For several years Rex Rabine, an Economics teacher at Turlock High School, has used our video, AVision and a Legacy, to demonstrate a practical example of basic economics’ concepts of scarcity of resources, choices, and

opportunity costs.  Mr. Rabine has developed curriculum that fulfills many of the “California Content Standards for Economics” while also giving the students an unprecedented opportunity to experience local government.  Read Mr. Rabin’s comments.

The Farmland Working Group can provide our videos, curriculum and speakers for teachers who want to participate in the High School Program  If you are interested, please contact Denny Jackman at (209) 247-2503 or write to us at P.O. Box 948, Turlock, CA 95381

Comments by Rex Rabine, Economics teachr at Turlock High School:




For several years I searched for a project that would demonstrate to my students a practical example of the basic economic concepts of scarcity of resources, choices, and opportunity costs. I wanted an example that would be local and incorporate knowledge and research on how our own community works. When I previewed the video, A Vision and a Legacy, I knew I had the perfect project.
[“A Vision and a Legacy“ is a 16 minute VHS video by FWG, available at no cost. It is about the unique farmland in the Central Valley and the threat of urbanization.]

Four years ago Turlock was expanding rapidly to the north approaching Taylor road. Using this rapid growth as a springboard, I developed a project to heighten their interest in growth issues. I asked my students to make adjustments to our general plan in order to accommodate a large area for incorporation north of Taylor Road.

I got a great response from the students. They became very involved and worked hard to research and support their views. A majority of students supported limiting growth and said “No!” to the proposed city expansion. They researched the benefits but emphasized the costs of such decisions to our community. Other students worked to support the inclusion of the proposal. The students were sometimes surprised how influences and pressures impacted their decisions. Year after year there continues to be a high level of interest in this project.

As an introduction to this project the students view “A Vision and a Legacy”. The video is helpful with its many facts. Many of the facts are used as main points in the student’s finished papers.
There is a lot of excitement on the day of open debate and voting. The project has become particularly relevant now that the Mayor of Turlock is calling for defined boundaries, changeable only by voters. Many of my students would like to be involved in this process. We are looking forward to the City Council meetings where growth will be debated.

This project fulfills many of the “California Content Standards for Economics.” Below, I have listed a few of the specific standards. It also gives the students an unprecedented opportunity to experience local government. Most students have supported smart
and managed growth, setting urban limits and “sticking to the long-term goals of the general plan.”

Objectives from standards:

12.1.1 Understand the causal relationship between scarcity and the need for choices.
12.1.2 Explain opportunity cost, marginal benefit and marginal cost.
12.3.1 Explain the role of government in defining and enforcing property rights.