Agriculture and Society Chapter 4 Lesson 4.3

Theme Outline Lesson 4.3 Lesson 4.3 Farming MethodsFarming Methods Preparing the LandPreparing the Land Planting the LandPlanting the Land Soil EnrichmentSoil Enrichment Farms and Human NutritionFarms and Human Nutrition Food SafetyFood Safety

PA Academic Standards for Environment & Ecology Standard B Standard B Assess the influence of agricultural science on farming practices. Assess the influence of agricultural science on farming practices. Compare the practices of no-till farming to traditional soil preparation (e.g., plow, disc).Compare the practices of no-till farming to traditional soil preparation (e.g., plow, disc). Analyze and explain the various practices of nutrient management on the farm.Analyze and explain the various practices of nutrient management on the farm. Analyze and explain how farm efficiencies have changed human nutrition.Analyze and explain how farm efficiencies have changed human nutrition.

Learning Objectives Students will compare the practices of no-till farming with traditional preparation (e.g., plowing disking). Students will compare the practices of no-till farming with traditional preparation (e.g., plowing disking). Students will analyze and explain the various practices of nutrient management on farms. Students will analyze and explain the various practices of nutrient management on farms. Students will analyze and explain how farm efficiencies have changed human nutrition. Students will analyze and explain how farm efficiencies have changed human nutrition. Students will identify and describe how food safety issues have affected production in agriculture. Students will identify and describe how food safety issues have affected production in agriculture.

Farming Methods All farming methods depend on the quantity and quality of soil. All farming methods depend on the quantity and quality of soil. Soil Definition : upper layer of land surface that all growing things use for physical support, water, and nutrients Definition : upper layer of land surface that all growing things use for physical support, water, and nutrients

Soil Formation It takes 200-1,000 years to produce one inch of new soil, depending on the climate and parent rock It takes 200-1,000 years to produce one inch of new soil, depending on the climate and parent rock Soil contains microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, as well as plants, insects, and vertebrates Soil contains microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, as well as plants, insects, and vertebrates Healthy soil is vital to healthy crop production Healthy soil is vital to healthy crop production

Soil Formation Soil conservation is critical to successful agriculture. Soil conservation is critical to successful agriculture. Soil erosion involves the loss of the ability of land to support crops Soil erosion involves the loss of the ability of land to support crops Methods of erosion Methods of erosion NaturalNatural Example: wind Human activityHuman activity Example: logging Weathering Definition : slow wearing away of rocks by wind, water, and temperate fluctuations Definition : slow wearing away of rocks by wind, water, and temperate fluctuations

Preparing the Land What has to be done to the land in order to make it suitable for planting? What has to be done to the land in order to make it suitable for planting? Machinery breaks up the surface soils which readies the upper layers of soil for planting Machinery breaks up the surface soils which readies the upper layers of soil for planting Concern: surface soils are most vulnerable to erosion, thus need to be protected Concern: surface soils are most vulnerable to erosion, thus need to be protected

Preparing the Land Conservation Tillage Methods Conservation Tillage Methods Conservation TillageConservation Tillage No-till cultivationNo-till cultivation Covered surface soilsCovered surface soils

Conservation Tillage Definition : planting method in which farmers disturb surface topsoil and vegetation as little as possible Definition : planting method in which farmers disturb surface topsoil and vegetation as little as possible In ridge tillage (one kind of conservation tillage), farmers plant seeds in the valleys between carefully molded ridges of soil. The method prevents some erosion but usually requires the addition of more fertilizer.

No-till Cultivation Definition : process in which a machine drills holes in the topsoil for planting seeds without turning the soil over at all Definition : process in which a machine drills holes in the topsoil for planting seeds without turning the soil over at all On this no-till cornfield, crop residue is left on the fields after a harvest to prevent erosion and water loss. Conventional plows are nowhere to be found.

Covered Surface Soils Farmers can use leftover stubble from the previous crop to cover the soil surface between seeded areas Farmers can use leftover stubble from the previous crop to cover the soil surface between seeded areas Prevents soil erosion Prevents soil erosion Decaying material is incorporated into the existing soil Decaying material is incorporated into the existing soil (green manure)

Humus Definition : mixture of decomposed organic matter in topsoil that supplies nutrients to plants and helps retain soil moisture Definition : mixture of decomposed organic matter in topsoil that supplies nutrients to plants and helps retain soil moisture

Planting the Land The slope of the land varies by location The slope of the land varies by location Example: slope effects runoff from hillside Farmers employ various strategies to conserve the soil on their land Farmers employ various strategies to conserve the soil on their land Soil conservation methods Soil conservation methods Contour farming Strip cropping Terracing

Contour Farming Definition: farming method in which farmers plow their fields and plant crops across the slope of the land instead of up and down the slope in order to help prevent water from running downhill and taking valuable soil with it Definition: farming method in which farmers plow their fields and plant crops across the slope of the land instead of up and down the slope in order to help prevent water from running downhill and taking valuable soil with it

Strip Cropping Definition : planting method in which wide rows or strips of crops such as corn are planted alternately with rows of a grass or legume crop Definition : planting method in which wide rows or strips of crops such as corn are planted alternately with rows of a grass or legume crop

