West Hills College Coalinga

Agenda Routing Form

Check the appropriate box, fill in name and date.

Originating Faculty
Name: C. Cowden
Course Packet has been reviewed and approved for Curriculum Agenda / Date: 4/6/09
Comments:
Curriculum Committee Representative
Name: C. Cowden
Course Packet has been reviewed and approved for Curriculum Agenda / Date: 4/6/09
Comments:
Technical Review Committee (TRC)
Name: C. Cowden
Course Packet has been reviewed and approved for Curriculum Agenda / Date: 4/8/09
Comments:
Chief Instructional Officer (CIO)
Name:
Course Packet has been reviewed and approved for Curriculum Agenda / Date:
Comments:

West Hills College Coalinga

New Course Packet

Course Prefix, Number & Title: AET 21 - Ag-Irrigation Management

Faculty Originator: C. Cowden

Date: 4/6/09

Checklist:

New Course Proposal Form
Course Outline
Distance Education Statement
Learning Resources Statement
Adopted Textbook Form
Prerequisite Form A
Prerequisite Form B
Prerequisite Form C
Limitations on Enrollment Justification

Signatures:

______Date______
Originating Faculty (required) / ______Date______
Articulation Officer (required if transferable)
______Date______
Curriculum Instructional Area Representative (required) / ______Date______
Dean of Learning Resources
______Date______
Dean of Student Learning (required)
______Date______
College Curriculum Committee Chair (approved) / Date______
West Hills Community College District Board of Trustees (approved)

This curriculum packet has been discussed with faculty in the Instructional Area
NEW COURSE PROPOSAL

West Hills College Coalinga

Faculty Originator: / C. Cowden / Instructional Area: / AG/BUS/CIS/CWEE / Date: / 4/6/09

To Be Completed by initiating faculty member

Exact catalog listing:

Course Prefix & Number: / AET 21
Course Title: / Ag-Irrigation Management
Units: 3
Semester Lecture Hours: / 36 / Semester Lab Hours: / 54

Transferability (attach evidence):

CSU: / UC: / Private:
1. Yes / No / Is the course part of a new major? If so, explain. Yes as an elective for the proposed Agricultural Engineering Technology Program.
2. Yes / No / Is the course intended for transfer? (Check all that apply.)

(See the Articulation Officer.)

Elective / General Education / Major Requirement

(Submit requests for General Education separately.)

3. Yes / No / Is the course part of the Associate Degree? Proposed AET
Elective / General Education / Major Requirement
4. Yes / No / Is the course part of a Certificate Program? If so, state the certificate:

Propose Irrigation Technology

5. Yes / No / Is the course vocational?
6. Yes / No / Has an advisory committee been involved? Attach minutes.

7. Room Space Requirements: (Consider # of stations, safety regulations prescribed by law, etc.)

8. Staffing Implications: (As a result, what other course may not be offered?)

9. Equipment Requirements:

10. Learning Resources: (Will this course require special collections or additions to current holdings?) / no
11. Estimated Costs: Start Up: Staffing: / $ 4680 / Supplies: / $ / Equipment: / $
On-Going: Staffing: / $ 4680 / Supplies: / $ / Equipment: / $
12. Material Fees: / $ Justification
13. Yes / No / Is special funding available?
14. Yes / No / Evidence of meeting needs of District ethnic demographics?
15. Yes / No / Are there special safety regulations. If so, explain.
16. Yes / No / Requires additional Information Technology Services resources. If so, explain.

COURSE OUTLINE

West Hills College Coalinga

Date: 4/6/09

Instructional Area: / AG/BUS/CIS/CWEE
Course Prefix & Number: / AET 21
Course Title: / Ag-Irrigation Management
Units: / 3
Grading option (select one): / Standard Grading / Credit/No Credit
Standard Grading/Credit/No Credit
Materials Fee / $ / Justification:
Semester Lecture Hours: / 36 / Semester Lab Hours: / 54
How many times may this course be taken for credit? (repeatability) 1

1. PREREQUISITE(S): None

and/or

ADVISORY(S):

2. CATALOG DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to teach the principles of irrigation system management for dealers, regulators and farmers (or those interested in those areas). Topics such as surface irrigation methods (furrow and border strip) and pressurized systems (micro and sprinklers) are covered. Students will learn when and how much to irrigate; includes sections on evapotranspiration and crop coefficients, practical irrigation scheduling techniques, how irrigation efficiency and uniformity influence irrigation scheduling, and salinity effects. This course aligns with the Irrigation Association’s Certified Irrigation Specialist Program. (CAIS).

3. INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES (Use measurable outcomes only-course that allow

repeatability must specify objectives for each time the course can be repeated):

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:

A.  describe soils moisture tension terms and their unit of measure.

B.  calculate the available water for given soil textures and rootzone depths.

C.  determine crop ET using crop coefficients and reference ET data.

D.  define beneficial uses of irrigation water.

E.  calculate leaching requirement for given agricultural constraints.

4. COURSE CONTENT AND SCOPE (Instructional topics or units):

A.  Lecture

1.  Soil, Plant, and Water Relationships

a.  Water Storage

b.  Basic Truths of Soil/Plant/Water

c.  Soil Intake (Infiltration) Rates

d.  Soil Water Terminology

2.  Practical considerations regarding soil, plant and water relationships

3.  Irrigation Scheduling

a.  Review of Terms

b.  Various Techniques for Predicting When to Irrigate and How Much

4.  Efficiency in Irrigation

a.  Introduction to Irrigation

b.  Controversy and Confusion

c.  Spray and Evaporation Losses

d.  Water Destination Diagrams

e.  DU is Not a Measure of Efficiency

f.  Other Aspects of Efficiency

g.  Irrigation Pumping Costs

5.  Salinity

a.  General

b.  Germination/Transplant Salinity

c.  Reclamation Irrigations

d.  Salinity of the Irrigation Water

6.  Drainage

a.  Introduction

b.  Surface Drainage

c.  Subsurface Drainage

7.  Constraints on Irrigation Scheduling

a.  Center Pivot, Linear Move

b.  Drip Irrigation, Micro-Spray, Under-Tree Sprinklers

c.  Hand-Move Sprinklers

d.  Sloping Furrows and Border Strips

8.  Irrigation Performance Measures

a.  Efficiency

b.  Uniformity

9.  Irrigation Systems and System Selection

a.  Surface Irrigation

b.  Sprinkler Irrigation

c.  Microirrigation Systems

d.  Irrigation System Selection

B.  Laboratory

1.  Soil, Plant, and Water Relationships

a.  Determining Soil Moisture Depletion and Content

2.  Practical considerations regarding soil, plant and water relationships

3.  Irrigation Scheduling

4.  Efficiency in Irrigation

a.  Determining Application Efficiency

b.  Determining Distribution Uniformity

c.  Water Destination Diagrams

5.  Salinity

a.  Calculating Reclamation Irrigations

6.  Drainage

a.  Designing Drainage Systems

7.  Constraints on Irrigation Scheduling

a.  Center Pivot, Linear Move

b.  Drip Irrigation, Micro-Spray, Under-Tree Sprinklers

c.  Hand-Move Sprinklers

d.  Sloping Furrows and Border Strips

8.  Irrigation Systems and System Selection

a.  Surface Irrigation

b.  Sprinkler Irrigation

c.  Microirrigation Systems

d.  Irrigation System Selection

5. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGIES (instructor initiated learning strategies):

A.  Hands On experience

B.  Lecture

C.  Demonstrations

6. MULTIPLE METHODS OF EVALUATION (measurements of student achievement):

A.  Unit exams consisting of objective and essay type questions

B.  Quizzes

C.  Classroom discussion and participation

D.  Oral presentations

E.  Graded problem solving sets

F.  Laboratory skill demonstrations

G.  Written assignments

7. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS/PROFICIENCY DEMONSTRATION:

A.  Students will be given exams that include essay questions.

B.  Students will be required to demonstrate laboratory skills.

8. ASSIGNMENTS THAT DEMONSTRATE CRITICAL THINKING

(use detail when describing student assignments and state in cognitive terms):

A.  Cooperative group learning

1. inquiry – actively thinking about what is being presented

2. explanation of what one knows – explainer tests their knowledge

3. listener – questions and challenges their own understanding

9. ASSIGNMENTS, METHODOLOGIES, OR OTHER EXAMPLES OF HOW CULTURAL

PLURALISM IS ADDRESSED:

Irrigation is managed differently in different regions of the world. Instructor will open discussions and assignments will introduce specific issues of cultural diversity and include examples of how irrigation scheduling differs in other cultures and the agronomic constraints faced in those regions.

10. REQUIRED EXTRA CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:

Three, eight-hour, field trips, during times other than designated class time, are required.


LIBRARY/LEARNING RESOURCES STATEMENT

West Hills College Coalinga

Course Prefix, Number & Title: / AET 21 Ag-Irrigation Management
Instructional Area: / AG/BUS/CIS
Faculty Originator: / C. Cowden / Date: / 4/6/09

The holdings of the L/LRC collection in the subject area(s) related to the proposed new/revised course/discipline have been reviewed.

