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Internships/Experience
Degree programs and continuing education are critical to develop
and enhance human resources to address water quality issues. Numerous Land Grant University classes incorporate elements of nutrient and pesticide management. In
addition to degree programs and continuing education, many opportunities
for graduate and undergraduate education exist at Land Grant Universities
pertaining to nutrient and pesticide management.
Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Projects funded by
CSREES encourage the participation of graduate and undergraduate students
in water quality projects. For example, an Integrated Project on Customizing
and Validating the P Index in Whole Farm Plans for Soils of the Northeast 
incorporated
students in sampling streams, vegetated filter strips, and riparian buffers
at Cornell
University and the University of Vermont. 
At the University of Maine, Sustainable Agriculture undergraduate students initiated and developed a program in response to their desire for more hands on learning. Students in the Black Bear Food Guild manage three acres of certified organic vegetable production and one acre under cover crop. University Faculty oversee student progress and the community overwhelmingly supports the program.
Early Education
Education of children in the local community is often a mission of Land Grant Universities. Here are some examples of how children are being educated on nutrient and pesticide impacts on water quality:
An environmental science program (The Living Streams Curriculum) for middle schools (grades 4-6) that utilizes the Tallapoosa River Watershed as an outdoor laboratory was developed at Auburn University. Significant increases, 54 % to 71 % over a four-year period, in standardized test scores (Stanford 10 Science test) was observed for students who participated in these Tallapoosa Watershed Project-sponsored environmental education activities.
Education is a Northern Plains and Mountains Regional Water Program initiative. The goal is to educate youth and teachers on watershed functions and the relationship between land use and water quality through the development of curricula, youth programming and teacher training. For example, the Utah State University Extension developed the Stream Side Science 9th Grade Curriculum. These activities have been extensively tested in the classroom and modified according to teacher feedback.
Online Resources
Directory
of land-grant universities that
are state partners of CSREES
page last modified on
May 21, 2008
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