December 4, 2003

Cowley soils class to teach value of land as natural resource

In Brett Butler’s soils class at Cowley County Community College, students will learn how to identify soil classifications, study soil maps, and learn how to take soil samples.

But they’ll also be taught that land is a precious commodity and needs to be protected.

“I want students to appreciate the value of land and that it’s not something that should be taken for granted,” said Butler, Cowley’s industrial-related instructor who is working to revive the college’s agriculture program. “Students will get a lot of hands-on work out in the field.”

The four-credit hour class begins Jan. 20, 2004. It will be held in Room 111 of the Walker Industrial Technology Building on Cowley’s main campus. The class will be held from 6-8:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lectures will be held Tuesdays, and labs will be Thursdays. Butler said lab periods would be flexible in that some of the time, students would conduct lab tests independently.

Butler said the course also would satisfy Kansas State University’s requirements for the course.
Butler also plans to cover the no-till versus conventional farming methods, soil management, and soil properties. He has several guest speakers lined up to lend their expertise to the class.
Persons interested in the 16-week course can enroll by contacting Butler at (620) 441-5376 or Cowley’s Admissions Office in Galle-Johnson Hall.

“Landowners can learn a lot by taking this course,” Butler said. “By understanding the different soil types and the effects of the elements (rain and wind), landowners will have a better idea of how to protect their soil. It will be a fantastic class."