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aG in ThE cLaSSrooM - hELPinG ThE nEXT GEnEraTion UndErSTand ThEir connEcTion To aGricULTUrE Food chain - March 2009 ColoRADo FounDATIon FoR AGRICulTuRe / www.growingyourfuture.com 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 think comes from farms and ranches below: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– continued on page 2

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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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