Post on 17-Oct-2020
aG in ThE cLaSSrooM - hELPinG ThE nEXT GEnEraTion UndErSTand ThEir connEcTion To aGricULTUrE
Food chain - March 2009
C o l o R A D o � F o u n D A T I o n � F o R � A G R I C u l T u R e � � / � w w w . g r o w i n g y o u r f u t u r e . c o m 1
Most�people�think�of�agriculture�as�cows�and�milk.�But�did
you�know�it’s�impossible�to�get�in�a�car�and�drive�on�a�paved
road�without�agriculture�being�involved?�Almost�all�sports
have�some�component�that�originates�with�agriculture.�The
same�is�true�in�medicine,�cosmetics,�publishing,�education�and
recreation.
Agriculture�is�defined�as�the�science,�art,�or�practice�of
cultivating�the�soil,�producing�crops,�and�raising�livestock�and
in�varying�degrees�the�preparation�and�marketing�of�the
resulting�products.
There�are�many�types�of�farms�and�ranches,�including�dairy
farms�and�farms�that�grow�vegetables.�In�addition,�there�are
fish�farms�(aquaculture),�mushrooms,�herb�farms�and�tree
farms.�Farmers�and�ranchers�produce�many�products,�not�just
plant�crops�and�meat.�The�primary�purpose�of�agriculture�is�to
produce�the�food�we�eat.�However,�non-edible�parts
of�plants�and�animals�are�used�to�make�additional
products�we�use�every�day.
In�fact,�agriculture�connects�to�your�life
every�single�day�and�in�every�single�way.�Does
this�sound�far-fetched?�Are�you�thinking,
“How�can�someone�claim�that�agriculture
affects�me�every�day?”�Read�on�and�you’ll�see�how�agriculture
touches�our�lives�every�day�in�every�way.
AGRICULTURE. . .TOUCHES OUR LIVES EVERY DAY IN EVERY WAY
Take a few minutes to list what you thinkcomes from farms and ranches below:
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
continued on page 2
2
Now list what you think DOESN’T comefrom farms and ranches below:
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
continued from page 1
In�addition�to�food,�agriculture�affects�us�every�day,�all�daylong.�From�the�time�you�wake�up�and�go�to�school,�to�whenyou�lay�your�head�down�on�your�pillow�and�fall�asleep,agriculture�is�with�you�all�the�way.�The�toothpaste�you�use�tobrush�your�teeth�in�the�morning�is�made�with�sugar.�Shampoo,soap�and�lotion�contain�lanolin�from�sheep,�and�oils�fromsoybeans.�lipstick,�mascara�and�other�cosmetics�contain�plantand�animal�fats�and�oil.�Cotton�is�an�important�farm�crop�thatis�used�in�the�jeans�and�t-shirt�you�wear�to�school,�the�pajamasyou�wear,�and�the�sheets�on�your�bed.�Your�pillow�may�evenbe�made�with�feathers�from�chickens�or�ducks.�Belts,�purses,wallets,�boots,�and�gloves�are�made�from�cowhides,�wool�or�cotton.What�about�school?�The�books,�worksheets�and�paper�you
use�all�come�from�timber�(much�of�which�is�farmed.)�Thepencils�and�crayons�are�made�with�farm�products�too.�Crayons
Everyday ItemsThat Come FromAgriculture
contain�animal�products�or�can�be�made�from�soybeans.�Pastecontains�corn�starch�and�adhesives�are�made�from�animalproducts.�even�chalk�is�held�together�with�adhesives�madefrom�farm�animal�products.After�school�the�baseballs,�bats�and�gloves�we�use�are�all
made�from�agricultural�products.�Video�game�packaging�andtoys�using�plastic�are�also�manufactured�using�animal�and�plantproducts.�Games�that�contain�paper�or�cardboard�are�printedwith�natural�inks�or�use�some�type�of�plastic�made�from�cropand�animal�products.�Did�you�know�many�musical�instrumentsare�made�of�wood�and�piano�keys�are�made�of�sheep�bone?Many�artists�materials�including�canvas,�paints�and�brushes�aremade�of�agricultural�products.�even�the�felt�covering�on�a�pooltable�is�made�of�wool.�We�know�that�our�breakfast,�lunch�and�dinner�food�comes
from�agriculture,�but�did�you�know�dishes�that�are�made�ofbone�china�use�bones�of�beef�and�sheep?�Glass�and�manyceramics�are�also�made�using�animal�products.�Around�thehouse�many�items�are�made�from�plant�and�animal�productsincluding:�furniture,�rugs,�paints,�stains.�Plywood,�insulation,linoleum�flooring�and�plastics�are�manufactured�using�animaland�plant�products.And�what�about�your�pet�dog�or�cat?�Meat�from�all�farm
animals�are�used�to�make�pet�food,�as�are�corn,�wheat,�barley,oils�and�vegetables.�Pet�chews�are�made�from�animal�hides.�When�you�plant�a�garden,�you�will�probably�use�manure
from�cattle,�sheep,�hogs,�horses�or�poultry.�Insecticides�andherbicides�(chemicals�that�kill�bugs�or�weeds)�contain�productsfrom�pigs.�The�seeds�or�seedling�plants�you�plant�come�fromfarms�too.
