Agricultural Literacy
Agricultural Literacy
Embedded Files
What is "agricultural" literacy?
According to The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, agricultural literacy is defined as: understanding how the agricultural industry works – not just where food comes from, but who grows it, agriculture’s effect on the economy, environment, technology, lifestyle and its relationship to livestock.
With each Science Snack episode, we will bring awareness to key foods and ingredients used in the recipes. We will share information from the production of food (the farmer, rancher or other agricultural producer), to the transportation of the food from farm to store and finally to your plate (the consumer!)
Common Questions about Agriculture
Check out the answers from the The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture on common questions, themes and challenges of American and global agriculture.
Ag Literacy Catalog
Read, watch, listen and learn about agriculture by searching specifically for your wonders and reading level!
Be sure to check out Book Bites page for EPIC! curations of books on food and agriculture.
These resources will help you think and plan what foods you need to eat for healthy choices.
These resources will help you think and plan what foods you need to eat for healthy choices.
FDA-ReadtheLabel-Infographic-English.pdfRead a Nutrition Label!
Read a Nutrition Label!
It helps you make healthy food choices!
And use math in a practical way!
From Farm to Market
From Farm to Market
How does our food get from the grower to the grocery store? Learn more with this infographic.
Episode One - Weather
Episode One - Weather
Citrus
Citrus
Citrus grows in specific climates and soil conditions. Some of the Texas' citrus production is in the Rio Grande Valley. Other parts of the U.S. citrus production are in southern California and Florida. Think about the type of climate each of these States have. Where else in the world could citrus grow? Why do you think that?
Learn more about the amount of US and Texas Citrus production by reading this report.
Citrus Health Info
Citrus Health Info
Oranges and other citrus offer a variety of nutritional value for us. Learn more at WebMD.
How do oranges get to the grocery store?
How do oranges get to the grocery store?
From Grove to Store. Discover more about the distance, with lots of care and handling, oranges/citrus travel to get in get us in Texas.
Growing Citrus in N Texas
Growing Citrus in N Texas
What memories do you have with oranges and other citrus? Check out this one, that inspired a Denton area gardener to grow oranges in her backyard.
The State of Texas Fruit?
The State of Texas Fruit?
Did you know our state fruit is a citrus? It isn't on orange, but the Texas Red Grapefruit!
Here are some common citrus fruits you will find at your local grocery store or farmer's market:
Naval Orange
Texas Red Grapefruit
Mandarins
Lemon
Episode Two - Insects
Episode Two - Insects
Beneficial Insects
Beneficial Insects
Pollinators. Predators. Parasites. OH MY! Those are the three type of beneficial insects for agriculture or gardening. How do you know if it is a good or bad one? How do you even know if it is an insect? Look at the image to the left. An ant, aphids and a lady bug...are the beneficial or a pest?
This farmer shows us his carrot crop and explains what he has to do to reduce pests (the bad bugs) by using the beneficial bug (the good insect). Find out which of the 3 Ps he uses.
What is a "pest"?
What is a "pest"?
A pest is a destructive insect, or other animals, that attacks crops, food and livestock. Check out "Integrated Pest Management"
Discover if these common Texas insects are considered "beneficial" or a "pest' for farmers and gardeners?
Describe to a friend why you think it is good or bad insect!
Lady Beetle
Jumping Spider
Army Worm Moth
Boll Weevil
Episode Three - Butterflies
Episode Three - Butterflies
Grains
Grains
The key food ingredient in our snack we want to learn about are: grains! Our snack, Multi Grain Cheerios, has variety of grains in the ingredients list. The main grain in Cheerios (read the Nutrition label on the box to see the ingredients list) is oats!
If you are interested, learn more about a whole grain with the Oldways Whole Grains Council. And this link tells you more about the various types of oats.
Cheerios Cereal Info
Cheerios Cereal Info
Cereals are one of the most common foods to find grain in! Check out the ingredients!
What foods have grains?
What foods have grains?
Where else can you find grains in your food? Find out more and learn what is a healthy servicing size when choosing whole grains.
Check out a Denton County Flour Mill, producing flour for Morrison's.
Check out how harvested grains are milled into flour - a key ingredient in bread! How flour is made.
Here are some common grains you might find at your local grocery store or farmer's market:
Oats
Whole Grains A - Z
Cheerios: From Oat to Cereal
How to Find Whole Grains
CTE Program Pathway: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR)
CTE Program Pathway: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR)
Learning about where your food comes from have you interested in agricultural careers? Learn more about how Northwest ISD offers these program pathways at Northwest HS, VR Eaton HS and Byron Nelson HS for AFNR:
Animal Sciences Applied Agricultural Engineering Plant Science
Student Organization: FFA
Page updated
Report abuse