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Page 1: aG in ThE cLaSSrooM - hELPinG ThE nEXT GEnEraTion ...growingyourfuture.com/civi/sites/default/files/0903.pdf · aG in ThE cLaSSrooM - hELPinG ThE nEXT GEnEraTion UndErSTand ThEir

aG in ThE cLaSSrooM - hELPinG ThE nEXT GEnEraTion UndErSTand ThEir connEcTion To aGricULTUrE

Food chain - March 2009

C o l o R A D o � F o u n D A T I o n � F o R � A G R I C u l T u R e � � / � w w w . g r o w i n g y o u r f u t u r e . c o m 1

Most�people�think�of�agriculture�as�cows�and�milk.�But�did

you�know�it’s�impossible�to�get�in�a�car�and�drive�on�a�paved

road�without�agriculture�being�involved?�Almost�all�sports

have�some�component�that�originates�with�agriculture.�The

same�is�true�in�medicine,�cosmetics,�publishing,�education�and

recreation.

Agriculture�is�defined�as�the�science,�art,�or�practice�of

cultivating�the�soil,�producing�crops,�and�raising�livestock�and

in�varying�degrees�the�preparation�and�marketing�of�the

resulting�products.

There�are�many�types�of�farms�and�ranches,�including�dairy

farms�and�farms�that�grow�vegetables.�In�addition,�there�are

fish�farms�(aquaculture),�mushrooms,�herb�farms�and�tree

farms.�Farmers�and�ranchers�produce�many�products,�not�just

plant�crops�and�meat.�The�primary�purpose�of�agriculture�is�to

produce�the�food�we�eat.�However,�non-edible�parts

of�plants�and�animals�are�used�to�make�additional

products�we�use�every�day.

In�fact,�agriculture�connects�to�your�life

every�single�day�and�in�every�single�way.�Does

this�sound�far-fetched?�Are�you�thinking,

“How�can�someone�claim�that�agriculture

affects�me�every�day?”�Read�on�and�you’ll�see�how�agriculture

touches�our�lives�every�day�in�every�way.

AGRICULTURE. . .TOUCHES OUR LIVES EVERY DAY IN EVERY WAY

Take a few minutes to list what you thinkcomes from farms and ranches below:

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Now list what you think DOESN’T comefrom farms and ranches below:

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In�addition�to�food,�agriculture�affects�us�every�day,�all�daylong.�From�the�time�you�wake�up�and�go�to�school,�to�whenyou�lay�your�head�down�on�your�pillow�and�fall�asleep,agriculture�is�with�you�all�the�way.�The�toothpaste�you�use�tobrush�your�teeth�in�the�morning�is�made�with�sugar.�Shampoo,soap�and�lotion�contain�lanolin�from�sheep,�and�oils�fromsoybeans.�lipstick,�mascara�and�other�cosmetics�contain�plantand�animal�fats�and�oil.�Cotton�is�an�important�farm�crop�thatis�used�in�the�jeans�and�t-shirt�you�wear�to�school,�the�pajamasyou�wear,�and�the�sheets�on�your�bed.�Your�pillow�may�evenbe�made�with�feathers�from�chickens�or�ducks.�Belts,�purses,wallets,�boots,�and�gloves�are�made�from�cowhides,�wool�or�cotton.What�about�school?�The�books,�worksheets�and�paper�you

use�all�come�from�timber�(much�of�which�is�farmed.)�Thepencils�and�crayons�are�made�with�farm�products�too.�Crayons

Everyday ItemsThat Come FromAgriculture

contain�animal�products�or�can�be�made�from�soybeans.�Pastecontains�corn�starch�and�adhesives�are�made�from�animalproducts.�even�chalk�is�held�together�with�adhesives�madefrom�farm�animal�products.After�school�the�baseballs,�bats�and�gloves�we�use�are�all

made�from�agricultural�products.�Video�game�packaging�andtoys�using�plastic�are�also�manufactured�using�animal�and�plantproducts.�Games�that�contain�paper�or�cardboard�are�printedwith�natural�inks�or�use�some�type�of�plastic�made�from�cropand�animal�products.�Did�you�know�many�musical�instrumentsare�made�of�wood�and�piano�keys�are�made�of�sheep�bone?Many�artists�materials�including�canvas,�paints�and�brushes�aremade�of�agricultural�products.�even�the�felt�covering�on�a�pooltable�is�made�of�wool.�We�know�that�our�breakfast,�lunch�and�dinner�food�comes

