4-H Field Crops & Agronomy explores the science behind large-scale crop production and the science behind the land management practices that make field crops thrive.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn the science behind field crop production
- Explore soil health and soil science
- Explore agronomy as a career
- Learn about major field crops in the United States and their impact on the agriculture industry
4-H Field Crops & Agronomy Curriculum
Available through the Extension office or online.
4-H Crops & Soils Project – Small Grains: Wheat, Oats, Barley, & Rye
Small Grains – Cops and Soils project from the University of Illinois. For grades 3 and above.
4-H Crops & Soils Project – Corn
Corn – Cops and Soils project from the University of Illinois. For grades 3 and above.
4-H Crops & Soils Project – Soybeans
Soybeans – Cops and Soils project from the University of Illinois. For grades 6 and above.
Afterschool Agriculture: Acres of Adventure Level 1
This group activity guide for the after-school teacher will quickly engage youth in learn-by-doing agriculture activities within the following thematic units: All About Agriculture, Fast Food Agriculture, Mystery Agriculture, and Plant Detectives.
Afterschool Agriculture: Acres of Adventure Level 2
This group activity guide for the after-school teacher provides ready-to-use lessons plans that will quickly involve youth in experiential activities related to the following thematic units: Agriculture Gone Wild, Farm Physics, Frontier Living, and Insect Invasion.
Exploring the World of Plants & Soils Project Book 1: It’s More Than Just Dirt
The Exploring the World of Plants and Soils: It’s More Than Just Dirt looks at environmental and internal factors that affect plant growth. Youth aged 12-14 will enjoy the activities that have them explore plants and soils, learn about gardening and the natural world, and stewardship towards the earth and environmental decision making. It’s More Than Just Dirt is the first of three project books.
Exploring the World of Plants & Soils Project Book 2: Stems & Stamens
The Exploring the World of Plants and Soils: Stems & Stamens looks at the composition of plants, the functions of individual plant parts, plant life cycles, and the many ways plants reproduce themselves. Youth aged 12-14 will enjoy the activities that have them explore plants and soils, learn about gardening and the natural world, and stewardship towards the earth and environmental decision making. Stems & Stamens is the second of three project books.
Exploring the World of Plants & Soils Project Book 3: Sprouting Out & Growing Up
The Exploring the World of Plants and Soils: Sprouting Out and Growing Up looks at environmental and internal factors that affect plant growth. Youth aged 12-14 will enjoy the activities that have them explore plants and soils, learn about gardening and the natural world, and stewardship towards the earth and environmental decision making. Sprouting Out and Growing Up is the third of three project books.
Soil to Seed is designed to cultivate high school aged-youth in understanding the principles of erosion and sediment control. The curriculum begins with the fundamental mechanics behind erosion and sedimentation, then teaches students how to assess physical spaces for evidence of these processes, and eventually builds their knowledge base of how to manage and control soil loss and deposition.
4-H Soil and Water Science, Level 1 Digital Download
The 4-H Soil and Water Science curriculum is for youth who enjoy learning about science and two important natural resources: soil and water. Level 1 introduces basic terms and concepts. Activities focus on understanding important soil and water processes.
4-H Soil and Water Science, Level 2 Digital Download
Level 2 activities help you put the basic concepts into action to understand more advanced soil and water concepts and interactions with the environment.
4-H Soil and Water Science, Level 3 Digital Download
Level 3 activities are divided into chapters based on how you might use the information you have learned — as a homeowner, resident of a watershed, food and fiber producer (farmer), mayor, teacher, or legislator. Level 3 delves deeper into soil and water science concepts and can prepare you to be well informed and to study these topics at a college or university.
Soil and Water Science Facilitator’s Guide Digital Download
This Soil and Water Science Facilitator’s Guide answers the questions in the youth guides and suggests ways to facilitate the activities. It also gives additional information about working with youth, for those who wish to learn more. This guide supports all three Soil and Water Science levels.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Includes place to plot garden design and records of planting, experiments, inventory, income, and expenses.
For adult helpers and club leaders
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
4-H Friday Fun! Seed Germination – The University of Maine (video)
4-H Friday Fun! is a series of at-home activities for parents and kids. In this video, join Zabet NeuCollins as she explains and explores seed germination and experiments with seed germination with items that can be found around the house.
The PDF instructions and data collection chart are available through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County 4-H Floriculture Project
Yakima County 4-H Food Systems Project
Yakima County 4-H Gardening Project
Yakima County 4-H Horticulture Project
Yakima County 4-H Entomology Project
Yakima County Environmental Stewardship Project Areas
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Fields, Food, & You: Cultivating Global Agriculture Awareness
Fields, Food, & You focuses specifically on agronomy as a way for youth to learn their role as global citizens and explore the exciting field of agriculture as a potential career choice. Designed for youth in grades 3-8, Fields, Food, & You reaches youth through ten experiential lessons designed to help youth see themselves as responsible agronomists, practice sustainable agriculture, and develop interest and curiosity in agronomy as a future pathway.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Tools & Resources – US Soybean Board
National Corn Growers Association
Web Soil Survey – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey (WSS) provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. It is operated by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and provides access to the largest natural resource information system in the world. NRCS has soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation’s counties and anticipates having 100 percent in the near future. The site is updated and maintained online as the single authoritative source of soil survey information.
What is Botany? Crash Course Botany #1
Welcome to Crash Course Botany! Over the next 15 episodes, Alexis Nikole Nelson will spill plants’ secrets—how they evolved, how they function, and just how vital they are to human societies and all of life on Earth.
The complete Crash Course Botany series can be found here.
What makes soil healthy? What methods might farmers use to maintain healthy soil?
“Soil” doesn’t just mean “dirt.” It is a mixture of minerals like rocks and clay, organic material like dead leaves, living organisms like worms, microbes, and insects, and even air and water. There is an entire world beneath your feet! Soil quality is important because it helps to sustain an ecosystem responsible for our food and fiber needs, environmental quality, and human health.
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
National 4-H Plants, Gardening, and Agriculture Curriculum Collection
Beginner and advanced gardeners alike will understand the importance of testing their soil to ensure their plants have the best chance of flourishing. This Soil Master Kit contains 10 tests each for pH, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus – the key components of quality soil.