The Irrigation Association has created a complete curriculum to teach third through fifth graders how irrigation works, whether it’s in their yard or on a farm.

 

Government and Public Affairs Director John Farner said they wanted to work on these efforts because it’s so important and a lot of people don’t understand irrigation.

 

“To really focus on the science behind irrigation and educating youth what irrigation is and why it’s important.”

 

Kids often learn the water cycle in elementary school about rain and where rain comes from.

 

Farner said they have released their pilot program in 10,000 schools in four states and worked with IA experts and elementary school experts to tailor the program for a young audience.

 

“You try to explain irrigation in a way that is very simplistic. You have plants that grow out of the ground and you need water. Sometimes the amount of water is not available for those plants to grow out of the ground so you need irrigation in order for them to do so.”

 

You can find out more about the curriculum at the IA website irrigation.org.

 

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail krounce@cherrycreekradio.com.

 

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