Depletion of Major Groundwater Source Threatens Great Plains Farming
Ask students: Where is the Ogallala Aquifer? How much of the U.S. crops and beef are produced in the Great Plains?
In the heart of the country, Great Plains farmers and ranchers produce a quarter of all U.S. crops and 40 percent of its beef. But they rely on a resource that has been slowly drying up: water.
View the transcript of the story.
Discussion Questions
- What worries Brant Peterson most about the drying wells?
- Where is the Ogallala Aquifer?
- How much of the U.S. crops and beef are produced in the Great Plains?
- Who is Steve Compton?
- Why is the Ogallala Aquifer overdrafted, according to Peter Gleick?
Focus Questions
The episode shows us how farmers are taking “local control” to conserve water and continue to farm on their land. What do you think are the responsibilities of the local and national government in protecting water resources and our climate?
Media literacy: What would you want to hear more about to understand the water crisis for Great Plains farmers and the agriculture industry? What about non-farming or non-industry community members?
Extension Activity
Learn more about climate change and how young people have engaged with the climate crisis. Discuss: what do you think is the best way for farmers and for young people to address climate change?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
Lesson Plans on Climate Change
Explore more resources for educators to find a wide-range of relevant preK-12 lessons on climate change or supporting young people as they continue to lead the conversation around the climate change crisis.
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