If a healthy soil is full of death, it is also full of life:
worms, fungi, microorganisms of all kinds ...
Given only the health of the soil, nothing that dies is dead for very long.
- Wendell Berry, The Unsettling of America, 1977
The Composting Series
The following two DVDs provide a comprehensive instruction to the science and ecology of composting. Start with an overview of the many organisms which make up the soil environment. Explore the wide array of micro and macro-organisms which work to break down  organic matter. Learn how to design, implement, and operate effective compost systems. 106 minutes of programming on two DVD disks
The Composing Series
Get the two composting programs listed below, plus Soil Biology listed here and save $60. This set includes a FREE DVD Player.
$333 - 
Part 1 - The Science of Biological Decomposition: Effective Composting Methods
Start on the microscopic level to see the wide array of micro and macro-organisms which break down organic matter. See how to create compost and explore its water and nutrient holding capacity. Learn the basics of aerobic hot composting & how to create a good C:C (brown:green) ratio when layering. Also, see how to implement proper watering rates and how to use a thermometer to determine the pile's mesophyllic/thermophilic cycle. This shows when to turn the pile or windrow. Other methods shown include sheet, pit and worm composting. This program is very popular for teaching what compost is and how it can be effectively produced. 33 minutes.
Part 2 - Integrated Compost Systems
See how to design, implement and operate effective compost systems. Visit a renowned agricultural compost operator, a worm farm operator, a landscape manager who composts all of the organic matter at a golf and town home retirement community, a yard waste recycling specialist who coordinates a city-wide compost system, a landfill manager who runs a huge windrow operation, and a university compost manager who integrates food waste, yard waste and farm waste. DVD 33 minutes.
$119.00 -
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance,
the wise grows it under his feet.
- James Oppenheim
The Soil Science Series
This three-program set has been one of our most popular products for a reason - you cannot find a more comprehensive, better designed series of videos to introduce your students to the foundational concepts of soil science. This series should be part of every agriculture classroom and school library's media collection.
Order all three DVDs listed below and savd $60 off the individual prices. This kit includea a FREE DVD Player.
$333.00 -
Part 1 - Introduction to Soil Science: Soil Forming Factors
This insightful video introduces students to the forces and factors that influence soil development. Filled with beautiful and interesting examples, see the various parent material soil types. Learn details about Residual, Cumulose and Transported soils. Students will understand the definitions of Alluvial, Eollan, Glacial and Colluvial. Then explore the other soil forming factors: climate, topography, the biosphere and time, and their accumulative effects on soil development. Included are exciting aerials views of glaciers, in addition to scenes of deserts, valleys, mountains, estuaries and a myriad of other locations. This blend of visual and narrative information has a great impact on students' grasp of this complex subject. 25 minutes
$119.00 -
Part 2 - The Properties of Soil
Understanding the physical properties of soil leads to better informed management decisions by many people including farmers, landscapers, civil engineers, architects, land use planners & resource specialists. By knowing the properties of our soils we can make better decisions about its use and conservation. In this video we cover the physical properties of soil texture, structure, water, slope, depth & color. Viewers learn how soil is formed as we explore the five soil forming factors of climate, organisms, parent materials, topography and time. Types of rocks and how they are formed are covered. Beautiful videography & relevant examples make this video a pleasure to watch as students learn about the properties of soil. This program won a Telly Award! 24 minutes
$119.00 -
Part 3 - Soil Biology
This program is loaded with information on the many organisms which make up the soils environment. From easily visible earthworms to microscopic bacteria, discover valuable information on the roles and interactions of the soil's flora and fauna. See how soil biology relates to soil horizons, porosity, water holding capacity and other physical properties of soil.
While soil fertility is often measured by a soil's chemical, mineral and organic matter content, new research is presented on how the many species of mesofauna can be extracted from the soil and then used as indicators of soil fertility. Examine soil pests as well as beneficial life forms found in the soil. Also see human attitudes towards soil organisms and learn how opinions can develop which are not always based on science. Clear narration, effective use of graphics and fascinating microphotography bring into focus the many life forms in the soil of our farms and landscapes. 24 minutes.
$155 -
How Water Moves though Soil DVD
Presents basic concepts of soil and water science, by using time-lapse video in a series of laboratory demonstrations, plus video of various soil conditions in nature. Concepts presented include soil types and textures, capillary and gravitational movement of water through soils, soil's water holding capacity, stratified soils and multi-directional flow of water through soils. Ideal for students or people working with agricultural fields, golf courses, parks, landscapes, athletic fields, wetlands or landfills.
Length: 30 minutes © 1994
$119.00 - 
Introduction to Land Judging DVD
Shot on location at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, this exciting video introduces viewers, via in-the-field judging, to the basics of land judging. Dr. Clyde Stahnke discusses land judging, land treatment, determination, surface texture, slope, depth of soil, and land permeability. Contest scoring procedures are also addressed. Supplement included. 37 min.
Introduction to Land Judging DVD $119.00
FFA Land Judging Manual Booklet
This is the 5th edition of the Land Judging Manual that is used for all land judging contests in California. This manual provides a means by which students can record their observations and interpret soils for land use and management. Among many topics, it covers: surface and subsoil features, interpretations, erosion, topography, land capability classes, and land management needs.
Length: 30 minutes © 1994
FFA Land Judging Manual Booklet $17.99
Practice Land Judging I DVD
Viewers of this practical video will gain valuable experience in land judging. Two plots of land are presented for evaluation, followed by an official key of major land class factors and correct treatments provided by Dr. Stahnke. 33 min.
Practice Land Judging I DVD $89.95
Practice Land Judging II DVD
Additional practice for viewers wishing to further hone their land judging skills is provided on this video. Two different plots of land are presented for evaluation, followed by an official key of major land class factors and correct treatments. 36 min
Practice Land Judging II DVD $89.95
How Chemicals Moves though Soil DVD
Ideal for viewers concerned with water quality and other groundwater issues. This video looks closely at how chemicals move through various soil types and conditions, especially chemicals carried by water. Concepts presented include chemical transport (diffusion, convection and hydrodynamic dispersion) ... Chemical interactions (adsorption, absorption, desorption, cation exchange) ... and chemical transformations (hydrolysis, photolysis, oxidation and reduction) as they occur in soil. Computer models actively demonstrate comparisons of different chemicals as they move through soil. Excellent for students and people working with agriculture, golf courses, parks, landscaping, athletic fields, wetlands or landfills.
Length: 30 minutes © 1998
$119.00 -
Rocks, Minerals and Soils DVD
This in-depth look at our planet’s rocks, minerals, and soils includes these segments: The Theory of Uniformitarianism, which considers what can be learned about the past by studying the present; The Three Main types of Rocks and how they are formed; The Rock Cycle, which examines how rocks are continually changing; Rocks, Fossils, and Fossil Fuels, which investigates how fossil fuels are formed and the impact that burning them has on the environment; Minerals, which explores the different types of minerals and their properties; Soil, which shows how soil is formed and what determines its quality for farming. 30 min.
Rocks, Minerals and Soils DVD $89.95
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