A.G.R.I.C.U.L.T.U.R.E: Caring for the Earth Every Day

1. Environmental Stewardship AGRICULTURE & Caring for the Earth Every Day of Every Year GA Ag Ed Curriculum Office To accompany Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Lesson July 2002

2. AWARENESS G L O B A L Global Warming Toxic Waste Pollution

3. T h e E n v i r o n m e n t & A G R I C U L T U R E Relying on the Land & Water Those in agriculture have more invested in Earth’s resources than any other industry in the world. Protecting their Future

4. P r e s e r v i n g O u r F u t u r e A G R I C U L T U R E F e e d I n g T h e W o r l d • Conserve Soil • Protect Water • Reduce Chemicals • Protect Wildlife

5. S t e w a r d s O f T H E L A N D Today’s farmers are truly stewards of the land and demonstrate this by adopting more environmentally sound methods of farming that reduce the risks involved with planting and harvesting the world’s food and fiber.

6. E N V I R O N M E N T A L H A Z A R D S WILDLIFE ENDANGERMENT WATER CONTAMINATION INEFFICIENT CHEMICAL USE SOIL EROSION

7. 1 Biotechnology Environmental SOLUTIONS • Land Conservation • Decreased Soil Erosion • Improve Water Quality • Efficient Chemical Use

8. 2 IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Environmental SOLUTIONS • Preserving the Land • Efficient Pest Control • Improving Soil • Milder Chemicals • Biological Integrity

9. 3 Environmental SOLUTIONS Global Positioning Satellite • Variable-Rate Fertilizer • Variable-Rate Spraying • Targets Inputs • Improves Efficiency • Sustains the Land

10. Environmental 4 SOLUTIONS Sustainable Farming • Preserves the Land for the Future • Identifies Potential Environmental Hazards • Promotes Environmental Accountability

11. S U S T A I N A B L E FARMING METHODS • Conservation Tillage Improves Soil Quality and Productivity • Conservation Buffers Reduces Runoff, Protects Water • Cover Crops Reduces Soil Erosion • Wildlife Refuge Provides food & shelter for native wildlife

12. Preserving Our Future • 31.4 million acres of farmland in government conservation programs • Farmers to install 2 million miles of conservation buffers • 109 million acres of cropland using reduced tilling methods • 90% reduction in soil erosion • Farmers provide food & habitat for 75% of nation’s wildlife • Today’s farmer feeds 129 people, as compared to 25 people in 1960

13. A Farmer's Environmental Creed • As a producer of food and fiber, • I pledge to: • Conserve and improve our soil resources, leaving the land I farm productive and in good health for the benefit of future generations. • Protect the quality and supply of our water resources, always mindful of those who live down stream. • Respect the diversity of nature and recognize my responsibility to provide habitat for animals and native plants whenever possible. • Responsibly use fertilizers, crop protection and animal health products, never using more than needed and always applying with care. • Help others in my community protect natural resources on their own farms.

14. E A R T H F R I E N D L Y A G R I C U L T U R E • Agriculture has more invested in Earth’s resources than any other industry in the world. • New technology allows farmers to conserve the soil, protect water, reduce chemical use and protect wildlife. • Agriculture commemorates the Earth and its resources every day of the year

15. Environmental Stewardship & AGRICULTURE Caring for the Earth Every Day of Every Year

16. Everyone must get involved! • Stewardship isn’t just for farmers • City and suburban workers & residents must act as stewards too.