Basic Agriculture Study Guide

Agriculture

The science, art, and practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals for food, fiber, medicinal plants, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life.

Arable

Land that is suitable for farming and can be used to grow crops.

Barren

Land that is not able to support vegetation or agriculture due to poor soil quality or environmental conditions.

Commodities

Raw materials or primary agricultural products that can be bought and sold, such as grains, livestock, and coffee.

Natural Resources

Resources derived from the environment that are used for economic production, such as water, soil, minerals, and air.

Crossbreeding

The process of mating two different breeds or species to produce offspring with desirable traits from both parents.

Embryo Transfer

A reproductive technique where embryos are collected from a female animal and transferred into the uterus of another female to carry the pregnancy.

Cloning

The process of producing a genetically identical organism from a single cell or tissue.

Selective Breeding

The process of choosing specific animals or plants with desirable characteristics to reproduce in order to pass on those traits to the next generation.

Food Insecurity

The state in which individuals or households do not have access to enough nutritious food for an active, healthy life.

Food Deserts

Areas where residents have limited access to affordable and nutritious food, often due to a lack of grocery stores or farmers' markets.

Biotechnology

The use of living organisms or their products to develop or create new products, often used in agriculture to improve crop yields, pest resistance, and nutritional content.

Mechanical Processing

The use of machines and tools to alter the form, structure, or size of agricultural products (e.g., milling grain, cutting meat).

Fibrous Root

A root system made up of many thin, branching roots that emerge from the base of the stem (common in monocots like grasses).

Tap Root

A primary, thick root that grows deep into the soil with smaller lateral roots branching off (common in dicots like carrots).

Which three main products drive agriculture?

Food, Fiber, Fuel

Monocot

A type of plant that has one seed leaf (cotyledon) and parallel~veined leaves. Examples: grasses, corn.

Dicot

A type of plant that has two seed leaves (cotyledons) and net~veined leaves. Examples: beans, roses.

Xylem

The tissue in plants responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.

Phloem

The tissue in plants responsible for transporting nutrients and sugars produced by photosynthesis from the leaves to the rest of the plant.

Community Gardens

A shared space where individuals or groups can grow food crops together, often in urban areas.

FDA

The Food and Drug Administration is a federal agency responsible for regulating food safety, drugs, and medical devices in the U.S.

PETA

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an organization advocating for animal rights and the prevention of animal cruelty.

FFA

Future Farmers of America, a student organization that promotes agricultural education, leadership, and community involvement.

SAE

Supervised Agricultural Experience, a hands-on learning component of agricultural education where students gain practical experience in agriculture.

Cross-Contamination

The transfer of harmful bacteria or other microorganisms from one surface or food item to another, potentially causing foodborne illness.

Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA)

A system in which consumers purchase a share of a farm's harvest in advance, supporting the farm financially and receiving fresh produce throughout the growing season.

Silage

Fermented green forage (often corn) that is stored in a silo and used as animal feed, especially for dairy cattle.

Active Listening

Fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said, often involving verbal and non-verbal cues to show engagement.

Passive Listening

Listening without actively engaging, providing minimal feedback, and not offering input or asking questions.

Which development had the greatest impact on early civilization?

Agriculture was the most impactful development as it allowed societies to settle, form communities, and develop economies.

Studying past changes in agriculture helps us…

Understand how agricultural practices have evolved, improve current methods, and anticipate future challenges such as climate change and food security.

A concern with genetically modified crops is…

The potential for unforeseen environmental impacts, effects on biodiversity, and ethical concerns over corporate control of the food supply.

Which soil layer contains the most organic matter?

The O Horizon (also called the organic layer), which consists mostly of decomposed plant and animal material.

What happens in the O Horizon?

This is where organic material like decaying leaves and animal matter accumulates and decomposes, enriching the soil.

What happens in the A Horizon?

The A Horizon (topsoil) is where mineral particles and organic matter mix, providing nutrients for plant growth.

What happens in the B Horizon?

The B Horizon (subsoil) receives minerals and nutrients leached from the A horizon, often containing clay and other minerals.

What happens in the C Horizon?

The C Horizon consists of weathered parent material or bedrock, which breaks down into soil over time.

Rank the soil types from smallest to largest particle size.

Clay (smallest), Silt, Loam, Sand (largest)

Roots break down rocks to…

Create soil through the process of weathering and contribute to soil formation.

Cover crops are used to…

Prevent soil erosion, improve soil health, enhance nutrient cycling, and reduce weed growth.

Herbicide that kills roots causes …

Damage to the root system of plants, ultimately killing the plant by disrupting the water and nutrient uptake.

What are the three rings of the agriculture class model?

Classroom instruction, FFA (Future Farmers of America), SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience)

What pathogen causes most foodborne illness in the U.S.?

Salmonella is the most common pathogen associated with foodborne illness.

Which farm animal produces both milk and meat in dual-purpose breeds?

Cattle (e.g., Holstein, Jersey).

Which crop is considered a staple food worldwide?

Rice is a staple food for billions of people, especially in Asia.

Tool used to measure soil acidity is called a…

pH meter or soil pH tester.

What is Grafting?

The process of joining two plant parts together (typically a rootstock and a scion) to form a new plant with desirable characteristics.

What is a cover crop?

A crop planted to protect and enrich the soil, typically grown during the off-season to prevent erosion and improve soil health.

Give an example of organisms that help develop soil the most.

Earthworms