You�may�think�driving�a�car�has�nothing�to�do�withagriculture.�But,�ethanol�in�e10�and�e85�is�a�renewable�fuelmade�from�corn.�This�type�of�gas�is�used�throughout�thecountry�to�reduce�air�pollution.�Maybe�you�don’t�use�gas�thathas�ethanol�in�it,�but�did�you�know�that�fats�from�cattle�areused�to�make�brake�fluid�for�automobiles?�even�if�you�ride�abicycle,�beef�fat�is�used�to�make�rubber�tires�and�to�help�themhold�their�shape.�If�you�walk,�asphalt�contains�a�binding�agentmade�from�beef�fat�that�holds�it�together.�Shoes�made�of�leathercomes�from�cowhide�and�canvas�shoes�come�from�cotton.�eventhe�glue�that�holds�them�together�comes�from�hide,�hooves,�andhorns�of�cattle�and�sheep.Many�business�items�also�come�from�farms.�Biodegradable
packing�peanuts�are�made�from�corn.�Cardboard�boxes,�paper,labels�and�envelopes�are�made�from�wood.�even�ink�forlabeling�and�printing�is�made�from�plants.�The�ink�used�to�printthis�publication�is�made�from�soybeans.You�can�see�how�we�are�surrounded�by�and�depend�upon
many�agricultural�products�the�whole�day�through.
3C o l o R A D o � F o u n D A T I o n � F o R � A G R I C u l T u R e � � / � w w w . g r o w i n g y o u r f u t u r e . c o m
EconoMicS
Standard ii -�Students�understand
how�different�economic�systems
impact�decisions�about�the�use�of
resources�and�the�production�and
distribution�of�goods�and�services
Standard iii -�Students�understand
the�results�of�trade,�exchange�and
interdependence�among�individuals,
households,�businesses,�governments
and�societies.
GEoGraPhy
Standard v -�Students�understand�the
effects�of�interactions�between�human
and�physical�systems�and�changes�in
meaning,�use,�distribution�and
importance�of�resources.
MaTh
Standard i - Students�will�utilize
language,�symbolism�and�technology
to�develop�number�sense�and�to
communicate�those�mathematical
ideas.
Standard vi -�Students�will
understand,�develop,�and�use
computational�skills�and�techniques,
including�estimation,�mental�math,
paper�and�pencil,�calculators�and
computers�to�solve�situations.
rEadinG and wriTinG
Standard i -�Students�read,�listen�to
and�understand�a�variety�of�materials.
Standard iv -�Students�apply
thinking�skills�to�their�reading,
writing,�speaking,�listening�and
viewing.
Standard v -�Students�read�to�locate,
select�and�make�use�of�relevant
information�from�a�variety�of�media,
reference�and�technological�sources.
SciEncE
Standard iii -�life�Science:�Students
know�and�understand�the
characteristics�and�structure�of�living
things,�the�processes�of�life�and�how
living�things�interact�with�each�other
and�their�environment.
Circle the items that come from farms orranches.
