Embedded Files
All About Growing Food Grade Level: PreK-2 3-5
All About Growing Food Grade Level: PreK-2 3-5
Thousands of years ago, people hunted or scavenged for their food. Farmers started growing crops for food. Herders started raising animals to eat. Animals were used to plow fields. Their manure was used to make the soil rich. Some crops were used to feed animals. Machines are now used to plow fields. Chemicals and ash from burnt wood are used to fertilize crops. Plants may be grown in greenhouses, where farmers can control the temperature and moisture. Some people even grow food and raise livestock in urban areas.
Topic: Farming, Crops
Language: English
Lexile: 790L Video
My American Farm Grade Level: PreK-2 3-5
My American Farm Grade Level: PreK-2 3-5
Learn about amazing grains and how plants grow. Explore facts and fairy tales about agriculture. Find fun facts about crops grown in different states as well as how livestock is raised. Understand sustainability with games and interactive adventures. Did you know that more than 350 different agricultural commodities are grown and raised in the United States? Figure out the answers to agricultural story problems. Investigate careers in agriculture like a plant scientist, produce buyer, or food chemist.
Topic: Crops, Agriculture, Farming, Farms
Language: English
Lexile: 930L
Educational game
National Geographic News Watch: Irrigation Grade Level: 9-12
National Geographic News Watch: Irrigation Grade Level: 9-12
Learn what’s happening around the world when it comes to innovations in irrigation through all of these news stories and video clips. A solar powered smart gate and water-level sensor hooked up with an 1800s irrigation ditch in Arizona means the river isn’t dried up during growing season. See how farmers can grow more tomatoes in water-scarce California. Small-scale irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa boosts incomes and food availability. A human-powered treadle pump to irrigate rice fields in India keep families alive and create income. The Murray River in Australia is suffering from drought and irrigation use, and more.
Topic: Irrigation, Water conservation, Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1300L
Video Magazine
Career: Crop Farmers Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Career: Crop Farmers Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
From acres of wheat to heirloom tomatoes, there are many options for crop farmers. In addition to knowing what the specific crop needs for success, a farmer also needs to be able to run a business. Farming is more than planting, cultivating, and harvesting. A farmer needs to hire workers, find buyers, and track purchases. They might need to pull weeds, remove bugs, or install irrigation systems. Classes in biology, chemistry, and accounting are important for aspiring farmers. New technology is reducing the number of farmers needed, but organic farming is growing and more landowners are hiring agricultural managers.
Topic: Farming
Language: English
The U.S. Professionals Quitting the Rat Race To Become Farmers Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
The U.S. Professionals Quitting the Rat Race To Become Farmers Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Ms. Hart and Mr. Jacobs are just two of the growing numbers of Americans leaving other jobs to work the land. Former costume designers, news photographers, and office workers are now working outdoors and contributing to the food supply. Some want to become self-sufficient by growing vegetables like arugula and zucchini. This trend is especially popular in California and the Northeast where farmers markets and locavore movements are growing. Nearly half a million Americans are beginning farmers, but they aren't all young. Some only work part time on the farm, while others turn it into a successful small business.
Topic: Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1310L
News Source
URL: http://www.bbc.com
Green Acres: a History of Farmers in America Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Green Acres: a History of Farmers in America Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Listen to this podcast from The American History Guys about the history of American farmers. Thomas Jefferson considered farmers the ideal citizens. Today, only two percent of the population in America occupies farms. In the nineteenth century, railroads were granted a great deal of land. They needed people to work the land so that trains could transport products. They brought in European immigrants to be yeoman farmers. Farmers, by the 1920s, had built a farm lobby into one of the most powerful interest groups in the nation. What was involved in the Cold War corn diplomacy? How is the American farmer viewed overseas?
Topic: Farming, Agriculture--History
Language: English
Lexile: 1330L
Audio
History of East Asia: Part 1 Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
History of East Asia: Part 1 Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Ten thousand years ago, small groups of hunter-gatherers roamed East Asia. Communities grew along the coastline, fed by stable supplies of seafood. Discover evidence that they ventured out into the deep water. They made fine ceramics thousands of years before they started farming along the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. Millet was grown in the north, while rice was cultivated in the south. Foraging provided a diverse diet, including edible water plants. Homes were built on posts for flood protection. By 4,500 years ago, this region had jade jewelry, silk garments, and the potter's wheel. Trade expanded and horseback riding developed.
Topic: Farming, East Asia
Language: English
Lexile: 1370L
Agricultural Education Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Agricultural Education Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
From on-the-job training to a university degree, agricultural education comes in many different forms. This encyclopedia entry discusses agricultural education in general and has specific information for agricultural education in New Zealand. Debates about different types of farm training are explained and two of New Zealand's main universities that teach agriculture are introduced. Learn about training farms and how they are used and find out about certification. Be sure to visit the image gallery for photos and additional information.
Topic: Agriculture, Farming
Language: English
Encyclopedia
Kids Farm Grade Level: PreK-2 3-5
Kids Farm Grade Level: PreK-2 3-5
Based on folks who live on the western slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, this Kids Farm web site is all about people who live and work on farms and live in the country. Links lead viewers to a page for farm animals, kids rodeo, farm equipment, and crops grown. You never know what might turn up on the What's New link. A neatly written well illustrated site for elementary students.
