Lesson 1Terracin an benchin: types (grassed benches vs. structural terraces), sitin on steep slopes, materials an construction basicsDis section introduce terracin an benchin fi steep cropland. It review terrace types, spacin, outlet design, construction basics, an how fi maintain structures while keepin equipment access an drainage workin.
Choosing terrace or bench typesDetermining terrace spacing and gradePlanning inlets, outlets, and waterwaysConstruction steps and common materialsInspection, maintenance, and repairsLesson 2Conservation tillage an residue management: strip-till, reduced tillage, no-till, surface residue targets an benefitsDis section explain conservation tillage systems dat keep surface residue. It compare strip-till, reduced till, an no-till, set residue targets, an discuss equipment setup, compaction, an residue spread.
Comparing conventional and reduced tillageResidue cover targets by slope and soilStrip-till and no-till equipment setupManaging compaction and traffic patternsResidue distribution after harvestLesson 3Cover croppin: species selection (rye, clover, radish), sowin windows, multispecies mixes, cover crop termination methodsDis section cover cover crop plannin fi erosion control an soil health. It address species traits, seedin windows, mixtures, seedin methods, an termination options dat work wid cash crops an livestock grazin.
Selecting rye, clover, radish, and mixesTiming seeding after harvest or interseedingSeeding rates and equipment optionsGrazing and forage use of cover cropsTermination by herbicide, rolling, or tillageLesson 4Grassed waterways an stabilized flow paths: design widths, species, establishment an maintenanceDis section explain how fi design, establish, an maintain grassed waterways an stable flow paths dat safely carry runoff, reduce rill an gully erosion, an fit wid existin field operations an drainage systems.
Sizing waterway width and side slopesSelecting grass and legume speciesSite preparation and seeding methodsInlet, outlet, and culvert protectionMowing, repairs, and sediment removalLesson 5Strip croppin an crop sequence design: alternatin crop/bare strips, integration wid corn/soy/vegetable rotationsDis section detail strip croppin systems dat alternate crops or cover wid bare or low-cover strips. It explain strip orientation, width, crop sequencin, an integration wid common corn, soybean, an vegetable rotations.
Types of strip cropping arrangementsSetting strip width and field orientationSequencing corn, soy, and small grainsIntegrating vegetables into strip systemsCoordinating traffic lanes and headlandsLesson 6Reforestation an agroforestry options fi steep or marginal land: species, shelterbelts, alley croppin basicsDis section explore reforestation an agroforestry options fi marginal or steep land. It cover species selection, shelterbelts, alley croppin, an how trees can reduce erosion while givin shade, habitat, an products.
Identifying marginal and erosion-prone areasChoosing tree and shrub species mixesDesigning shelterbelts and windbreaksAlley cropping layout and spacingIntegrating livestock with silvopastureLesson 7Gully repair an rill treatment: small-scale check dams, rock/log structures, vegetative stabilizationDis section address diagnosin an repairin rills an gullies before dem expand. It explain causes, small check structures, reshapin, revegetation, an how fi prevent recurrence thru improved drainage an cover.
Identifying causes of rills and gulliesDesigning small rock or log check damsReshaping gully banks and channel bedVegetative stabilization and mulchingUpstream runoff control and diversionsLesson 8Contour farmin an contour buffer strips: layout principles, grade control, row orientation an expected erosion reductionDis section explain contour-based field layout fi slow runoff an reduce erosion. It cover mappin contours, row orientation, contour buffer strips, grade control, an how fi integrate machinery traffic wid contour systems.
Surveying and marking contour linesAligning crop rows with contour gradeDesigning contour buffer strip widthsManaging outlets and grade breaksEstimating erosion reduction benefitsLesson 9Rotational grazin an pasture management: stockin rates, paddock design, temporary fen cin, exclusion zones near streamsDis section focus on rotational grazin systems dat protect soil an water. It address stockin density, paddock layout, temporary fen cin, rest periods, an exclusion of sensitive riparian an wet areas from routine grazin.
Calculating carrying capacity and stocking rateDesigning paddock size and layoutUsing temporary fencing and lanesSetting rest periods and grazing heightsProtecting streams and wet spots from tramplingLesson 10Riparian buffer strips an stream protection: buffer width guidelines, species selection, bank stabilization techniquesDis section cover riparian buffer plannin fi protect streams from sediment an nutrients. It detail buffer width rules, vegetation layers, livestock exclusion, an bank stabilization methods suited fi mixed crop–livestock operations.
Determining buffer width by slope and riskZoned buffer design and vegetation layersNative tree, shrub, and grass selectionLivestock exclusion and watering accessBank shaping, toe armor, and live staking