4
Where�does�your�food�come�from?�The�grocery�store,is�true,�but�where�does�the�grocery�store�get�food?�Theanswer�is�from�a�farm�or�ranch�or�nature.But�even�before�that,�food�begins�with�the�sun�and�the
earth�(both�land�and�water.)�You�may�wonder�how�the�suncan�make�food.�Plants�take�the�energy�from�sunlight�andnutrients�from�the�soil�and�produce�food�during�theprocess�of�photosynthesis.�Plants�are�producers,�meaningthey�produce�food.�Most�food�begins�with�plants.�Someof�that�food�is�food�for�humans,�some�for�animals.�Allparts�of�the�plant�are�food�for�some�organism.�A�bird�eatsthe�plant’s�seed,�a�rabbit�eats�the�plant’s�leaves,�a�wormeats�the�plant’s�fruit,�a�deer�eats�the�plant’s�stems�andleaves,�a�boy�or�girl�eats�the�root�of�a�plant�(carrot),�or�ahoneybee�eats�the�nectar�from�the�plant’s�flower.�Theanimal�or�person�that�eats�part�of�the�plant�is�a�consumer.They�consume�the�plant�and�receive�energy�and�nutrientsfrom�the�plant.�This�transfer�of�energy�and�nutrients�fromthe�sun�to�a�plant�to�an�animal�or�person�is�called�a�food�chain.�Consumers�must
obtain�thenutrientsthey�needfrom�thefoods�theyeat.Simple-stomachedanimals(humans�included)must�also�obtain�that�food�inan�easily�digestible�form.�We�can’t�break�down�manyfoods�such�as�grass,�that�cattle�and�giraffes�can.�eachfood�provides�different�nutrients�that�we�need.�That�iswhy�we�need�to�eat�a�variety�of�foods.�We�have�manyfood�choices,�and�we�need�to�eat�a�variety�of�all�foods�tobe�healthy.What�foods�do�we�get�from�cattle?�Some�examples�are:
milk,�cheese,�yogurt,�ice�cream,�hamburgers,�steaks�androasts.�Humans�are�consumers�of�cattle.�Humans�also�eatcorn�in�sweet�corn,�corn�flakes,�corn�chips,�taco�shellsand�corn�sweeteners.�Cattle�eat�corn�as�corn�silage,�corngrain,�and�corn�by-products.�Do�cattle�eat�other�plants.Sure,�they�eat�grass,�oats,�soybeans,�hay�and�milo.
Can�humans�eat�grass�and�live�on�it�like�cattle�can?no,�cattle�have�a�special�stomach.�If�we�tried�to�live�onjust�grass�we�wouldn’t�get�enough�nutrition.What�other�animals�eat�corn?�A�caterpillar�eats�the
corn�leaf�and�a�crow�eats�corn.�Maybe�the�crow�would�eatthe�caterpillar.�Could�other�birds�eat�the�caterpillar?�Yes.What�might�eat�a�crow�or�the�other�bird?�A�fox,�dog,
hawk,�a�snake�or�raccoon�might�eat�its�eggs.�You’ll�noticethat�the�diagram�is�getting�more�and�more�complex.�Thisis�not�a�simple�food�chain,�it’s�a�food�web.�Words�in�our�language�have�more�than�one�meaning.
Buck�can�mean�a�dollar�or�a�male�deer.�Producers�andconsumers�are�such�words.�The�first�meaning�is�producerstake�light�energy�from�the�sun�and�convert�it�into�foodenergy�and�consumers�eat�that�food.�The�second�meaningis�that�farmers�and�ranchers�are�producers�of�crops�andlivestock�-�they�produce�the�food�that�we�eat�(consumers).Consumers�are�not�only�those�who�eat�plants�or�otherconsumers�in�the�food�chain�or�food�web,�they�are�alsopeople�who�buy�goods�and�services�and�make�use�of�themas�food,�clothing,�shelter,�entertainment,�transportation,etc.�In�the�second�definition,�any�person�or�animal�thatproduces�something�is�a�producer,�and�any�person�whobuys�those�goods�is�a�consumer.For�example,�chickens,�cattle,and�goats�are�consumers
in�the�first�definition�used�in�food�chains�and�food�websbecause�they�eat�plants.�But�in�the�second�definition,these�animals�are�producers�because�they�produce�meat,milk,�and�eggs�for�human�consumption.�only�the�plantsare�producers.
