Posts Tagged: online

Soil Education

Soils perform vital functions, and are the basis of the ecosystem. Healthy and productive soil is vital for our survival. It is an amazing resource and fascinating to learn about.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a great collection of informative and inspirational soil topics. All NRCS resources are free. They include:

• Soil facts – definitions, career information, soil basics, glossary, and regulations for moving soils
• Painting with soil – Jan Lang’s images of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
• 10 key messages to understanding soils
• Find out about your state’s soil
• Links for students and teachers – available for grades K-6, 7-12, and college level
• Videos and webinars
• Dig It! The Secrets of Soil
• NRCS photo gallery – natural resource and conservation related photos from across the United States
• And more

Rural Roads Webinar Series

Rural roads are vital to rural communities, nature recreation users, and for fire and other disaster emergency response and evacuation. These roads are often located in forested and rangeland settings and may be owned and/or managed by governmental or private parties.

The UC Forest Research and Outreach website offers many wonderful resources, including the Rural Roads Webinar Series. From their website:

“Rural roads in California are associated with several environmental impacts. They have been identified as a major source of sediment production in watersheds supporting beneficial uses. They can provide the means by which exotic plants and animals and pathogens are spread into wild lands. Roads fragment the landscape and adversely affect wildlife habitat.  Vehicles traveling on rural roads are responsible for thousands of road-killed wildlife every year.”

The webinar series will provide viewers with:

• a broad overview of the environmental issues associated with rural roads in California.
• a description of the fundamental principles of rural road construction, re-construction and operations.
• a description of practices used to minimize the environmental impacts of road construction, operations and maintenance.
• review methods used for road assessment and inventory to identify problems and maintenance or re-construction or restoration needs.

Check the sitefor upcoming webinars. Previous versions have been archived on the website.

Wellnesseveryday.org

The Ventura County Health Care Agency has a wonderful new online resource intended to improve the wellbeing of our community.

From their site:

“Wellness Everyday is committed to supporting the mental, physical and social health of all individuals living within our community. By providing education, resources and information on the latest programs and projects offered within our community, we believe the Wellness of our Ventura County community can belong to each of us.”

The site is nicely designed and easy to navigate. The three main sections: mind, body, and relationships each have many suggestions and links for further resources.

Subtopics include: parenting, exercise, nutrition, creativity, resilience, sleep, and much more. There is even a section dedicated to healthy aging. 

This fabulous online resource is available in Spanish.

Start2Farm.gov

Funded through the USDA and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Start2Farm and the Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program were created in partnership with the National Agricultural Library and the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Both programs were developed to assist people those new to farming or ranching, and those who have less than 10 years of experience.

General topics of resources and programs include:

• Learn How – Develop the know-how to run your farm or ranch business
• Find Financing – Find funding opportunities to help finance your farm or ranch business
• Locate Services – Find assistance with legal and technical requirements of farming
• Get Connected – Build relationships and connect with others

While the website is a little challenging to navigate, the resources are fabulous.

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Learning Center

Dedicated to advancing innovation in sustainable agriculture, SARE has many resources and learning opportunities available. At their Learning Center website you will find links to handbooks, bulletins, online courses, fact sheets, videos, newsletters, and more. Hardcopy resources can be ordered through the SARE WebStore. All online resources are available at no cost.

Topics include:

• Animal Production
• Community Development
• Crop Production
• Economic/Marketing
• Education & Training
• Energy Conservation & Renewable Energy
• For consumers
• Integrated Systems
• Natural Resources/Environment
• Pest Management
• Quality of Life
• Soil Management
• Specialty Crops
• Value Added Products
  

  SARE has a wide assortment of free online resources designed to educate food producers and consumers.

 

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