from�agriculture,�but�did�you�know�dishes�that�are�made�ofbone�china�use�bones�of�beef�and�sheep?�Glass�and�manyceramics�are�also�made�using�animal�products.�Around�thehouse�many�items�are�made�from�plant�and�animal�productsincluding:�furniture,�rugs,�paints,�stains.�Plywood,�insulation,linoleum�flooring�and�plastics�are�manufactured�using�animaland�plant�products.And�what�about�your�pet�dog�or�cat?�Meat�from�all�farm

animals�are�used�to�make�pet�food,�as�are�corn,�wheat,�barley,oils�and�vegetables.�Pet�chews�are�made�from�animal�hides.�When�you�plant�a�garden,�you�will�probably�use�manure

from�cattle,�sheep,�hogs,�horses�or�poultry.�Insecticides�andherbicides�(chemicals�that�kill�bugs�or�weeds)�contain�productsfrom�pigs.�The�seeds�or�seedling�plants�you�plant�come�fromfarms�too.

You�may�think�driving�a�car�has�nothing�to�do�withagriculture.�But,�ethanol�in�e10�and�e85�is�a�renewable�fuelmade�from�corn.�This�type�of�gas�is�used�throughout�thecountry�to�reduce�air�pollution.�Maybe�you�don’t�use�gas�thathas�ethanol�in�it,�but�did�you�know�that�fats�from�cattle�areused�to�make�brake�fluid�for�automobiles?�even�if�you�ride�abicycle,�beef�fat�is�used�to�make�rubber�tires�and�to�help�themhold�their�shape.�If�you�walk,�asphalt�contains�a�binding�agentmade�from�beef�fat�that�holds�it�together.�Shoes�made�of�leathercomes�from�cowhide�and�canvas�shoes�come�from�cotton.�eventhe�glue�that�holds�them�together�comes�from�hide,�hooves,�andhorns�of�cattle�and�sheep.Many�business�items�also�come�from�farms.�Biodegradable

packing�peanuts�are�made�from�corn.�Cardboard�boxes,�paper,labels�and�envelopes�are�made�from�wood.�even�ink�forlabeling�and�printing�is�made�from�plants.�The�ink�used�to�printthis�publication�is�made�from�soybeans.You�can�see�how�we�are�surrounded�by�and�depend�upon

many�agricultural�products�the�whole�day�through.

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3C o l o R A D o � F o u n D A T I o n � F o R � A G R I C u l T u R e � � / � w w w . g r o w i n g y o u r f u t u r e . c o m

EconoMicS

Standard ii -�Students�understand

how�different�economic�systems

impact�decisions�about�the�use�of

resources�and�the�production�and

distribution�of�goods�and�services

Standard iii -�Students�understand

the�results�of�trade,�exchange�and

interdependence�among�individuals,

households,�businesses,�governments

and�societies.

GEoGraPhy

Standard v -�Students�understand�the

effects�of�interactions�between�human

and�physical�systems�and�changes�in

meaning,�use,�distribution�and

importance�of�resources.

MaTh

Standard i - Students�will�utilize

language,�symbolism�and�technology

to�develop�number�sense�and�to

communicate�those�mathematical

ideas.

Standard vi -�Students�will

understand,�develop,�and�use

computational�skills�and�techniques,

including�estimation,�mental�math,

paper�and�pencil,�calculators�and

computers�to�solve�situations.

rEadinG and wriTinG

Standard i -�Students�read,�listen�to

and�understand�a�variety�of�materials.

Standard iv -�Students�apply

thinking�skills�to�their�reading,

writing,�speaking,�listening�and

viewing.

Standard v -�Students�read�to�locate,

select�and�make�use�of�relevant

information�from�a�variety�of�media,

reference�and�technological�sources.

SciEncE

Standard iii -�life�Science:�Students

know�and�understand�the

characteristics�and�structure�of�living

things,�the�processes�of�life�and�how

living�things�interact�with�each�other

and�their�environment.

Circle the items that come from farms orranches.