Terracing Definition: farming method in which farmers build a series of broad, flat ridges that run down a hillside like stairs Definition: farming method in which farmers build a series of broad, flat ridges that run down a hillside like stairs

Soil Enrichment Main types of fertilizers Natural fertilizersNatural fertilizers Examples: Manure, green manure, and compost Examples: Manure, green manure, and compost Artificial chemical fertilizersArtificial chemical fertilizers Increase crop yields Increase crop yields Do not add humus to the soil Do not add humus to the soil Pollution of groundwater and surface water from runoff Pollution of groundwater and surface water from runoff Examples: conventional chemical fertilizers (N-P-K) Examples: conventional chemical fertilizers (N-P-K)

Goal: Prevent losing critical soil nutrients by monitoring and maintain current soil conditions Goal: Prevent losing critical soil nutrients by monitoring and maintain current soil conditions Goal: Use a variety of soil conservation methods to conserve topsoil. Goal: Use a variety of soil conservation methods to conserve topsoil. Soil Enrichment Crop Rotation Definition : changing the crops planted in a field from year to year Definition : changing the crops planted in a field from year to year

Farms and Human Nutrition Modern farming practices have increased the amount and variety of foods produced Modern farming practices have increased the amount and variety of foods produced Example: U.S. farmers produce twice as much crops as they did in 1940

Meeting the Needs of a Growing Population Farmers have had to shift their production Farmers have had to shift their production Plant fewer crops in larger quantitiesPlant fewer crops in larger quantities Example: rice and grains Plant high-yield forms of cropsPlant high-yield forms of crops Use large quantities of fertilizersUse large quantities of fertilizers Adoption of modern farming methods in developing nationsAdoption of modern farming methods in developing nations

World Agricultural Systems Produce enough food to supply minimal nutritional requirements for the world’s current population Produce enough food to supply minimal nutritional requirements for the world’s current population Soil has a limited capacity Soil has a limited capacity Eventually, scientists fear that in order to keep pace with the amount of food needed the world’s population, environmental degradation is inevitable.

Modern Agriculture Increased the variety and quantity of foods availableIncreased the variety and quantity of foods available Potential destruction natural ecosystemsPotential destruction natural ecosystems Example: draining wetland areas Pose potential harm to wildlife populationsPose potential harm to wildlife populations Example: habitat conservation Concerns with chemical pesticide and fertilizer applicationConcerns with chemical pesticide and fertilizer application Example: synthetic chemical fertilizers pollute waterways Concerns with soil erosionConcerns with soil erosion Example: nutrient depletion from soil Energy intensiveEnergy intensive Example: requires large amounts of fossil fuels

Modern Agriculture So what have farmers done to address these concerns? Introduction of alternative farming methodsIntroduction of alternative farming methods Soil conservation practices Soil conservation practices Example: limit exposed soils to erosion Nutrient conservation practices Nutrient conservation practices Example: use of natural organic fertilizers Habitat restoration practices Habitat restoration practices Example: planting trees to prevent erosion

Food Safety Food supplies needs to be safe for human consumption. Food supplies needs to be safe for human consumption. Food-borne illnesses occur when foods are contaminated with bacteria during processing, improperly stored, or improperly handled. Food-borne illnesses occur when foods are contaminated with bacteria during processing, improperly stored, or improperly handled. Example: poultry products prepared improperly by using utensils that came in contact with raw or undercooked poultry Example: poultry products prepared improperly by using utensils that came in contact with raw or undercooked poultry

Food Safety Government regulations on food safety are shared by several government agencies Government regulations on food safety are shared by several government agencies Department of Agriculture (USDA)Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Responsibilities Responsibilities Inspect meat in slaughterhouses and processing plants Inspect meat in slaughterhouses and processing plants Grades meat and dairy products to indicate their quality Grades meat and dairy products to indicate their quality Enforces regulations to protect animals and plants from disease and pests Enforces regulations to protect animals and plants from disease and pests Conduct research Conduct research Provides educational materials to the public Provides educational materials to the public

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Responsibilities Responsibilities Ensures overall quality of food products Ensures overall quality of food products Regulates drugs and cosmetics Regulates drugs and cosmetics Oversees food packaging Oversees food packaging Regulates maintenance of sanitary conditions Regulates maintenance of sanitary conditions Administrates programs to ensure safety of dairy and shellfish Administrates programs to ensure safety of dairy and shellfish Regulates nutritional labeling Regulates nutritional labeling Conduct research Conduct research Provides educational materials to the public Provides educational materials to the public

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Responsibilities Responsibilities Regulates chemical residues on foods Regulates chemical residues on foods Regulates the use of pesticides Regulates the use of pesticides Conduct research Conduct research Provides educational materials to the public Provides educational materials to the public

The role of the consumer Simple things a consumer can do… Simple things a consumer can do… … pay attention to container dates … pay attention to container dates … ensure refrigerated and frozen items are stored appropriately … ensure refrigerated and frozen items are stored appropriately … examine packages for damaged products … examine packages for damaged products … wash all fresh fruit and vegetables … wash all fresh fruit and vegetables