The L/LRC has sufficient resources presently available for support of this course/discipline in the following areas:

Books

Reference Materials

Media

Electronic Resources

Additional items have been recommended for purchase for support in this course/discipline in the following areas:

Books

Reference Materials

Media

Electronic Resources

Comments:

Signature:

______Date______

Librarian (required)

ADOPTED TEXTBOOK FORM

West Hills College Coalinga

Course Prefix, Number & Title: / AET 21 Ag-Irrigation Management / Instructional Area: / AG/BUS/CIS/CWEE
Faculty Originator: / C. Cowden / Date: / 4/6/09

1. Recommended textbooks: All transfer-level courses require 11-12th grade level or above.

A. Title: / Ag-Irrigation Management
Edition: / ISBN #:
Author(s): / Burt, Charles
Publisher: / Irrigation Training And Research Center
Required / Optional
Readability level: / 11.3 / (Attach readability materials to original.)
B. Title:
Edition: / ISBN #:
Author(s):
Publisher:
Required / Optional
Readability level: / (Attach readability materials to original.)

2. Supplemental text(s):

A. Title:
Edition: / ISBN #:
Author(s):
Publisher:
Required / Optional
Readability level: / (Attach readability materials to original.)


Readability

Page 1-14

This is the soil moisture content at which plants begin to irreversibly wilt; in other words, the practical lower limit of plant-usable water in the soil. The soil water tension is from -1000 to -2000 kPa, depending upon the water use rates, plant type, root density, etc. It is not important to know if the correct value is precisely -2000 bars or -1000 kPa because there is generally very little change is soil water between those two values. For medium to heavy textured soils, considerable water will remain in the soil at Permanent Wilting Point, but that water will be unavailable for plant use because it is held so tightly by the soil.

Page 3-8

The Penman Equation was originally developed by Penman, and in one form or another is the most popular and complete program for estimation of a REFERENCE CROP ET. A modification, called the Penman-Monteith program, is now the most popular equation used. It has been tested and calibrated at sites around the world for accuracy. It is tested by (1) collecting daily or hourly weather data and inserting the data into the equation, and then comparing the result with (2) actual soil moisture depletion values measured daily form a reference crop. The surrounding area is also planted with the reference crop.

Page 5-13

The soil solution (soil water) contains both cations and ions (i.e. salts). The figure shows that there is a constant equilibrium between the cations in the soil solution and the cations on the cation exchange capacity (CEC). The amount of cations on the CEC is constant; the ratios of the cations on the CEC depend on the rations of cations in the soil water solution. For example, if the soil solution has a high percentage of sodium (Na), then the CEC will have a high percentage of Na. “ECsw” and “ECe” are measures of the amount of salt in soil water solution, and are not related to the CEC. “ESP” (Exchangeable Sodium Percentage) is a measure of the percentage of charges on the CEC that are occupied by Sodium.


Farm of the Future

Advisory Meeting Minutes

Irrigation Technology

April 16, 2009

The Irrigation Technology Advisory Committee met in FF404 at the Farm of the Future in Coalinga, California.

Members Present

Dominic Rossini – Eurodrip

Linda Lahondey – Lemoore Chamber of Commerce

Jamie Anthony – Coalinga High School

Kerri Birdwell – Cal Poly, SLO

Mike Dow – Helena Chemical

Rod Haarberg – Topcon Positioning

Wade Cook – Topcon Positioning

Nick Sumonium – CSUF

Balaji Sethuramasamyraja – CSUF

Randy Grumbles – WHC Student

Mike Howard – Chico State

Kurt Quade – Quade Consulting

Robert Nielsen – USDA – Agricultural Engineer

Tim Stone – Integro

Jack Ramsey – WHC

Robert Blattler – T-Tape

Arturo Carvajal – NRCS – Water Specialist

Rick Peeren – Irrichem

Clint Cowden

Joy Cowden

WELCOME

Clint Cowden thanked everyone for coming and stated the importance of their involvement in the committee. He stressed the importance of the committee and how far the college has improved.

INTRODUCTIONS

Clint Cowden made introductions around the table.

PROGRESS REPORT

Clint Cowden gave an overall update about the Farm of the Future.

CURRICULUM

From industry advice we are creating and Irrigation Technology certificate program. We would like approval for the following courses.

Kerri Birdwell moved motion to approve course AET 21.

Mike Howard and Tim Stone second.

Motion approved.

Mike Dow moved motion to approve course AET 22.

Kurt and Jamie second.

Motion approved.

Mike Howard moved motion to approve course AET 23.

Kerri Birdwell and Kurt Quade second.

Motion passed.

Kurt Quade and Randy Grumbles moved motion to approve course AET 24.

Tim Stone and Wade Cook second.

Motion passed.

Kerri Birdwell moved motion to approve Irrigation Technology certificate.

Kurt Quade and Time Stone second

Motion passed.

Our goal is to prepare students for the Irrigation Association’s Certified Irrigation Designer Certification. Students will be able to take additional courses to obtain an Agricultural Engineering Technology Associate Degree with an emphasis in Irrigation Technology.

COMMENTS

Linda Lahodney suggested adding college information to all Farm Bureau websites and recruit through growers.

Rick Pereen suggested recruiting students aged 21-22, more focused.

Wade suggested contacting the local VA’s to recruit veterans.

Clint adjourned meeting