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Where�does�your�food�come�from?�The�grocery�store,is�true,�but�where�does�the�grocery�store�get�food?�Theanswer�is�from�a�farm�or�ranch�or�nature.But�even�before�that,�food�begins�with�the�sun�and�the

earth�(both�land�and�water.)�You�may�wonder�how�the�suncan�make�food.�Plants�take�the�energy�from�sunlight�andnutrients�from�the�soil�and�produce�food�during�theprocess�of�photosynthesis.�Plants�are�producers,�meaningthey�produce�food.�Most�food�begins�with�plants.�Someof�that�food�is�food�for�humans,�some�for�animals.�Allparts�of�the�plant�are�food�for�some�organism.�A�bird�eatsthe�plant’s�seed,�a�rabbit�eats�the�plant’s�leaves,�a�wormeats�the�plant’s�fruit,�a�deer�eats�the�plant’s�stems�andleaves,�a�boy�or�girl�eats�the�root�of�a�plant�(carrot),�or�ahoneybee�eats�the�nectar�from�the�plant’s�flower.�Theanimal�or�person�that�eats�part�of�the�plant�is�a�consumer.They�consume�the�plant�and�receive�energy�and�nutrientsfrom�the�plant.�This�transfer�of�energy�and�nutrients�fromthe�sun�to�a�plant�to�an�animal�or�person�is�called�a�food�chain.�Consumers�must

obtain�thenutrientsthey�needfrom�thefoods�theyeat.Simple-stomachedanimals(humans�included)must�also�obtain�that�food�inan�easily�digestible�form.�We�can’t�break�down�manyfoods�such�as�grass,�that�cattle�and�giraffes�can.�eachfood�provides�different�nutrients�that�we�need.�That�iswhy�we�need�to�eat�a�variety�of�foods.�We�have�manyfood�choices,�and�we�need�to�eat�a�variety�of�all�foods�tobe�healthy.What�foods�do�we�get�from�cattle?�Some�examples�are:

milk,�cheese,�yogurt,�ice�cream,�hamburgers,�steaks�androasts.�Humans�are�consumers�of�cattle.�Humans�also�eatcorn�in�sweet�corn,�corn�flakes,�corn�chips,�taco�shellsand�corn�sweeteners.�Cattle�eat�corn�as�corn�silage,�corngrain,�and�corn�by-products.�Do�cattle�eat�other�plants.Sure,�they�eat�grass,�oats,�soybeans,�hay�and�milo.

Can�humans�eat�grass�and�live�on�it�like�cattle�can?no,�cattle�have�a�special�stomach.�If�we�tried�to�live�onjust�grass�we�wouldn’t�get�enough�nutrition.What�other�animals�eat�corn?�A�caterpillar�eats�the

corn�leaf�and�a�crow�eats�corn.�Maybe�the�crow�would�eatthe�caterpillar.�Could�other�birds�eat�the�caterpillar?�Yes.What�might�eat�a�crow�or�the�other�bird?�A�fox,�dog,

hawk,�a�snake�or�raccoon�might�eat�its�eggs.�You’ll�noticethat�the�diagram�is�getting�more�and�more�complex.�Thisis�not�a�simple�food�chain,�it’s�a�food�web.�Words�in�our�language�have�more�than�one�meaning.

Buck�can�mean�a�dollar�or�a�male�deer.�Producers�andconsumers�are�such�words.�The�first�meaning�is�producerstake�light�energy�from�the�sun�and�convert�it�into�foodenergy�and�consumers�eat�that�food.�The�second�meaningis�that�farmers�and�ranchers�are�producers�of�crops�andlivestock�-�they�produce�the�food�that�we�eat�(consumers).Consumers�are�not�only�those�who�eat�plants�or�otherconsumers�in�the�food�chain�or�food�web,�they�are�alsopeople�who�buy�goods�and�services�and�make�use�of�themas�food,�clothing,�shelter,�entertainment,�transportation,etc.�In�the�second�definition,�any�person�or�animal�thatproduces�something�is�a�producer,�and�any�person�whobuys�those�goods�is�a�consumer.For�example,�chickens,�cattle,and�goats�are�consumers

in�the�first�definition�used�in�food�chains�and�food�websbecause�they�eat�plants.�But�in�the�second�definition,these�animals�are�producers�because�they�produce�meat,milk,�and�eggs�for�human�consumption.�only�the�plantsare�producers.