Food Chain
What foods do you eat?
Write 2 sentences that explain theroles of humans in food chains andfood webs. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
5C o l o R A D o � F o u n D A T I o n � F o R � A G R I C u l T u R e � � / � w w w . g r o w i n g y o u r f u t u r e . c o m
The�Colorado Reader publication�and�Ag�in�the�Classroom�are�projects�of�the�Colorado�Foundation�for�Agriculture.�educational�projects�are�produced�in�cooperation�with�the�Colorado�Department�of�Agriculture,�
other�state�and�federal�agencies,�Colorado�commodity�groups,�Colorado�agricultural�associations,�state�universities�and�colleges�and�interested�individuals.�Colorado Readers are�provided�free�to�educators�requesting�them.�
For�more�information�contact:�Bette�Blinde,�Director,�Colorado�Foundation�for�Agriculture,�P.o.�Box�10,�livermore,�Co�80536�or�phone�(970)�881-2902.�Financial�support�for�this�reader�has�been�graciously�provided�by�
Colorado�Beef�Council,�Colorado�CattleWomen.�Written�by�Carrie�Jordan.�lllustrated�and�designed�by�Carrie�Jordan
How many balls can be made from one cow hide?144 Baseballs 18 Volleyballs 20 Footballs 12 Basketballs 18 Soccer balls
There are 72 footballs used in the Super Bowl each year. How many cowhides does it taketo produce those footballs?
Word Scramble
Unscramble the following words ofwell-known agricultural products:
T E M A
L I K M
H A T W E
R O C N
G A B S L E V E T E
T I R U F
CHALLENGE Word Scramble
Unscramble the following words of lesswell-known agricultural products.Remember aquaculture is part ofagriculture.
L I T A P A I
R U M O O S H M S
M I P R H S
S H E B R
R A S H M I R C R T E E
6
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � �
� � � � � � � �
13 6
10 12
9 7
This is a magic square. If youadd the numbers across arow, down a column ordiagonally, the sum is alwaysthe same.
The sum of this magic squareis _____.
Fill in the squares below tomake it a magic square.
9 2 7
4 6 8
5 10 3 E W E F A R M E R XL N N H Z G O R C XB S V C C V I U O SA T I A D M E T N YD N R O U S J L S KA E O Y V K P U U RR I N A E L H C M AG R M F T T O I E NE T E O E R T R R CD U N J R E O G Y HO N T E I C S A Y EI T T D N U Y Y G RB U W K A D N J R UB J E U R O T G E UC O Q Q I R H T N GV T X S A P E Y E DT L H N N N S R C WN R S U N L I G H TJ N E R U T S A P EN I A H C D O O F F
WORD SEARCH • WORD SEARCH Find�the�following�words�in�the�word�search�below.�
AGRICULTUREBIODEGRADABLECONSUMERENERGYENVIRONMENTFARMERFOODCHAIN
NUTRIENTSPASTUREPHOTOSYNTHESISPRODUCERRANCHERSUNLIGHTVETERINARIAN
C o l o R A D o � F o u n D A T I o n � F o R � A G R I C u l T u R e � � / � w w w . g r o w i n g y o u r f u t u r e . c o m 7
Most�farms�and�ranches�in�the�unitedStates�are�family�owned�and�operated.�Whatdoes�it�take�to�be�a�farmer�or�rancher?�Ittakes�people�who�care.�People�who�care�fortheir�environment,�their�families,�theirbuildings,�their�land�and�water,�and�the�foodthey�produce.�When�you�ride�down�the�roador�highway�and�see�cattle�grazing�in�apasture,�you�are�probably�witnessing�afamily�farm�or�ranch�in�action.�Most�beefcalves�are�born�and�raised�on�family-ownedfarms�and�ranches,�and�the�farmers�orranchers�that�own�beef�cattle�are�called�beefproducers.�The�family�is�involved�in�caringfor�their�cattle,�land,�fences,�and�buildingsevery�day.�Their�life�revolves�around�caringfor�their�animals.A�pregnant�cow�carried�its�calf�for�9
