What Is Agriculture?Why Is It Important?

Intro. To AgriscienceUnit 1, Section A

Mrs. Martin2012-2013

Agriscience- The application of scientific principles to agriculture

Agriculture- The activities related to the production of plants, animals and related processes.

Agribusiness- Refers to commercial firms that have developed from agriculture

What is Agriscience?Agriscience is the application

of scientific principles to agriculture.

3 Basic Areas of AgriscienceBiology- The study of living

thingsChemistry- Deals with

elements and simple substances

Biochemistry- Focuses on chemistry as it is applied over living things.

What is Agriscience?Application of scientific

principles and new technologies

Applied scienceUses basic sciences in

practical ways Biology Chemistry Physics

Technology- The application of science to an industrial or commercial purpose

High Tech- The use of electronics and state-of-the-art equipment to perform task

What is the definition of Agriculture?Agriculture also called farming or

husbandry is the production and cultivation of animals, plants, fungi, and other life forms for food, fiber, biofuel and other products used to sustain life.

Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the development of civilization.

The study of agriculture is known as agricultural science.

What is Agriculture… Continued!Agriculture is also known as the activities

concerned with the production of plants, animals, and related supplies, mechanics, products, processing, and marketing.Production agriculture (farming) only accounts

for 1/5th of the total agriculture jobs in the US

Agriscience ExamplesEntomology

Uses biology and chemistry to study insect life Definition:

Agriculture EngineeringUses physics to develop new machines, tools

and implements Definition:

Agriscience ExamplesAgronomy

Definition: Uses biology and chemistry

to produce and control crops Cotton Soybeans Tobacco Corn Hay and Turf grass

Agriscience ExamplesBiotechnology

Definition: Uses biology, genetics, and chemistry to modify

or change organisms for a useful purpose

Applied Sciences

AquacultureAgricultural

EngineeringAnimal ScienceCrop ScienceAgronomy

Soil ScienceBiotechnologyHorticultureHydroponics

Definition- The application of one or more of the basic sciences for practical (real life) purposes.

Definitions of Applied SciencesAquaculture:The raising of

finfish, shellfish, and other aquatic animals under controlled conditions.

Also the management of aquatic environments for production of plants and animals.

Agricultural Engineering:

The application of engineering principles in agricultural settings

Definitions of Applied SciencesAnimal Science:The science of animal

growth, care, and management.

Crop Science:The use of modern

principles in growing and managing crops.

Definitions of Applied SciencesAgronomy:The science and

economics of managing land and field crops.

Soil Science:The study of

properties and management of soil to grow plants.

Definitions of Applied SciencesBiotechnology:The use of cells or

components of cells to produce products of processes.

Horticulture:The science of

producing, processing, and marketing fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants.

Definitions of Applied SciencesHydroponics:The practice of growing

plants without soil.

University of ArizonaHydroponics Greenhouse,

organic tomatoes.

Fact:A United States Department

of Agricultural study forecast that job opportunities for graduates in agricultural and life sciences will exceed the graduates available in the coming years.

What is Agribusiness? Refers to commercial firms that have

developed out of agriculture Take a moment to name three agribusinesses

in your notes: John Deere Monsanto Tractor Supply

How important is agricultural trade to the U.S. economy?The United States is now the world’s

largest agricultural exporter. The value of agricultural exports equals nearly one-fourth of farm cash receipts, about twice the level of the overall U.S. economy, and 1 out of 3 acres are planted for export.

How much of its agricultural products does the United States export?American farmers export:

45 percent of their wheat34 percent of their soybeans71 percent of their almondsMore than 60 percent of their

sunflower oil.

What would happen if US Agricultural Production stopped today?In 3-5 days: The American economy would begin

to collapse.Most American homes do not have enough food to

last more than 3 days and not enough water on hand for more than 1 day. Economic Example: Stock markets crashed after 9/11,

driven by “the mood” (fears and confidences) of the public.

Emergency Example: Hurricane Katrina- Riots, looting, grocery stores bare in a matter of hours.

What would happen… Continued.In 5 -7 days: The entire World would begin to

suffer the same economic collapse.Humanitarian aid to 3rd World or war torn countries

would have stopped completely.Northern European countries that rely on

imports from America would begin to suffer a food shortage. Finland, Sweden, Norway:

No fruit? No meat? No veggies?

Where would we be without Agriculture?

Naked +Hungry=

What happens next?