Topic: Farms, Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1100L
Interactive
Getting Started in Farming: No Path is the Same Grade Level: 9-12
Getting Started in Farming: No Path is the Same Grade Level: 9-12
Commodity prices influence farmland values today. Urban sprawl and government regulations are other contributing factors to land prices and availability. When making decisions about an inherited farm or a small farming venture, the farmer needs to consider the advantages or disadvantages of different paths to making a living. Consider physical resources, managerial ability, and the advantages of the home farm. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of part-time farming. Analyze costs and yields for crops, ethanol, and livestock operations.
Topic: Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1090L
Careers In Agriculture Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Careers In Agriculture Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
If you grew up in the city, you may never have considered a career in agriculture. Growing plants and raising animals is only one portion of agriculture. Farming, or agricultural production, only makes up 10% of this field. Agricultural scientists also manage natural resources, figure out how to get food and fiber from the farms to the cities, and take positions in forestry or as wildlife managers. Agricultural careers also include the economics and marketing of agricultural commodities. Find out why minorities are underrepresented in this field. Learn about agricultural opportunities in landscaping, food science, and urban ecosystems.
Topic: Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1160L
A Day in the Life - Farming Then and Now Grade Level: 3-5 6-8
A Day in the Life - Farming Then and Now Grade Level: 3-5 6-8
Agriculture has always been seen as important to manufacturing and trade in America, but it has changed over time. In 1862, about 90% of Americans were farmers. Today, a scarce 2% are considered farmers. In 1850, a farmer could not manage more than 80 acres. One hundred years ago, farmers raised a variety of crops and animals, as well as planting large gardens. Farmers today manage much more land, and specialize in specific crops. Farmers today often go to college or business school to learn about agriculture, develop skills in technology, and prepare to manage a business.
Topic: Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 970L
Kids' Farm Grade Level: 3-5 6-8
Kids' Farm Grade Level: 3-5 6-8
Have you ever been to a real farm? Open up this interactive web page and visit a virtual farm. Click on the different animal pictures and learn about the farm animals. Some of the animals featured here include cows, ducks, goats, chickens, and donkeys. As you walk through the farm, you will learn how to care for the different animals. You will also learn different facts about the animals. The Smithsonian National Zoological Park brings you this on-line farm.
Topic: Farms, Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1090L
Herbicides and Other Agricultural Chemicals Midwest Cornbelt Grade Level: 9-12
Herbicides and Other Agricultural Chemicals Midwest Cornbelt Grade Level: 9-12
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is studying agricultural chemicals in a twelve-state area in the Upper Midwest. Project researchers are identifying the sources of agricultural chemicals and the factors that affect their movement to groundwater, streams, rivers, and the atmosphere. The goal of the study is to develop agricultural management practices that protect the quality of the region's water resources. Explore this USGS site to learn more about this important study. You can access the project homepage and a photo gallery. There are also links to related articles.
Topic: Herbicides, Pesticides, Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1440L
How to Pick, Store, and Sell the Vegetables You Grow Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
How to Pick, Store, and Sell the Vegetables You Grow Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
When trying to sell vegetables at the market, the way that they are picked, stored, transported, and displayed is essential. While some crops will stay fresh for months when stored properly, others will spoil in a week or less and should be sold as soon as possible after picking. Find out what to pick first, what to pick last, and why a refrigerated truck is important for transporting vegetables. At a farmers' market, people are looking for vegetables that look clean, fresh, and healthy. Discover how to make a display colorful and attractive.
Topic: Crops, Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 580L
Chemicals: the Good, the Bad and the Deadly -- the Mystery Club Grade Level: 3-5 6-8
Chemicals: the Good, the Bad and the Deadly -- the Mystery Club Grade Level: 3-5 6-8
Not all chemicals are bad for you. Some we use every day and probably don't think of them as chemicals. The Mystery Club explains the world of chemicals. Learn how nitrogen is found naturally and how it can be used in agriculture. See how nitrogen can be harmful if too much of it is used and learn about other chemicals that can be dangerous or even deadly. Read about the use of pesticides in farming and about ways in which you can protect yourself from the dangers of fertilizers. The top ten signs of possible chemical poisoning are listed.
Topic: Chemicals--Safety measures, Pesticides, Farming
Language: English
Farming Grade Level: 3-5 6-8
Farming Grade Level: 3-5 6-8
Ten thousand years ago, farmers in the Middle East raised sheep and goats. Today, livestock farmers raise cattle, pigs, and even ostriches. Early farmers collected and domesticated wild plants, especially grains. Wheat, rice, and corn are the most common crops today. In some areas, farmers still harvest by hand. The use of combine machines, chemical pesticides, and chemical fertilizers is widespread. Find out how organic farmers grow crops and raise livestock in a different way compared to mechanized farming.
