Aggie exam 1

no-till farming

The practice of using no soil tillage prior to planting

What are the advantages of no-till farming?

-Soil structure preserved

-Soil losses minimized

-Fertility more successfully preserved

-Less energy required

What two ways is No-till Farming made possible?

-Meachanization

-Development of herbicides to control weeds

Basics of Science

Knowledge gained through the systematic study of natural phenomena

3 humans needs

Food, Clothing, and shelter

When and where did agriculture start?

6-10K years ago in the Middle East

How has agricultural production changed over time?

Production efficiency has incrased over time

What did agriculture encourage in early societies?

Inventions and mechanization

What did agricultural success and confidence in food supply lead to?

-Provision of basic needs

-Settlement and city building

-Pursuits that advance society (the arts)

- Inventions and mechanization

What does "Tremendous food and fiber production" mean in the US?

The US produces extremely large amounts of food and fiber compared to other countries

About how many people does one farmer feed?

About 166 people

Why is domestic food considered abundant and low-cost?

Food shortages are very rare, and consumers spend about 10% of their income on food

What makes U.S food stand out globally?

It is the world's most efficient and safe food-production system

How many farms and acres are there in the US?

About 2 million farms and 897 million acres

What is the average size of U.S farms?

444 acres

How have farm numbers changed since 1940?

It has declined by about 2/3

What is happening to US farmland and farm population?

It is being lost at over 250,000 acres per year and only about 2% of the poplution lives on farms

What percentage of US farms are family-owned?

97.7% are family-owned

How much of US agricultural production comes from family farms?

About 86.6% of total argicultural output

What percentage of US farms are non-family (large corporations)?

Only about 2.4%

How much agricultural production comes from non-family farms?

About 13.4% of agricultural production

How did U.S. farm production change between 1945 and 2019?

Farm production nearly tripled during that time period.

What time period saw major growth in U.S. farm production?

From 1945 to 2019.

Which two major crops make up the largest portions of U.S. crop production?

Corn (26.1%) and soybeans (19.3%).

What percentage of U.S. animal production comes from cattle and calves?

About 41.7% of animal production.

What percentage of U.S. animal production comes from poultry and eggs?

About 26.1% of animal production

How much flour and cereal does the average family consume per year?

About 196.9 pounds of flour and cereal per family per year.

What are the average annual consumption amounts for fruits and vegetables?

About 415 pounds of vegetables and 273.2 pounds of fruit per family per year.

How much meat and poultry does the average family consume annually?

About 110.6 pounds of red meat and 73.7 pounds of poultry per year.

What are the average yearly consumption amounts for dairy and eggs?

About 20.7 gallons of beverage milk, 32.7 pounds of cheese, and 249 eggs per family per year.

What are the 4 factors in American agriculture?

Blessing from the Lord, Climate and soil, Economic system, and Scientific research

What natural factors support successful agriculture in the United States?

A mild climate with adequate moisture and rich soils found in river valleys and glacial till.

How does the U.S. economic system support agriculture?

Through buying and selling and strong infrastructure for production, marketing, and consumption.

What role has scientific research played in U.S. agriculture?

Scientific research has improved farming through land‑grant universities, experiment stations, and extension services.

Which major laws helped establish agricultural education and research in the U.S.?

The Morrill Act (1862), USDA formation (1862), Hatch Act (1887), Smith‑Lever Act (1914), and Smith Act (1917).

Who established the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)?

Abraham Lincoln established the United States Department of Agriculture

What is the main purpose of the USDA?

To lead agricultural research and related issues using public policy, science, and effective management.

What major areas does the USDA oversee?

Food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, and nutrition.

How large is the USDA as an organization?

It consists of 29 agencies and offices, about 100,000 employees, and roughly 4,500 locations worldwide

What was the purpose of the Morrill (Land‑Grant) Act of 1862?

It provided land to establish a university in each state focused on agriculture and the classics

Who first proposed the Morrill Act and when?

Justin Morrill of Vermont first proposed the bill in 1857.

Why was the Morrill Act delayed before becoming law?

The bill was vetoed by President Buchanan and later passed during the Civil War after southern states seceded.

Who signed the Morrill Act into law and when?

Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law in 1862.

What was the purpose of the Hatch Act of 1887?

To develop public agricultural research in the United States through science‑based investigation.

Who was involved in proposing and passing the Hatch Act?

It was based on ideas by Seaman Knapp, proposed by Rep. Carpenter, chaired by William Hatch, and signed by President Cleveland.

What did the Hatch Act establish in each state?

It established agricultural experiment stations in every state.

How were experiment stations funded and connected to education?

Each state received $15,000 annually, and most stations were closely associated with land‑grant universities.

Who authored the Smith‑Lever Act?

It was authored by Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia and Representative Asbury Lever of South Carolina.

What was the main goal of the Smith‑Lever Act?

