Agriculture & Society Intro to Ag Ms. Senff

Mind-Moover  What are some common misconceptions about agriculture? What are some common misconceptions about agriculture? What are some common misconceptions about agriculture?  What are some agricultural “by-products?” What are some agricultural “by-products?” What are some agricultural “by-products?”  Y Y Y  Unit Objectives:  SWBAT evaluate the relationship between agriculture and society and identify common agricultural misconceptions  SWBAT participate in a game of charades to help identify common agricultural by-products.  SWBAT perform a taste test relating to organic vs. conventional foods.

Agriculture & Society  Farming or ranching is more than a lifestyle; it is a business as well.  Agriculture is a special business which is subject to some unique trends and changes in society in addition to many of the same market forces which other businesses must deal with. 

Agriculture’s Past…  Agriculture has changed dramatically in the last 100 years.  Food and fiber productivity soared due to new technologies, increased chemical use, specialization and government policies that favored maximizing production.  These changes allowed fewer farmers with reduced labor demands to produce the majority of the food and fiber in the U.S.

 While a large population to feed assures farmers of a market for their goods, there are some problems associated with growing and shifting populations.

Population Growth & Movement  People in growing urban and suburban areas compete with farmers for resources such as land and water.  Land which is good for farming is often also suitable for building on.  City and suburb residents can afford to pay more for the water they use than can most farmers.  How do you think this type of growth has affected the city of Brentwood?

Social Changes  Recent changes in social and cultural values and the resulting legislation have posed new challenges for agriculturalists.  Examples include:  Controversial GMO use on crops  Organic vs. conventional crops  Treatment of animals bound for slaughter  Animal housing and welfare requirements  Supporting local farmers

Agriculture & Health Awareness  Heightened awareness and concern for the environment has bought many traditional farming practices under scrutiny.  Legislation regarding use of foreign workers has affected the labor market which agriculture producers must deal with  The health awareness trends have cut down consumer consumption of beef, pork, wine and many processed meats.  Correspondingly poultry and fresh vegetable sales have increased dramatically.

Sustainable Agriculture  Sustainable agriculture is the production of food, fiber, or other plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare.  Examples:  Crop rotation  Cover crops  Soil enrichment  Natural pest predators

Agriculture & Technology Technical Advances – New Technology solves many problems for the farmer, but in the process can create new ones. a.Labor-saving harvest machinery can speed harvest and save on labor costs, but the high capital outlay often required and backlash from labor organizations can pose problems from growers. b.Computerized production processes can improve the efficiency of a farm, but the need from more technically competent labor and highly trained maintenance personal makes the farmer less independent.

Meat and Vegetables are not all we get from Agriculture!!!  Agriculture provides us with many different products that we use in our ever day life!!  To discover a few of those By-Products, lets play Pictionary!  DIRECTIONS: 1. Each Student will get a piece of paper with an agriculture By-Product on it. 2. Without talking, you must try to get your group members to guess your object.

By- Product Bingo

Organic Vs. Conventional  What’s your definition??  Organic food products = produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water.  Organic food products = produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water.  Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.  Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.  Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.  Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.

Organic Vs. Conventional  Conventional Foods do not have to adhere to the same standards as foods that are certified organic. However, they have their own set of standards set forth by the USDA.  There is no evidence that organically produced food is any safer, or more nutritious than its conventionally produced counterpart.  UN5Yx4

The Lingo Regarding Eggs…  All Natural - The hens eat vegetarian feed, with no animal slaughterhouse products.  Cage-Free - Hens must live in an open space, not a cage or a coop, but the "open space" can be inside a crowded henhouse. Both organic and conventional hens can be cage-free.  Free-Range - Similar to cage-free, except that birds have some degree of outdoor access—though the amount, duration, or quality of that outdoor time is not specified.  Pasture-Raised - Hens are allowed to range on fresh pasture. Often they are housed in trailers that can be towed to different fields.  Organic - Hens must be given organic feed, which contains no toxic pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides and no GMOs or slaughterhouse by-products. They must never be caged, and they must have outdoor access. The USDA certifies this designation.

Get Egg-Cited!  Free Range vs. Organic vs. Conventional food product test!!  Different eggs are available for you to observe… and, eventually eat!  Perform the “Pre-Lab” FIRST. Then we will test!  When finished testing, complete the “Post-Lab” questions, then we will share results!

Scientific Method