6th -12th Grade Agriscience:
Introduction to Agriculture
EARLY AGRICULTURE
From Foraging to Farming: Students will participate in a foraging activity, gaining perspective on how scarcity of resources can affect well-being and how agriculture provides the benefit of a steady, reliable food supply. Then, they will read about hunter-gatherers and early agriculture and use maps to explore how geography affected the development of early civilizations.
MODERN AGRICULTURE
Farmland: Students will view the film Farmland, a documentary spotlighting six farmers and ranchers in the United States. The film portrays the business and lifestyle of a variety of farmers and ranchers. Perspectives on topics such as genetically modified (GMO) crops, animal welfare, organic and conventional farming practices, farm size, farming stereotypes, and more are presented.
The Role of Women in Agriculture: Students will investigate the number of female farmers globally and identify their impact on contemporary agriculture.
SOURCES/PROCESSES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
A Search for the Source (Grades 6-8): In this lesson students will learn that agriculture provides nearly all of the products we rely on in any given day by participating in a relay where they match an everyday item with its “source.”
A Search for the Source (Grades 9-12): In this lesson students will learn that agriculture provides nearly all of the products we rely on in any given day by participating in a relay where they match an everyday item with its “source.”
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY, EVENTS & INVENTIONS
Growing a Nation Era 1a: Seeds of Change: Students will engage with the Growing a Nation timeline to explore the significant historical and agricultural events and inventions from American history during the years 1600-1929. Students will recognize the importance of labor in agriculture, discover how the implementation of technology increased agricultural production, and explore the role wool played during this era.
Growing a Nation Era 2: From Defeat to Victory: Students will engage with the “Growing a Nation” timeline to explore the significant historical and agricultural events and inventions from American history during the years 1930-1949. Students will examine the cause and impact of the Dust Bowl, recognize how the Dust Bowl led to the Great Depression, and describe the government's response to assist farmers in the 1930s.
Growing a Nation Era 3: Prosperity and Challenges: Students will engage with the “Growing a Nation” timeline to explore the significant historical and agricultural events and inventions from American history during the years 1950-1969. Students will examine the cause and effect relationships of many post-war advances that took place in our country and discover how increases in science and technology changed agriculture, leading to fewer farmers being necessary to provide food and fiber.
Growing a Nation Era 4: Into a New Millennium: Students will engage with the “Growing a Nation” timeline to explore the significant historical and agricultural events and inventions from American history during the years 1970-2000. Students will recognize the importance of labor in agriculture and determine how the implementation of technology in agriculture increased agricultural production.
Growing a Nation Era 5b: Playing by the Rules: Students will explore the major events and changes in agriculture related to science, technology and policy in the era of 2001 to the present, taking an in-depth look at how these elements have impacted American families and communities through the passage and enactment of government programs and policies.