Unit 1: Introduction to Agriculture

Objectives 1.1 Define terminology 1.2 Determine the impact of agriculture on Arkansas' economy. (rice, soybeans, broilers, forest products, and jobs) 1.3 List and describe the three major areas of the agricultural industry. (supplies & services, production agriculture, and marketing & processing) 1.4 Discuss changes that have come about in agriculture due to technology. (genetic engineering, GPS, and computerized equipment) 1.5 Explain the importance of agriculture in meeting human needs. (food, fiber and shelter)

1.1 Define Terms 1.Agribusiness systems -- industries including sales, services, farm & ranch management, entrepreneurship and economics 2.Agriculture -- activities concerned with the production of plants and animals and the related supplies, services, mechanics, products, processing and marketing 3.Animal systems -- industries including production animals, small animals, wildlife and research animals 4.Biotechnology systems -- the management of biological systems for the benefit of humans, including cloning, gene transfer and other technologies 5. Environmental service systems -- industries including pollution prevention, water and air quality, hazardous materials, solid waste management, health and safety sanitation

1.1 Define Terms 6.Food products & processing systems -- industries including food processing, preserving, packaging, distribution, government monitoring and regulation 7.Natural resources systems -- industries including habitat conservation, forest products, parks and recreation, mining, environmental services, fisheries and soil conservation 8.Plant systems -- industries including agronomics, horticulture, forestry, turf, viticulture and soils 9.Power, structural & technical systems -- industries including power, structures, controls, geospatial technology, computer systems, electronics, hydraulics and pneumatics

1.2 Determine the impact of agriculture on Arkansas' economy. (rice, soybeans, broilers, forest products, and jobs)

Identify where Arkansas ranks in production for the following products: CommodityPlace Rice1 st Soybeans10 th Broilers2 nd Forest Products5 th Cotton3 rd Turkeys3 rd Beef CattleNot in Top 10 HogsNot in Top 10

Top 5 Agricultural Commodities produced by the United States CommodityValue of receipts thousand $ 1.Corn51,550, Cattle and Calves48,189, Dairy Products34,772, Soybeans29,058, Broilers23,112,184

1.3 List and describe major areas of the agricultural industry 1. Production Agriculture Farmer or Cattle Rancher 2. Supplies and Services Veterinarian or Feed Company 3. Marketing and Processing Wal-Mart or Country Mart

The Four P’s of Marketing Agricultural Products Place Product Promotion Price

1.4 Discuss changes that have come about in agriculture due to technology (genetic engineering, GPS, and computerized equipment)

Think about this…. In the mid-1700s, about 90 percent of Americans were farmers. Today, roughly 2 percent of the American population is engaged in production agriculture.

Discuss the changes that have came about in Agriculture due to technology Genetic engineering is one aspect of biotechnology. Some benefits of genetically engineered or modified organisms have improved disease and insect resistance, longer shelf lives, added nutritional value, and herbicide tolerance. The purpose of a chemical fertilizer is to mimic nutrients found in plants by synthetically manufacturing them from inorganic substances.

Changes In Agriculture Improved varieties of corn were developed through hybridization. These varieties were more vigorous growing and more resistant to pests and diseases. Mechanization allowed for more work to be done in a smaller amount of time.

Changes In Agriculture Integrated Pest Management or Chemical pesticides (to control insects, diseases, and weeds) and chemical fertilizers increased yields. Precision Farming using Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and Geographic Information Systems enabled site-specific farming.

Changes In Agriculture Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances rural communities.

1.5 Explain the importance of agriculture in meeting human needs

Basic Human Needs Provided by Agriculture Food is provides the nutrition that helps the body grow, repair itself, and reproduce. Fiber is a long, threadlike structure used to make clothing and shelter. Fibers may be natural or synthetic. Shelter is housing for humans. Many products used in providing shelter are produced through forestry.

Plant and Animal Products

Review 1.1 Define terminology 1.2 Determine the impact of agriculture on Arkansas' economy. (rice, soybeans, broilers, forest products, and jobs) 1.3 List and describe the three major areas of the agricultural industry. (supplies & services, production agriculture, and marketing & processing) 1.4 Discuss changes that have come about in agriculture due to technology. (genetic engineering, GPS, and computerized equipment) 1.5 Explain the importance of agriculture in meeting human needs. (food, fiber and shelter)