Agriculture and Society Chapter 4 Lesson 4.1

Theme Outline Lesson 4.1 Lesson 4.1 Food Production Food Production Food Production in Industrialized Countries Food Production in Industrialized Countries From Farm to Market From Farm to Market Food Production in Developing Countries Food Production in Developing Countries

PA Academic Standards for Environment & Ecology Standard A Standard A Describe the importance of agriculture to society. Describe the importance of agriculture to society. Identify the major cash crops of Pennsylvania.Identify the major cash crops of Pennsylvania. Identify what percentage of the United States’ population is involved in the food and fiber industry.Identify what percentage of the United States’ population is involved in the food and fiber industry. Compare and contrast the influence of agriculture on a nation’s culture, standard of living and foreign trade.Compare and contrast the influence of agriculture on a nation’s culture, standard of living and foreign trade. Identify laws that affect conservation and management of food and fiber production in the local area and analyze their impact.Identify laws that affect conservation and management of food and fiber production in the local area and analyze their impact. Compare a contemporary economic issue in agriculture to its historical origin.Compare a contemporary economic issue in agriculture to its historical origin.

Learning Objectives Students will identify what percentage of the U.S. population is involved in the food and fiber industry.Students will identify what percentage of the U.S. population is involved in the food and fiber industry. Students will identify the major cash crops of Pennsylvania.Students will identify the major cash crops of Pennsylvania. Students will compare and contrast the influence of agriculture on a nation’s culture, standard of living, and foreign trade.Students will compare and contrast the influence of agriculture on a nation’s culture, standard of living, and foreign trade. Students will compare a contemporary economic issue in agriculture with its historical origin.Students will compare a contemporary economic issue in agriculture with its historical origin.

Agriculture Basics Agriculture is an integral part of every society.Agriculture is an integral part of every society. Advances in agricultural has resulted in more food being grown on less land to meet the needs of a constantly growing population.Advances in agricultural has resulted in more food being grown on less land to meet the needs of a constantly growing population. ¼ of the world’s food exports come from the United States.¼ of the world’s food exports come from the United States. Why the U.S.? 1) Fertile soil Why the U.S.? 1) Fertile soil 2) Favorable Climate 3) Access to Technology

A change in times… In 1790, first national census recorded 95% of the United States population as “farmers.” These “farmers” grew only enough food to meet their own needs. In 2000, the national census recorded 2% of the United States population as “farmers.” These “farmers” produce more food in greater varieties than in any other time in U.S. history.

Food and Fiber System Definition : system that produces enough food to feed the more than 280 million people of the United StatesDefinition : system that produces enough food to feed the more than 280 million people of the United States Number of People Fed Annually By One Farmer

Pennsylvania Agriculture Basics About 59,000 farms in Pennsylvania, 9 million acres cultivatedAbout 59,000 farms in Pennsylvania, 9 million acres cultivated 18 th highest income by state from agriculture18 th highest income by state from agriculture One of the nation’s leading milk producersOne of the nation’s leading milk producers First in the nation for mushroom productionFirst in the nation for mushroom production Dairy Cattle Produce 10,740,000,000 Pounds of Milk Per Year in Pennsylvania. Generating Approximately $1,667,400, *

Across the nation… Small farms (sell less than $ 250,000 worth of crops of livestock annually) in the United States still outnumber the large scale farms in the nation.Small farms (sell less than $ 250,000 worth of crops of livestock annually) in the United States still outnumber the large scale farms in the nation. Bulk of the food produced in the United States now comes from large farms, owned and run by large corporations.Bulk of the food produced in the United States now comes from large farms, owned and run by large corporations.

How does corporate farming work? Typical scenario… Technology costs have increased, making it harder for small farms to grow crops competitivelyTechnology costs have increased, making it harder for small farms to grow crops competitively Large corporate farms can afford this new technology, which allows them to grow more food per acre of landLarge corporate farms can afford this new technology, which allows them to grow more food per acre of land Since small farms cannot afford this increased cost of technology, many farmers abandon their fieldsSince small farms cannot afford this increased cost of technology, many farmers abandon their fields Corporations buy unused farmland from small scale farmersCorporations buy unused farmland from small scale farmers Conclusion: corporate farms thrive, small farms struggleConclusion: corporate farms thrive, small farms struggle

Food Production Main production types by nation Main production types by nation Food Production in Industrialized NationsFood Production in Industrialized Nations Example: United States of America Food Production in Developing NationsFood Production in Developing Nations Example: Mexico

Green Revolution Definition : modern farming method that uses scientifically produced varieties of grain (rice, wheat, corn) and fertilizers, pesticides, and water to increase crop yields Definition : modern farming method that uses scientifically produced varieties of grain (rice, wheat, corn) and fertilizers, pesticides, and water to increase crop yields

Food Production in Industrialized Countries More food produced per acre, not by planting more, but by coaxing the land to produce more per acre as a result of the green revolution. More food produced per acre, not by planting more, but by coaxing the land to produce more per acre as a result of the green revolution. Developed nations have increased their production, growing enough food to feed themselves, as well as export to other nations Developed nations have increased their production, growing enough food to feed themselves, as well as export to other nations

Industrialized Nations: Irrigation Systems Increase land productivityIncrease land productivity Access to large amounts of waterAccess to large amounts of water Sophisticated irrigation systems usedSophisticated irrigation systems used Irrigation allows arid land to become suitable for farming.