months.�Farmers�and�ranchers�watch�thecows�very�carefully�when�they�are�about�togive�birth�(calve.)�If�the�cow�has�troublegiving�birth,�it�is�helped�by�the�owner�andsometimes�an�animal�doctor�(veterinarian)�iscalled.�When�a�calf�is�born,�it�weighs�50�to100�pounds.�While�calves�can�be�born�year�round,
most�farmers�and�ranchers�will�try�to�avoidhaving�calves�born�in�the�coldest�part�of�thewinter�because�of�the�possibility�of�badweather,�such�as�a�blizzard.�After�the�calf�isborn,�the�beef�producer�makes�sure�that�thecalf�stand�and�gets�milk�(nurses)�from�thecow.�The�first�milk�that�a�cow�producesprotects�the�calf�from�getting�sick�until�itsown�immune�system�can�develop.When�calves�are�young,�they�mainly�get
nutrition�from�milk.�Calves�will�begin�tonibble�on�grass,�but�it�will�be�a�while�beforethey�can�eat�all�of�the�foods�that�adult�cattleeat.�Beef�calves�stay�with�their�mothers�untilthey�do�not�require�milk�anymore.�At�thatpoint,�the�calves�weigh�450�to�700�pounds.At�all�times,�beef�producers�make�sure�thereis�plenty�of�fresh,�clean�water�for�the�cattleto�drink�and�enough�healthy�plants�in�thepasture�to�eat.�If�there�are�not�enough�plants
in�the�pasture�for�cattle�to�eat,�the�farmer�orrancher�brings�them�extra�food,�such�as�haybales,�which�is�grass�that�is�cut,�dried�andbundled�up�(baled)�in�the�summer�andstored.�During�the�winter�when�grass�is�notgrowing,�the�cattle�are�fed�hay.�The�farmersand�ranchers�also�give�the�cattle�salt�blocksand�minerals�to�keep�them�healthy,�muchlike�the�vitamins�and�minerals�children�maytake.�Just�as�important�as�caring�for�theiranimals,�farmers�and�ranchers�care�for�theenvironment�where�they�raise�their�cattle.�Itis�so�important�to�them�because�it�is�thesame�environment�in�which�they�raise�theirown�children�who,�one�day,�will�take�overthe�farm�or�ranch.When�the�cattle�are�600-800�pounds,
most�will�be�sold�at�an�auction�market.However,�the�best�females�may�be�kept�bythe�rancher�and�used�to�produce�morecalves.�At�the�auction�market,�the�buyersbid�against�each�other�until�one�buyer�iswilling�to�pay�more�than�anyone�else.every�rancher�knows,�the�best�cattle�bringthe�most�money,�so�beef�producers�strive�to�raise�the�healthiest�and�highest�quality�cattle.
After�the�auction�market,�most�animalsare�shipped�to�a�feedlot�or�a�grass-fedoperations,�by�a�truck.�At�arrival�at�afeedlot,�cattle�are�carefully�watched�andgiven�an�ID�number�that�will�be�used�tohelp�track�the�cattle.�The�people�who�workat�the�feedlot�keep�very�good�records�of�allthe�animals�they�care�for.�A�veterinarianwatches�the�cattle�closely�and�givesmedicine�if�cattle�get�sick.�In�a�feedlot,cattle�are�put�into�pens�where�they�eatspecial�diets�made�mostly�of�corn�and�cornproducts�along�with�hay,�vitamins�andminerals.�At�about�18-22�months�or�whenthe�animal�weighs�1,200�to�1,400�pounds,they�are�considered�finished�and�can�be�processed.�Some�of�the�cattle�may�be�raised�for
grass-fed�beef,�meaning�they�will�continueto�eat�grass�until�they�are�fully�grown�andready�for�market.All�cattle�are�trucked�to�a�processing
plant�and�processed�into�meat.�Inspectorsfrom�the�united�States�Department�ofAgriculture�(uSDA)�check�to�make�suresafety�practices�are�upheld�and�that�themeat�produced�is�safe�to�eat.
Write <, >, or = to compare the fractions below. Drawpictures or write equivalent fractions, if you need to.
4 5__ __8 8
7 2__ __8 4
6 5__ __11 11
2 2__ __3 6
7 1__ __14 2
2 5__ __5 10
1 8__ __2 12
3 1__ __6 2
4 4__ __7 14
Producing Beef With Care
8