Introduction to Agriculture and Sustainable Farming in Canada

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts, historical changes, processing steps, and pillars of sustainable farming described in the unit notes.

Primary Production Chain

The multi-step process through which food moves, defined by the sequence: primary production, processing, distribution, retail, and consumer.

Oat Groats

The inner grain kernels used to make oat food products, which undergo a kilning process to sterilize them.

Beta-Glucan

A high dietary fiber found in oats that benefits heart health and keeps you feeling satisfied and full for longer.

Controlled Atmosphere Storage

A technique used for stored apples where carbon dioxide released by the fruit is controlled and oxygen levels are lowered to put them to sleep and extend shelf life.

Organic Farming

An agricultural approach where farmers aim to grow crops and raise livestock in ways that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment.

Soil Management

Agricultural practices aimed at improving land health and preventing topsoil erosion into ditches and waterways.

Horticulture

The science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants.

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms taking place in fresh or salt water environments, such as tanks, ponds, lakes, and the ocean.

Water Management

The practice of protecting water resources to sustain food production demands while protecting necessary natural resources.

Livestock

Farm animals raised by farmers and ranchers, including beef cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, sheep, bison, goats, deer, and elk.

Scythe

An ancient hand tool historically used to cut grain, allowing a worker to harvest roughly 1 acre of grain per day.

Threshing

The process of separating the seed and grain from the remaining plant material after harvesting.

Combine Harvester

A modern machine that cuts and threshes grain in one unified process, capable of harvesting 150 acres per day.

Moldboard Plough

An older soil tillage tool used to turn over soil, which reduced soil fertility and left topsoil prone to wind erosion.

Environmental Pillar

The pillar of sustainable agriculture focused on protecting soil, water, biodiversity, and the climate.

Economic Pillar

The pillar of sustainable agriculture focused on ensuring farms and food businesses are profitable and provide economic value.

Social Pillar

The pillar of sustainable agriculture focused on supporting food security, fair labour, and healthy communities.