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THE NEW PARADIGM OF DRAINAGE AND WATER MANAGEMENT EDUCATION THROUGH THE VIRGIL OVERHOLT DRAINAGE SCHOOLS

Natural Resources/Aquaculture

Vinayak Shedekar
Assistant Professor
The Ohio State University
Columbus

Abstract

   Agricultural drainage\ technology has evolved significantly in the last two decades. Drainage education is key to building a workforce that is well-versed in modern drainage design, technology, and conservation drainage principles. Pre- and post-event surveys distributed during The Ohio State University’s Virgil Overholt Drainage School gathered participant feedback to assess the impact of the five-day training program during 2022 to 2025. The program utilizes a combination of printed manuals, hands-on activities, online tools, and networking opportunities to deliver 40-hours of technical drainage education. The content delivery is made by a diverse team of experts, practitioners, and working professionals. During the four-year period, the school served a diverse demographic of 210 attendees from the US-Midwest as well as other countries. Perceived knowledge of subsurface drainage concepts increased by 20-40% post-attendance, and 100% of the respondents reported that they will be able to put their new knowledge to use. Open-ended feedback provided guidance for drainage education programming decisions in subsequent years. Further, modernization of content delivery allowed for the inclusion of more advanced topics and remote speakers. We present the feedback-driven approach for revising and organizing curriculum, and how they enhance learning in Extension settings.

Authors: Vinayak Shedekar, Wm. Bruce Clevenger, Elizabeth Schwab, Justin McBride, Paul Chester, Richard Galehouse, Larry C. Brown
  1. Vinayak Shedekar Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Agricultural Water Management, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 43210
  2. Wm. Bruce Clevenger Associate Professor and Extension Field Specialist, Farm Management, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 43545
  3. Elizabeth Schwab Measurement Coordinator, Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, Iowa State University, Iowa, 50011
  4. Justin McBride H2Ohio Engineering Manager, P.E., Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio, 45814
  5. Paul Chester Owner, P.E., Chester Ag. Eng. LLC, Ohio, 45814
  6. Richard Galehouse Owner, Galehouse Drainage LLC, Ohio, 44230
  7. Larry C. Brown Professor Emeritus and Extension Specialist, The Ohio State University, Ohio, 43210