2023 Environment and Natural Resources Skills Activity Skills Activity
UPDATED March 27, 2027
Associate Superintendent Contact Information
Dr. Jason McKibben
Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education
Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
Telephone, 334.844.4464.
Email: jdm0184@auburn.edu
Purpose
The purpose of the Environment and Natural Resources skill activity is to evaluate the students’ ability to perform skills related to water quality, sustainable agricultural practices, soil and water conservation, surveying, and biological waste handling.
Participants in this activity will work with soil and water conservation engineering concepts and equipment. Students should be familiar with surveying equipment, irrigation equipment, water pumping equipment, legal land descriptions, water testing kits and concepts related to soil and water conservation engineering.
General Information
All students must wear safety glasses during the skill activities. To enter the CDE area, students must have safety glasses in their possession.
No iPad, tablet and cell phone devices will be allowed in the contest area. The activity may involve problem solving and calculations. A calculator is highly recommended.
Participants in this activity will be expected to work with compact engines so that the engines operate optimally. Students might be asked to complete an activity that includes one or more of the following skills.
Possible activities for the 2023 event
Calculating soil permeability
Determining erosion rates
Interpreting soil mapping
Interpreting geological surveys
Determining grading and shaping requirements.
Determining sediment control methods
Competencies
Read and interpret maps including conservation, land use, soils, topographic, aerial, and remote sensing and geological surveys.
Describe principles involved in appropriate conservation and/or land-use planning.
Interpret legal land descriptions and determine land area.
Calculate soil loss using universal equations and determine effects of the components of the equations.
Determine appropriate types, locations and uses of erosion- and sedimentation-control basins.
Determine land shaping and grading requirements.
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Content Standards
CS.08.02.01.a. Use the appropriate procedures for the use and operation of specific tools and equipment.
CS.08.02.01.b. Demonstrate safety precautions when using tools for a specific task around bystanders.
CS.04.01.02.c. Evaluate sustainability policies and plans and prepare summary of potential improvements for AFNR businesses or organizations.
CS.04.02.01.b. Analyze natural resources trends and technologies and explain how they impact AFNR systems (e.g., climate change, green technologies, water resources, etc.).
CS.04.02.02.b. Create and defend a hypothetical natural resources policy that will impact current AFNR systems (e.g., for water resources, land use, air quality, etc.).
ESS.03.02. Performance Indicator: Apply soil science and hydrology principles to environmental service systems.
NRS.02.02.01.b Locate natural resources using a land survey and geographic coordinate system.
NRS.04.01.01.a. Identify and categorize different kinds of streams.
PS.01.03. Performance Indicator: Develop and implement a fertilization plan for specific plants or crops.
PST.04.03. Follow architectural and mechanical plans to construct, maintain and/or repair AFNR structures (e.g., material selection, site preparation and/or layout, plumbing, concrete/ masonry, etc.).
PST.05.03.02.a. Examine the components of precision technologies used in AFNR systems.
Suggested Resources
In addition to the general references specified for the Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems CDE, the following references are suggested for the Compact Equipment Skill Activity. Note: Specific references are listed below, but others may be added at a later date and remember:
Please review the general references for the CDE.
Herren, R. V. (2010). Agricultural Mechanics: Fundamentals & Applications, (6th or 7th ed.) Clifton, Park NY: Delmar.
General soils book:
Brady, N. & Weil, R. (2004). Elements of the Nature and Property of Soils. Prentice Hall.
Soil mapping:
Flow rates and drainage:
Calculations of discharge and permeability:
Basic definitions of sediment and erosion control:
Please review the general references for the CDE. - CDE rules
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