Topic: Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1040L
Encyclopedia
Vegetable Production Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Vegetable Production Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Georgia vegetable crops are worth over 600 million dollars, making Georgia the third most popular state for providing fresh vegetables to the market. Find out what other vegetables are produced in Georgia besides Vidalia onions and watermelons. Discover the small amount of Georgia vegetables that are actually processed instead of sold as fresh food. Investigate the history of truck farming and vegetable production in Georgia. Learn about the plasticulture irrigation method the geographic and seasonal distribution of crops.
Topic: Crops, Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1190L
Encyclopedia
Ditching Farm Pollution — Literally Grade Level: 3-5 6-8
Ditching Farm Pollution — Literally Grade Level: 3-5 6-8
Ditch design can make a difference in avoiding runoff of toxic agricultural chemicals. Farm fields often have drainage ditches to help prevent flooding. Ditches with a trapezoidal design carry snowmelt and spring rains away quickly, along with chemical fertilizers and soil nutrients. Fertilizers help crops grow bigger and pesticides reduce harm from insects. Away from the farm, those chemicals are pollutants that cause harmful algae blooms and poison endangered mussels and salamanders. A two-tiered ditch design can help keep agricultural chemicals on the farm and out of rivers and streams.
Topic: Groundwater Pollution, Pesticides, Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1050L
National FFA Organization Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
National FFA Organization Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
The Future Farmers of America started in Kansas City in 1928 with 33 farm boys. Millions of agricultural students have benefited from the FFA in the decades since it began. The FFA teaches leadership skills and agribusiness concepts. Planting and harvesting is taught as a science, art, and business. Not all of those in the FFA today will become farmers. Some will be biologists, chemists, engineers, and veterinarians who will make advances in agriculture. The new FFA site provides relevant and personalized information related to agricultural education.
Topic: Farming, Agricultural organizations, Youth organizations
Language: English
Lexile: 1600L
URL: https://www.ffa.org
Key Points to Consider for Various Alternative Enterprises Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Key Points to Consider for Various Alternative Enterprises Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
When a small farmer chooses which enterprise to pursue, there are many things to consider. How much land is needed? Does the enterprise require a lot of start-up capital? What kinds of purchases and buildings are necessary? Consider the importance of experience, knowledge, management, and labor. Think about operating and marketing costs. This chart makes it easy to compare different types of enterprises. Explore risks and potential returns. Beneath the chart, read a description of each consideration.
Topic: Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1080L
Urban Farming Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Urban Farming Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Growing food locally is a growing trend, even in cities. Just like citizens across America grew victory gardens during World War II, urban gardens are now springing up near city halls and on rooftops. The Food Project in Boston sells pesticide-free crops at farmers' markets and through crop shares, donating the remainder to shelters. Farmscrapers may soon provide food for thousands and eliminate the need to transport all that food over long distances. Vertical farms, or sky farms, often use wind or solar power and water-saving technologies or hydroponics. Urban farming can increase access to fresh produce for city-dwellers.
Topic: Local food, Farming
Language: English
Image collection
News Source
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Careers in the field of agriculture include inspectors, farm labor contractors, agricultural equipment operators, supervisors, and farm workers. Fallers use an ax or chainsaw to cut down trees, but that's not that the only career option in the field of forestry. Log graders determine the value of logs at market, while logging equipment operators skid and stack logs. Fishers catch aquatic life with nets, rods, or traps. Other jobs in this career cluster include nursery workers, hunters, and forest conservation workers.
Topic: Farming, Fisheries, Forests and forestry
Language: English
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Investigate a career in farming, ranching, or agricultural management. You can do this job with just a high school diploma, but you will need some work experience. The work is often strenuous and typically done outdoors. A growing number of farmers get at least a bachelor's degree in agriculture to understand the complexities of farm management. The median wage is just over $60,000 a year, but employment in this field is declining with nearly 100,000 jobs expected to be lost in the next decade. Related occupations include being a food scientist or purchasing agent.
Topic: Farming, Ranching
Language: English
Lexile: 1280L
URL: http://www.bls.gov
Chemicals and Pesticides Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Chemicals and Pesticides Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Physicians diagnose 10000 to 20000 pesticide poisonings each year. Learn how teens who work in the agriculture field can be safe while using pesticides and chemicals. The potential hazards of working with pesticides and the ways in which they enter the body are described. Find out what precautions teens can take when working with pesticides. The site also provides employer safety solutions and rules from the Fair Labor Safety Act. Several related links are available.
Topic: Pesticides, Farming
Language: English
Lexile: 1080L
News Source
URL: https://www.osha.gov
Young Farmers and Ranchers Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
Young Farmers and Ranchers Grade Level: 6-8 9-12
This web site from the California Farm Bureau Federation is directed towards agriculturists involved in production, banking, business, and other areas of the industry. Those who may be considering a career as a farmer or rancher and who may wish to learn more about the industry will find the information on this site very valuable. Readers can use this site to access information about agriculture, different farm bureaus, and issues currently affecting the farming and ranching industry. Members of this organization are involved in raising awareness about legislature and promoting further career development.
Topic: Farming, Ranching
Language: English
Lexile: 1460L
URL: http://www.cfbf.com
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