A farm is a plot of land that use to grow crops and livestock to produce food. People that own and operate farms are called farmers. The practice of farming dates back thousands of years. Water is vital part of farming and is usually the major barrier to having a productive year for farmers. Having too little water will not allow the soil to be fertile enough for plants to thrive. Having too much water from flooding can also be a major problem it can wash away the plants and the nutrients in the soil. Today many farms are operated by major corporations that have farms that are ten time greater in size and capacity of the family farmer. The main bread winning crops are corn, potatoes, soybeans, sugar beets, and wheat. Technology has helped farmers be more successful. In the 1930s a typical farmer could produce enough food for up to four people. Today, every farmer can grow enough food to feed one hundred people.
Technology has helped the modern create much more available food based on even less available land. Crops are grown in closed indoor environments on shelves, in some cases. The climate is controlled, and this can result in much less required water as the water cycle nature keeps the water cycling between the plants and the controlled atmosphere. Robots now harvest crops which reduces inefficiencies and improves production. Computer modeling has improved farming intelligence. Farmers will now consult their models before planted and pick their most fertile areas of land before they even get started. These worksheets will introduce students to traditional farming and the advances that are being led by the technology revolution. We will look at the concept of genetically modified organisms and the culture that is for an against that technology. We also look at the beef industry and the production process. Students will also explore the concept of organic and community supported agricultural.