Unit 1: Introduction to Agriculture
Objectives
1.1 Define terminology
1.2 Determine the impact of agriculture on Arkansas' economy.
(rice, soybeans, broilers, forest products, and jobs)
1.3 List and describe the three major areas of the agricultural
industry. (supplies & services, production agriculture, and
marketing & processing)
1.4 Discuss changes that have come about in agriculture due to
technology. (genetic engineering, GPS, and computerized
equipment)
1.5 Explain the importance of agriculture in meeting human
needs. (food, fiber and shelter)
1.1 Define Terms
1. Agribusiness systems -- industries including sales, services, farm &
ranch management, entrepreneurship and economics
2. Agriculture -- activities concerned with the production of plants
and animals and the related supplies, services, mechanics,
products, processing and marketing
3. Animal systems -- industries including production animals, small
animals, wildlife and research animals
4. Biotechnology systems -- the management of biological systems
for the benefit of humans, including cloning, gene transfer and
other technologies
5. Environmental service systems -- industries including pollution
prevention, water and air quality, hazardous materials, solid waste
management, health and safety sanitation
1.1 Define Terms
6.Food products & processing systems -- industries including
food processing, preserving, packaging, distribution,
government monitoring and regulation
7.Natural resources systems -- industries including habitat
conservation, forest products, parks and recreation, mining,
environmental services, fisheries and soil conservation
8.Plant systems -- industries including agronomics,
horticulture, forestry, turf, viticulture and soils
9.Power, structural & technical systems -- industries including
power, structures, controls, geospatial technology, computer
systems, electronics, hydraulics and pneumatics
1.2 Determine the impact of
agriculture on Arkansas' economy.
(rice, soybeans, broilers, forest
products, and jobs)
Identify where Arkansas ranks in
production for the following products:
Commodity
Rice
Soybeans
Broilers
Forest Products
Cotton
Turkeys
Beef Cattle
Hogs
Place
1st
10th
2nd
5th
3rd
3rd
Not in Top 10
Not in Top 10
Top 5 Agricultural Commodities
produced by the United States
Commodity
1.Corn
Value of receipts
thousand $
51,550,748
2. Cattle and Calves
48,189,205
3. Dairy Products
34,772,735
4. Soybeans
29,058,111
5. Broilers
23,112,184
1.3 List and describe major areas of
the agricultural industry
1. Production Agriculture

Farmer or Cattle Rancher
2. Supplies and Services
 Veterinarian or Feed
Company
3. Marketing and Processing
 Wal-Mart or Country Mart
The Four P’s of Marketing Agricultural
Products
 Place
 Product
 Promotion
 Price
1.4 Discuss changes that have come
about in agriculture due to technology
(genetic engineering, GPS, and
computerized equipment)
Think about this….
In the mid-1700s, about 90
percent of Americans were
farmers. Today, roughly 2
percent of the American
population is engaged in
production agriculture.
Discuss the changes that have came about
in Agriculture due to technology
 Genetic engineering is one aspect of biotechnology.
Some benefits of genetically engineered or modified
organisms have improved disease and insect resistance,
longer shelf lives, added nutritional value, and herbicide
tolerance.
 The purpose of a chemical fertilizer is to mimic
nutrients found in plants by synthetically manufacturing
them from inorganic substances.
Changes In Agriculture
 Improved varieties of corn were developed through hybridization.
These varieties were more vigorous growing and more resistant to
pests and diseases.
 Mechanization allowed for more work to be done in a
smaller amount of time.
Changes In Agriculture
 Integrated Pest Management or Chemical pesticides (to
control insects, diseases, and weeds) and chemical
fertilizers increased yields.
 Precision Farming using Global Positioning System
(GPS) satellites and Geographic Information Systems
enabled site-specific farming.
Changes In Agriculture
 Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy
for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment,
is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage
to the farmer, and supports and enhances rural communities.
1.5 Explain the importance of
agriculture in meeting human needs
Basic Human Needs Provided
by Agriculture
 Food is provides the nutrition that helps the body grow,
repair itself, and reproduce.
 Fiber is a long, threadlike structure used to make

clothing and shelter. Fibers may be natural or synthetic.
Shelter is housing for humans. Many products used in
providing shelter are produced through forestry.
Plant and Animal Products
Review
1.1 Define terminology
1.2 Determine the impact of agriculture on Arkansas' economy.
(rice, soybeans, broilers, forest products, and jobs)
1.3 List and describe the three major areas of the agricultural
industry. (supplies & services, production agriculture, and
marketing & processing)
1.4 Discuss changes that have come about in agriculture due to
technology. (genetic engineering, GPS, and computerized
equipment)
1.5 Explain the importance of agriculture in meeting human
needs. (food, fiber and shelter)