Requirements January 1952 until January 1957

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 flower pot of subsoil. Tend them for a month and report on difference in rate of growth in two pots, appearance of plants, and other differences.

3. (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.

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

5. 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 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 law, 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 Listing," 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.

g. Help construct terraces on a field.

h. Help plan, lay out 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.

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.

3. (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.

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

5. 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.

(g) Help construct terraces on a field.

(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.