To train farmers in improved agricultural practices through education and outreach.

What major program was established by the Smith‑Lever Act?

The Cooperative Extension Service.

Who does the Cooperative Extension Service serve?

It serves adults and youth through extension agents and programs such as 4‑H.

What was the National Vocational Education Act?

A federal law that established career and technical education for high school students.

Who authored the National Vocational Education Act?

It was authored by Senator Hoke Smith and Representative Dudley Hughes, both from Georgia.

What type of education did the National Vocational Education Act establish?

It established Career and Technical Education (CTE) in high schools

How did the National Vocational Education Act support vocational education?

It federally funded and nationally organized vocational education programs.

Land Grant Schools

Conduct agricultural research

Experiment station

Applies and tests results

Extension service

Brings new technology to farms

Basic Research

Investigate why/how plant/animal processes occur

Applied Research

Uses basic research discoveries for practical purposes

How has beef and livestock production improved over time?

Beef is higher quality and cheaper, with increased live weight in sheep and swine.

What improvements have occurred in dairy and egg production?

Milk production per dairy cow has increased and annual egg production has doubled.

How has poultry production changed?

Broiler chickens reach twice the weight in half the time using half the feed.

What overall changes have occurred in agriculture production?

Significant advances have been made in both animal and crop production.

What health and food‑preservation advances improved agriculture?

Animal immunization along with canning and refrigeration improved food safety and shelf life.

How has technology changed how farms operate?

Agricultural mechanization and computer use have increased efficiency and productivity.

What scientific tools have improved plant and animal production?

Pesticides, genetics, and genetic engineering have improved yields and resistance.

What reproductive technologies have advanced livestock production?

Artificial insemination and embryo transfer have improved breeding efficiency and genetics.

How does the science of agriculture impact society?

The science of agriculture touches many lives by supporting food, fiber, and natural resource needs.

Why is America considered the world's agricultural leader?

Due to strong research, free enterprise, favorable soil, and suitable climate.

What key factors contribute to agricultural success in the United States?

Research, free enterprise, soil quality, and climate.

What perspective does Colossians 1:16-17 provide about agriculture and life?

It teaches that the Lord holds all things together and is sovereign over creation.

Why is soil considered a natural resource?

Soil supports plant life and animals and is essential for food production

How does soil support plant life?

Soil provides nutrients, water, and physical support needed for plant growth

Why does most human food production depend on soil?

Fruits, vegetables, grains, and animal protein all ultimately rely on plants grown in soil

How do animals gain minerals from soil?

Animals gain minerals by eating plants that absorb nutrients from the soil

What are the four main components of soil?

Mineral, water, organic, and air

Why are water and air imprtant compnents of soil?

Water dissolves nutrients for plant uptake, and air supplies O2 for roots and soil organims

What is the difference between organic and inorganic soil parent material?

Organic parent material comes from once living organisms, while inorganic parent material comes from minerals

What is alluvial soil and how is it formed?

It is deposited by water and it is among the most productive soils

How does wind deposition influence soil particle size?

Wind-deposited soils contain large particles like sand and fine particles called loess

Why are alluvial souls considered highly productive?

They are formed from mutrient- rich materials deposited by moving water

What is soil texture?

The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a given soil

What defines sand in soil texture?

Particles are 2-0.05 mm in size and make op less than 52% of soil

What defines silt in soil texture?

Particles are 0.05-0.002mm in size and make up about 28-50% of soil

What defines clay in soil texture?

Particles are smaller than 0.002mm and make up less than 27% of soil

What is the ideal soil texture for most crops?

Loam

KNOW What is the composition of loam soil?

40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay

What are light soils?

They have a high sand content and low clay content

What are heavy soils?

Have high clay content

What is soil structure?

The arrangement of the soil particles into groups called arggregates

What are the 3 groups of aggregates called?

Weak, Moderate, and Strong

What type of soil structure is most productive?

Soils with usually granular with 40%-60% pore space

Why is pore size important in soil?

Pore size affects the water-air ratio; clay and sandy soils both have challenges maintaining proper balance

What is pH and what does it measure?

pH (potenz Hydrogen) measures the concentration of hydronium ions (H₃O⁺) in a solution.

What are the pH and hydronium concentration of pure water?

Pure water has 1 × 10⁻⁷ M H₃O⁺ and a pH of 7.

How do acids and bases affect pH?

cids decrease pH by increasing H₃O⁺, while bases increase pH by reducing H₃O⁺ through OH⁻.

How does pH affect plant nutrient availability?

The solubility of nutrients in the soil.

Where do most essential plant nutrients come from?

Fifteen of the eighteen essential plant nutrients are obtained from the soil

What happens to nutrient availability at low and high pH levels?

Below pH 6.0, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are less available; above pH 7.5, iron, manganese, and phosphorus are less available.