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AGR 199 – Contemporary Issues in Agriculture. - Mr. Wilson. 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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AGR 199 – Contemporary Issues in Agriculture - Mr. Wilson
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.
Introductions • Introduce Yourselves • Stand up • Where you’re from • Major • Summer Activity (job, internship, etc.)
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