What is agronomy and why is it important?

What is agronomy? Who works in agronomy? When/where was agronomy formed? Why is agronomy important? How does agronomy affect me?

Agronomy, is the study and science of using plants for food, shelter, land reclamation and meeting the needs of mankind. Quite simply put, Agronomy is plant-specific agriculture, and it uses agricultural technology to operate. Agricultural technology is any technology used to operate or advance a farm or agriculture related activity.

Agronomy typically works to make the crops used in food and for consumption, but branches such as horticulture focus on aesthetic plants. Agronomy also operates closely with biotechnology, as biotechnology researches and breeds new characteristics in plants for agronomy. Agroecology and soil conservation both work hand-in- hand with agronomy, because they each help in planting more plants and contributing to agronomy.

Agricultural Climatologist Agronomist Agronomist Sales Biological Science Technician Biotechnology Technician Chemical Sales Representative Crop Consultant Crop Production Specialist District Conservationist District Seed Sales Manager Environmental Scientist

Extension Agent Farm Loan Officer Farm Manager (Traditional & Organic) Farmer Fertilizer Plant Manager Field Production Specialist Field Representative Forest Soil Scientist Golf Course Superintendent GPS Training Specialist

Grain Laboratory Technician Lab technician Land Use Consultant National Park Technician Operations Trainee Physical Science Technician Production Scientist Range Manager Research Assistant Research Associate Research Station Superintendent

Seed Analyst Seed Production Manager Soil and Water Conservationist Soil and Water Management Consultant Soil Classifier Soil Management Specialist Soybean Researcher Territory Sales Manager Turf-grass Specialist Weed Scientist Wetlands Soil Scientist -Courtesy of Iowa State University

Although the origin of agronomy is unknown, just as agriculture’s is, the American Society of Agronomy, being the most active organization of agronomy in America, was formed in The first meeting was held in Washington D.C. and it was held there to symbolize the importance of agriculture and agronomy.

The best way to explain how important agronomists are is to imagine what would happen if they all disappeared... First, manufacturers would slowly run out resources. Next, stores’ food supply would gradually diminish and be limited to meat. Then, people would begin to starve... In this little, simplistic scenario, everything begins to fall apart quite quickly. Agronomy produces majority of the food that sits in the average pantry shelf.

Without agronomy, everyone would constantly have to eat meat. According to Fit Day, eating only meat can contribute to kidney failure, osteoporosis, higher risk for cancer, and organ damage. It is now very clear that we, as humans, need agronomy.

Agronomy contributes to nearly everything in our daily lives. Our coffee and toast in the morning, the fibers in our clothes, and the gas we put in our cars are all products of agronomy. Due to the overwhelming contributions to our life agronomy has made, I picked this topic. More people should know that they wear, eat, and sleep in its gifts.

Agronomy is plant-specific agriculture. There are over 40 agronomy careers. The American Society of Agronomy was established Without agronomy, majority of the things we eat would disappear. We all need agronomy to survive. In conclusion, agronomy is the most influential, necessary branch of agriculture in the modern, everyday world, and has been that way for more than a century.

ASA. Home | American Society of Agronomy. American Society of Agronomy, n.d. Web. 29 Jan "Careers in Agronomy." Careers in Agronomy. Iowa State, n.d. Web. 29 Jan "5 Negative High Protein Diet Effects." Nutrition / Healthy Eating. Fit Day, n.d. Web. 30 Jan "Agronomy." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 30 Jan "The Importance of Agronomic Accompaniment « Azrom." Azrom The Importance of Agronomic Accompaniment Comments. Azrom, n.d. Web. 30 Jan All work was researched and written by Caleb Teague