Industrialized Nations: Machinery Increase land productivityIncrease land productivity Access to labor-saving technologyAccess to labor-saving technology Technology used throughout the farming practiceTechnology used throughout the farming practice Example: used in planting, tending to, and harvesting crops Example: automation in livestock facilities

What does this increased production do to the overall cost of food? More food produced means less expensive food in these countriesMore food produced means less expensive food in these countries Less expensive food means consumers can afford to purchase more product, spending less of their income on food suppliesLess expensive food means consumers can afford to purchase more product, spending less of their income on food supplies Less money spent on food means more money left in the consumer's pocketLess money spent on food means more money left in the consumer's pocket

What does this increased production do to the overall food supply? More food produced more surplus food available for exportMore food produced more surplus food available for export Surplus food means an increased revenue for exporting countriesSurplus food means an increased revenue for exporting countries Imported food drains the revenue of importing countriesImported food drains the revenue of importing countries

Cost of increasing productivity Concentrated animal and crop production can lead to issues such as… Manure disposal issuesManure disposal issues Controlling flies and other insect populationsControlling flies and other insect populations Suppressing odorsSuppressing odors Over reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticidesOver reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides Chemical pest resistant in insect populationsChemical pest resistant in insect populations

From Farm to Market Farming has changed over the years Historically, farmers raised just enough food for themselves and their families, doing their work almost entirely by handHistorically, farmers raised just enough food for themselves and their families, doing their work almost entirely by hand The domestication of livestock to help with farm work, allowed farmers to cultivate more land, thus producing a surplus of foodThe domestication of livestock to help with farm work, allowed farmers to cultivate more land, thus producing a surplus of food Modern agricultural technology allows only a small percentage of people to produce a majority of the world’s food supply.Modern agricultural technology allows only a small percentage of people to produce a majority of the world’s food supply. Agricultural has become impersonal, being consumers do not generally know the people who have actually farmed their foodAgricultural has become impersonal, being consumers do not generally know the people who have actually farmed their food

A simple process…A simple process… … crops are grown and sold at roadside stands, farmers’ co-ops, and farmer’s markets by local farmers A more complicated process…A more complicated process… … crops are sold to large companies, processed, and used to produce processed foods, which are then shipped for distribution and sale Example: applesauce from locally grown apples From Farm to Market

Food Production in Developing Countries Agricultural practices vary greatly by country Some farmers have large modern farming operations without the use of expensive green revolution technologySome farmers have large modern farming operations without the use of expensive green revolution technology Restricted access to expensive suppliesRestricted access to expensive supplies High-yield seeds High-yield seeds Fertilizers Fertilizers Pesticides Pesticides Modern machinery Modern machinery Irrigation systems Irrigation systems

Food Production in Developing Countries Developing nations have a lower crop yield than developed nationsDeveloping nations have a lower crop yield than developed nations Developing nations face a challenge that most industrial nations do not faceDeveloping nations face a challenge that most industrial nations do not face Problem: Populations are increasing in many developing nations. If these countries can currently not produce enough food and can not afford to import food from other countries, who are these countries going to meet the needs of their growing populations? Problem: Populations are increasing in many developing nations. If these countries can currently not produce enough food and can not afford to import food from other countries, who are these countries going to meet the needs of their growing populations?

Subsistence Farming Definition : farming method that just meets a farmer’s survival needsDefinition : farming method that just meets a farmer’s survival needs Two main types of subsistence farmingTwo main types of subsistence farming Shifting cultivation Shifting cultivation Slash-and-burn agriculture Slash-and-burn agriculture

Shifting Cultivation Definition : farming method in which farmers clear a plot of land in the forest, plant crops in it for a few years until the soil is depleted, and then move onto clear a different field Definition : farming method in which farmers clear a plot of land in the forest, plant crops in it for a few years until the soil is depleted, and then move onto clear a different field

Slash-and-burn Agriculture Definition : farming method in which farmers clear fields by cutting the trees and burning the vegetation where it lies on the ground Definition : farming method in which farmers clear fields by cutting the trees and burning the vegetation where it lies on the ground

Problems with subsistence farming Occurs mainly in tropical regions of the world Occurs mainly in tropical regions of the world Characteristic of tropical regions Characteristic of tropical regions Poor soil Poor soil Nutrients locked away in vegetation Nutrients locked away in vegetation Tropical rains quickly leach soil nutrients Tropical rains quickly leach soil nutrients Soil bakes in hot sun forming dry, impenetrable soil Soil bakes in hot sun forming dry, impenetrable soil Forces farmers to relocate every several years, after soil nutrients have been exhausted Forces farmers to relocate every several years, after soil nutrients have been exhausted Forces farmers to constantly clear large tracks of land, resulting in global deforestation concerns Forces farmers to constantly clear large tracks of land, resulting in global deforestation concerns