Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

How long will this exercise take?
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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for Organic Vegetable Production
• Thirty minutes to one hour for field walks, observations, interaction with farmers on possible
earthworm habitats in vegetable area (e.g., dry and shaded, moist and shaded, moist grassy area,
or uncultivated moist area);
• Thirty minutes to one hour hands-on in learning field for setting up of study;
• Thirty minutes to one hour for brainstorming session in processing area; and
• This exercise will require 2-3 weeks for making observations.
learning objectives
• To create awareness and understanding among participants on some important role of
earthworms in improving soil fertility and productivity for organic vegetable farming; and
• To learn from others and set-up studies to learn some important role of earthworms in
improving soil fertility and productivity for organic vegetable farming.
materials
• Office and field supplies (e.g., Manila papers, notebooks, ball pens, marking pens, crayons);
• Shovel or spading fork, dark cloth, string or rubber band, bean seeds;
• Soils from where earthworms are found in learning and adjoining fields;
• Clay, sand, loam, plant debris (e.g. leaves, cut up stems), water; and
• Earthworms (2-3 pieces), soil from where earthworms are found.
methodology
• Field walks, hands-on, and brainstorming
steps
1. Divide participants in small groups and ask them to conduct field walks and observe presence
of earthworms in vegetable area of learning and adjoining fields. Interview other farmers and
list down all observations. Guide small groups to do following:
5 Dig earthworms from around vegetable area of learning and adjoining fields;
5 Make some very small holes on the sides of bottles near top for ventilation and slight larger
ones at bottom for drainage;