Food Chain

What foods do you eat?

Write 2 sentences that explain theroles of humans in food chains andfood webs. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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5C o l o R A D o � F o u n D A T I o n � F o R � A G R I C u l T u R e � � / � w w w . g r o w i n g y o u r f u t u r e . c o m

The�Colorado Reader publication�and�Ag�in�the�Classroom�are�projects�of�the�Colorado�Foundation�for�Agriculture.�educational�projects�are�produced�in�cooperation�with�the�Colorado�Department�of�Agriculture,�

other�state�and�federal�agencies,�Colorado�commodity�groups,�Colorado�agricultural�associations,�state�universities�and�colleges�and�interested�individuals.�Colorado Readers are�provided�free�to�educators�requesting�them.�

For�more�information�contact:�Bette�Blinde,�Director,�Colorado�Foundation�for�Agriculture,�P.o.�Box�10,�livermore,�Co�80536�or�phone�(970)�881-2902.�Financial�support�for�this�reader�has�been�graciously�provided�by�

Colorado�Beef�Council,�Colorado�CattleWomen.�Written�by�Carrie�Jordan.�lllustrated�and�designed�by�Carrie�Jordan

How many balls can be made from one cow hide?144 Baseballs 18 Volleyballs 20 Footballs 12 Basketballs 18 Soccer balls

There are 72 footballs used in the Super Bowl each year. How many cowhides does it taketo produce those footballs?

Word Scramble

Unscramble the following words ofwell-known agricultural products:

T E M A

L I K M

H A T W E

R O C N

G A B S L E V E T E

T I R U F

CHALLENGE Word Scramble

Unscramble the following words of lesswell-known agricultural products.Remember aquaculture is part ofagriculture.

L I T A P A I

R U M O O S H M S

M I P R H S

S H E B R

R A S H M I R C R T E E

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� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � �

� � � � � � � �

13 6

10 12

9 7

This is a magic square. If youadd the numbers across arow, down a column ordiagonally, the sum is alwaysthe same.

The sum of this magic squareis _____.

Fill in the squares below tomake it a magic square.

9 2 7

4 6 8

5 10 3 E W E F A R M E R XL N N H Z G O R C XB S V C C V I U O SA T I A D M E T N YD N R O U S J L S KA E O Y V K P U U RR I N A E L H C M AG R M F T T O I E NE T E O E R T R R CD U N J R E O G Y HO N T E I C S A Y EI T T D N U Y Y G RB U W K A D N J R UB J E U R O T G E UC O Q Q I R H T N GV T X S A P E Y E DT L H N N N S R C WN R S U N L I G H TJ N E R U T S A P EN I A H C D O O F F

WORD SEARCH • WORD SEARCH Find�the�following�words�in�the�word�search�below.�

AGRICULTUREBIODEGRADABLECONSUMERENERGYENVIRONMENTFARMERFOODCHAIN

NUTRIENTSPASTUREPHOTOSYNTHESISPRODUCERRANCHERSUNLIGHTVETERINARIAN

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C o l o R A D o � F o u n D A T I o n � F o R � A G R I C u l T u R e � � / � w w w . g r o w i n g y o u r f u t u r e . c o m 7

Most�farms�and�ranches�in�the�unitedStates�are�family�owned�and�operated.�Whatdoes�it�take�to�be�a�farmer�or�rancher?�Ittakes�people�who�care.�People�who�care�fortheir�environment,�their�families,�theirbuildings,�their�land�and�water,�and�the�foodthey�produce.�When�you�ride�down�the�roador�highway�and�see�cattle�grazing�in�apasture,�you�are�probably�witnessing�afamily�farm�or�ranch�in�action.�Most�beefcalves�are�born�and�raised�on�family-ownedfarms�and�ranches,�and�the�farmers�orranchers�that�own�beef�cattle�are�called�beefproducers.�The�family�is�involved�in�caringfor�their�cattle,�land,�fences,�and�buildingsevery�day.�Their�life�revolves�around�caringfor�their�animals.A�pregnant�cow�carried�its�calf�for�9

