected may include an area that you know such as your camp, a farm, or ranch. For this selected area, do the following: List each different kind of soil by complete name and mapping symbol.
(e) Make an inventory of the areas in your neighborhood, on your campgrounds, school grounds, or a nearby park having erosion, sedimentation, or pollution problems. Describe how through individual, troop, or community action your suggested conservation measures could be put into effect.
(f) Carry out any other soil and water conservation project approved in advance by your counselor.