Graham County Programs

Name of Program/Location/Point of Contact

Graham County Cooperative Extension
Carol Willis, County Director
P.O. Box 127
Solomon, Arizona 85551-0127
(520) 428-2611
email: cwillis@ag.arizona.edu

Description of Programs

A. Water Education Field Day

Each class participated in 4 activities at the Mt. Graham Golf Course and a nearby park. Through interactive activities, students explored wastewater treatment, groundwater flow, water's importance to all lifeforms and the process of erosion.

Audience: Both Graham County events were for students and their teachers. Lafe Nelson Elementary School in Safford participated in the Water Education Field Day with 240 4th grade students and their teachers. Approximately 600 6th grade students and their teachers from Graham and Greenlee Counties attended the Cotton Field Days event.

Current Status: This was the first Water Education Field Day in Graham County. It is hoped that this event will become an annual event.

Impacts: The special session on water education at Cotton Field Days was a new addition this year.

Lessons Learned: Require teacher and parent volunteers involvement in the field trip. A lot of information is share in a very short time so keep them active and moving through activities.

B. Cotton Field Days

Water Education: At the annual Cotton Field Days at the Safford Agricultural Center, a session on water resource education is taught. In each session, the importance of water to all forms of life is stressed. The groundwater flow model was used to demonstrate how pollutants move into and through our groundwater. Potential sources of contamination were discussed, from common chemicals around the house, to animals and factories. Students left with a Water Wise Yard Audit containing many useful facts and tips on where water usage outside the home could be decreased.

Audience: The Cotton Field Day started as a program for the Safford School 6th grade, but quickly expanded to the other schools in the valley. It has grown to include schools from Bonita, Fort Thomas, Morenci and a local charter school. The 2000 event was attended by approximately 600 students, and their teachers, from Graham and Greenlee Counties.

Current Status: Cotton Field Day began as Ag in the Classroom in 1985. It switched to a cotton emphasis in about 1989 and has been an annual event ever since. Since its inception there has always been a water education component to the Cotton Field Day.

Impacts: Students learn about an important agricultural crop to the state of Arizona. They also learn how water resources affect and are affected by agriculture.

Lessons Learned: When conducting outdoor education it helps to be flexible enough to change course if one lesson doesn't seem to be working with a particular class.

Curriculum/supplies list: Contact Carol Willis

For a full description of the excellent water education activities done at these special events see the Attachments for Graham County: Water Education Field Day and Cotton Field Days.