AGR 199 Contemporary Issues in Agriculture Welcome Contemporary

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 – 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 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

What will we discuss?

• Rodeo – Do you think rodeo is fair animal treatment? • Organic Food – Does your body function better on antioxidants? What are they? • USDA – What do they do? Who is the secretary of Agriculture? • 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?

Along with…

• Certified Organic • We will also Is it really all discuss the History organic? of Agriculture. • Who can forget Norman Borlaug? • 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.