provided by Research Papers in Economics
Educational Activities in Tennessee on
Water Use and Control—Agricultural Phases
Bγ D. M. Thorpe
The major portion of the educational work on water use and
control in Tennessee during recent years has been in connection
with: (1) TVA programs initiated in 1934, and (2) recent interest
in state water use and control legislation. Educational activities asso-
ciated with TVA programs illustrate procedures developed by the
Authority and cooperating agencies under established legislation in
designing and executing operating programs jointly with affected
citizen groups. Work in connection with state water control legisla-
tion illustrates educational effort prior to formulation of legislation.
GENERAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS AFFECTING LOCAL AREAS
TVA has consistently followed a policy of collaboration with
established agencies in programs of mutual interest, rather than that
of setting up independent programs of its own. Under this policy
TVA has utilized the educational services of the College of Agricul-
ture of the University of Tennessee under contractual arrangements
whereby the college has been provided with additional personnel to
work on problems of water use and control. In this way the regular
program of the Extension Service has been broadened to include
activities to deal with problems stemming from TVA programs and
to make effective use of new facilities provided by TVA.
Educational work in water use and control by the Agricultural
Extension Service in cooperation with TVA has been concerned with
three interrelated TVA activities: (1) acquisition of land for reser-
voir purposes on the Tennessee River and major tributaries, (2) soil
and water conservation on the land in the Tennessee River water-
shed, and (3) problems of small watersheds.
Among the problems created by TVA land acquisition were per-
manent removal of agricultural land by flooding; relocation of fam-
ilies and the problems of their readjustment in different farming
areas; relocation of roads, railroads, and towns; and substantial loss
of agricultural income in reservoir counties. The construction of 14
dams and the flooding of reservoirs was a serious problem to those
families and communities directly concerned. Major decisions affect-
ing their welfare for years ahead had to be made. Educational work
by the College was directed toward assisting groups and families in
understanding general policy and making rational decisions with
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