Troubled Waters: A Mississippi River Story

Gr 9 Up—This environmental documentary seeks to educate its viewers about the ecological dangers posed by non-sustainable farming in the Mississippi River watershed. Beginning with the mouth of the Mississippi in the Gulf of Mexico, viewers learn how the runoff of nitrates from chemical fertilizers has created "dead zones" of depleted marine life, impacting the livelihoods of fishermen. The focus shifts north to Lake Pepin, where soil erosion is adding sediment at an alarming 10 times the normal rate, which may cause this body of water to disappear in a few centuries. Interviews with farmers and agricultural tech specialists illuminate issues with the Federal Farm Bill, which rewards growing commodity crops that may harm the environment, instead of more sustainable and diverse crops. While many farmers suggest going back to more natural methods, cutting-edge farming techniques are also discussed as possible solutions, including precision agriculture, which uses GPS to plant and deliver fertilizer more accurately. The production utilizes computer animation to illustrate concepts, and it supports its position through interviews with farmers, scientists, and others, including the mayor of Minneapolis, who reminds viewers that even lawn fertilizers affect the health of the watershed. This glimpse into the agriculture business should provide food for thought in many classrooms.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY