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AGR 199 – Contemporary Issues in Agriculture. Welcome. Contemporary Issues in Agriculture Issues Class- meaning an in-depth exploration of conflict between two oppositional sides of an issue. Conflict. Example: Organic Farming vs. Conventional Farming
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Welcome • Contemporary Issues in Agriculture • Issues Class- meaning an in-depth exploration of conflict between two oppositional sides of an issue.
Conflict • Example: Organic Farming vs. Conventional Farming • Organic Position- cut production quantity to focus on production quality for the health of all involved. • Conventional Position- Increase productivity through the use of technology and site specific inputs to increase profitability for producer and decrease food price for consumer.
What is this class? • Better question: What does this class mean? • What do the following words mean? • Contemporary • Issue • Agriculture
Contemporary • (Adjective) – Existing or occurring at, or dating from, the same period of time as something or somebody else. • (Noun) – Somebody or something in existence at the present time.
Issues • (Noun) – A topic for discussion or of general concern. • (Verb) – transitive verb - To make public something such as a bulletin, statement, warning, or deliver it officially to somebody.
Agriculture • As defined by Bill Gates and the Microsoft Crew • (Noun) – The occupation, business, or science of cultivating the land, producing crops, and raising livestock. • Thesaurus says agriculture is, “Farming, Cultivation, Crop Growing, and Gardening”
Is America illiterate about Agriculture? • Or is Agriculture illiterate about Agriculture? • The largest employer • $1,000,000,000,000 industry • Since 1850, the definition of a farm has changed 9 times (USDA, 2008).
So…what is a farm? • Since 1974, the USDA has defined a farm as… • any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products (crops and livestock) were sold or normally would have been sold during the year
What about this class? • Identify issues • Effectively communicate • Learn how to research • Develop independent decisions and opinions with valuable documentation. • Gain knowledge in agriculture • Gain self-confidence
Rodeo • Do you think rodeo is fair animal treatment? • USDA • What do they do? Who is the secretary of Agriculture? • Organic Food • Does your body function better on antioxidants? What are they? • Tobacco • What is your stance? No smoking? Or limited?
Fast Food- • Is it good for you? • How much do we consume? • PETA- • How do you feel about this activist group?
We will also discuss the History of Agriculture. • Who can forget Norman Borlaug? • Certified Organic- Is it really all organic? • Horse Slaughter- • Are you for it or against it and why?
AG. Illiteracy • Chicken or beef? • Or should I say Holstein? • When is the last time you sat down to a juicy hunk of milk cow? • Oh- and who can forget the hit movie Barnyard where all of the bull cattle had udders? • We all know male cattle don’t have udders!
Discussions • We will discuss much more as well. • Remember to practice appropriate professional discussion as the issues come forth.
Looking Ahead • Go over syllabus • Make sure that you understand all of the grading procedures. • During the next class section, we will look at the history of agriculture.