months.�Farmers�and�ranchers�watch�thecows�very�carefully�when�they�are�about�togive�birth�(calve.)�If�the�cow�has�troublegiving�birth,�it�is�helped�by�the�owner�andsometimes�an�animal�doctor�(veterinarian)�iscalled.�When�a�calf�is�born,�it�weighs�50�to100�pounds.�While�calves�can�be�born�year�round,

most�farmers�and�ranchers�will�try�to�avoidhaving�calves�born�in�the�coldest�part�of�thewinter�because�of�the�possibility�of�badweather,�such�as�a�blizzard.�After�the�calf�isborn,�the�beef�producer�makes�sure�that�thecalf�stand�and�gets�milk�(nurses)�from�thecow.�The�first�milk�that�a�cow�producesprotects�the�calf�from�getting�sick�until�itsown�immune�system�can�develop.When�calves�are�young,�they�mainly�get

nutrition�from�milk.�Calves�will�begin�tonibble�on�grass,�but�it�will�be�a�while�beforethey�can�eat�all�of�the�foods�that�adult�cattleeat.�Beef�calves�stay�with�their�mothers�untilthey�do�not�require�milk�anymore.�At�thatpoint,�the�calves�weigh�450�to�700�pounds.At�all�times,�beef�producers�make�sure�thereis�plenty�of�fresh,�clean�water�for�the�cattleto�drink�and�enough�healthy�plants�in�thepasture�to�eat.�If�there�are�not�enough�plants

in�the�pasture�for�cattle�to�eat,�the�farmer�orrancher�brings�them�extra�food,�such�as�haybales,�which�is�grass�that�is�cut,�dried�andbundled�up�(baled)�in�the�summer�andstored.�During�the�winter�when�grass�is�notgrowing,�the�cattle�are�fed�hay.�The�farmersand�ranchers�also�give�the�cattle�salt�blocksand�minerals�to�keep�them�healthy,�muchlike�the�vitamins�and�minerals�children�maytake.�Just�as�important�as�caring�for�theiranimals,�farmers�and�ranchers�care�for�theenvironment�where�they�raise�their�cattle.�Itis�so�important�to�them�because�it�is�thesame�environment�in�which�they�raise�theirown�children�who,�one�day,�will�take�overthe�farm�or�ranch.When�the�cattle�are�600-800�pounds,

most�will�be�sold�at�an�auction�market.However,�the�best�females�may�be�kept�bythe�rancher�and�used�to�produce�morecalves.�At�the�auction�market,�the�buyersbid�against�each�other�until�one�buyer�iswilling�to�pay�more�than�anyone�else.every�rancher�knows,�the�best�cattle�bringthe�most�money,�so�beef�producers�strive�to�raise�the�healthiest�and�highest�quality�cattle.

After�the�auction�market,�most�animalsare�shipped�to�a�feedlot�or�a�grass-fedoperations,�by�a�truck.�At�arrival�at�afeedlot,�cattle�are�carefully�watched�andgiven�an�ID�number�that�will�be�used�tohelp�track�the�cattle.�The�people�who�workat�the�feedlot�keep�very�good�records�of�allthe�animals�they�care�for.�A�veterinarianwatches�the�cattle�closely�and�givesmedicine�if�cattle�get�sick.�In�a�feedlot,cattle�are�put�into�pens�where�they�eatspecial�diets�made�mostly�of�corn�and�cornproducts�along�with�hay,�vitamins�andminerals.�At�about�18-22�months�or�whenthe�animal�weighs�1,200�to�1,400�pounds,they�are�considered�finished�and�can�be�processed.�Some�of�the�cattle�may�be�raised�for

grass-fed�beef,�meaning�they�will�continueto�eat�grass�until�they�are�fully�grown�andready�for�market.All�cattle�are�trucked�to�a�processing

plant�and�processed�into�meat.�Inspectorsfrom�the�united�States�Department�ofAgriculture�(uSDA)�check�to�make�suresafety�practices�are�upheld�and�that�themeat�produced�is�safe�to�eat.

Write <, >, or = to compare the fractions below. Drawpictures or write equivalent fractions, if you need to.

4 5__ __8 8

7 2__ __8 4

6 5__ __11 11

2 2__ __3 6

7 1__ __14 2

2 5__ __5 10

1 8__ __2 12

3 1__ __6 2

4 4__ __7 14

Producing Beef With Care

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