LIVE OAK, FLA., Nov. 6, 2017 – A sorghum field turned maze is
providing learning opportunities for Branford High School FFA students on the
use and benefits of geographic mapping technologies and their uses throughout
the Suwannee River Water Management District (District). The District worked
with students to format, map and create a jack-o-lantern-themed sorghum maze
using geographic information systems (GIS) and geographic position systems (GPS)
technologies.
“Educating young minds on the benefits of precision agricultural
technology cultivates a mindset of conservation at an early age,” said Hugh
Thomas, Executive Director for the District. “Showcasing the opportunities to
use the sorghum for more than just feed (its typical use) and create a
value-added feature (like the maze) encourages stewardship and ingenuity as
well.”
For the past seven years, District staff have worked with students
to illustrate the general functions and applications of GIS technology, as well
as the process of transferring paper design to project implementation. Students
then create the maze design themselves and work with District staff to convert
the information into points, lines and spatial locations that can be mapped
using GIS software. Once designed and plotted, a mower is used to create the
maze.
“We look forward to this project every fall,” said Paul Buchanan,
GIS Manager for the District. “Seeing the students’ maze designs and helping
bring those to life is very rewarding.”
The District has had a long-standing relationship working with
Branford High School FFA. The land used for growing the sorghum was leased to
the high school from the District for a number of years and was later conveyed
to the school board in December 2015.
“These students are helping grow the use of technology for
precision agricultural practices in our community,” said Joel Carnow, GIS
Analyst II. “The knowledge they are gaining will continue to support the
Suwannee Valley as a leader in agricultural technology for water and nutrient
conservation.”
GIS technology is used in a variety of ways to support the
District’s mission including mapping critical natural resources, improving
nutrient and water application for producers, mapping flood and topographical
information and more. To encourage efficient technologies in schools, the
District provides grants up to $2,000 to area high schools for projects in water
and fertilizer application efficiency which helps improve water quality and
reduce water use.
For more information on the District’s grant opportunities, visit
www.mysuwanneeriver.com, search “Grants” or call 386.362.1001.
The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to
protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support
natural systems and the needs of the public. The District holds true to the
belief of water for nature, water for people. Headquartered in Live Oak,
Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties.
For more
information about the District, visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com
or follow us on Facebook and Twitter, search @SRWMD.
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