1. Agriculture and Human Needs
Ag Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow
AFNR-BAS-4: Recognize how agriculture meets human needs today, in the past, and for the future.

2. Basic Human Needs and Sources
agriculture is the source for the three basic things humans need to survive:
Food: meat, milk, eggs, fruit, vegetables, oil, butter, etc.
Clothing: leather, cotton, wool, silk, even synthetics
Shelter: lumber, plastics, insulation, carpeting
We also get medicines, household items, and some forms of fuel/energy from agriculture.

3. Agriculture is…
Agriculture is the science and management of the natural organisms that produce food, fiber, and other resources for human use.
includes the study of growing, managing, and harvesting of plants and animals for use by people
an industry that includes not only production, but also processing, marketing, distribution, marketing, sales, and services
the largest industry in the U.S. employing over 20 million people

4. Major Areas of the Agriculture Industry
Agronomy: the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, fiber, and land reclamation (a.k.a. crop production and research)
Horticulture: the art and science of plant cultivation and management
Animal Production: the study of the biology and management of domesticated animals for human use
Aquaculture: raising aquatic species for food and other purposes

5. Major Areas of the Agriculture Industry
Agriculture Mechanics: the development and maintenance of equipment and machinery for agricultural use
Forestry and Natural Resources: the cultivation and conservation of forests, wildlife, and other natural resources
Soil Science: the study of soil and land management as it relates to use by humans
Agriscience and Biotechnology: research and innovation in methods to improve the efficiency, quality, and usefulness of agricultural products

6. Georgia’s Top 10 Agricultural Commodities
commodity: a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold
Broilers - $4.6 billion
Cotton - $1.5 billion
Peanuts - $586.4 million
Eggs - $567.9 million
Timber - $470.2 million

7. Georgia’s Top 10 Agricultural Commodities
Beef - $409.6 million
Dairy - $332.7 million
Horses - $322.4 million
Pecans - $319.5 million
Corn - $311.6 million
based on 2011 figures; data source: UGA Extension Service (

8. Imports vs. Exports
import: a commodity that is purchased from another country and shipped to the U.S.
All U.S. agricultural imports have continued to grow since 1990.
By far the largest U.S. agricultural imports are horticultural products, which have accounted for about half of all U.S. agricultural imports since 2002.
U.S. consumers benefit from imports because imports expand food variety, stabilize year-round supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables, and moderate increases in food prices.
Import examples: fruits, nuts, vegetables, nursery products, sugar, coffee, cocoaPrimary countries for imports: Canada, Mexico, and Brazil

9. Imports vs. Exports
export: a commodity that is grown in the U.S. but shipped to another country
U.S. agricultural exports have been larger than U.S. agricultural imports since 1960, generating a surplus in U.S. agricultural trade.
Export examples: bulk commodities such as wheat, corn, cotton, soybeans, and tobacco; as well as high- value products (HVP) such as meats, poultry, live animals, vegetable oils, fruits, vegetables

10. Products vs. Byproducts
product: something that is produced as the primary substance that will be sold or processed and then sold
examples: meat, milk, eggs, wool, hay, corn, soybeans, cotton, honey, peanuts, timber, flowers
byproduct: something that is made during the production or manufacture of something else and therefore is the secondary product
examples: examples: leather, down, vegetable oil, beeswax, glue, mulch

11. Thank you for learning with One Less Thing.
“We make teaching Ag easier.”