Welcome to Science!

Miss FedelesFebruary 14, 2012

ScienceWeek 21 – Day 103 – pg. 97

What kind of farms do you see in Pennsylvania?

Objectives

• Today you will:– Identify common animals found on Pennsylvania

farms– Identify common plants found on Pennsylvania

farms– Identify three different types of farming found in

Pennsylvania

Getting Readypg. 98

• For many years before settlers arrived in the New World, Native Americans planted corn, squash, and beans together because they grew well together. These plants became known as “Three Sisters”.

PA Farmspg. 99

• Farming has been very important in

Pennsylvania history.

• Early pioneers from Germany planted

1. Corn2. Oats3. Wheat4. Clover 5. Rye6. Barley7. Potatoes8. Fruit9. Hay

PA farmspg. 99

• Farms began to improve due to new technology and were able to ship products all over the country.

• The farms were able to expand and offer more products.

PA farmspg. 99

• Dairy farming is the number one activity on Pennsylvania farms and is common in the northwestern and southwestern parts of the state.

PA is the fourth largest producer of milk and ice

cream in the United States!

Animals and crops on PA farmspg. 100

Common crops on PA farms• Apples• Grapes• Beans• Peas• Berries• Broccoli• Whole grains• Mushrooms• Maple sugar

Common livestock or animals on PA farms

• Horse• Duck• Chicken• Goat• Pigs• Alpaca• Rabbits• Ostrich

Tree farms are also very popular in PA.

Let’s visit a farm!

This is a very large farm in Lancaster County, PA. This farm produces dairy products and eggs that are

sold all over PA.

Hydroponics farmingpg. 108

In 1930 a farming technique called hydroponics was created. In hydroponics farming nutrients are delivered through water instead of

the soil.

• The plant nutrients are supplied in liquid nutrient solutions, and plants are supported with porous materials such as sand, gravel, or peat.

Hydroponics farming• The idea of hydroponic farming is that plants do not need soil to obtain

nutrients. Some of the best nutrients for plants are actually found in water.• Hydroponics farming is gaining

popularity in Israel because the majority of Israel is a desert with little water.

• Plants grown in hydroponic greenhouses in Israel allow for better temperature and water control.

• This method allows plants to be produced out of season and in areas where either the soil or climate are not favorable for plant growth. An example of this is in the Middle East.

Organic farmingpg. 110

• Organic farming is the growth of crops without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and plant growth hormones.

• Organic farming relies on:1. composting2. crop rotation3. biological pest control.

Organic farming gained popularity in the 1930’s and 1940’s as the dependence on farming techniques that used more and more manmade chemicals grew.

Organic farming is to improve the quality of the soil using natural means to achieve a better product and to create a

system that models nature as closely as possible.

How do they do that?1. Crop rotation 2. Green manure3. Cover cropping4. Mulching

Pests and Organic Farming

• Plant and insect pests are addressed in a natural way.

• Crops are selected based on the type of pest that attacks the plants, and natural enemies of the insect are often introduced to combat the

problem.

Why buy organic?

• It is healthier because it is natural. Pesticides accumulate in the body, therefore, the more fruits and vegetables eaten that are not organic the higher your risk of diseases caused by these chemicals.

Factory farmingpg. 111

Factory farming is…• The process in which many

animals are killed to turn the most profit.

• These animals are not seen as living organisms and just a product to be killed to make money.

“Fatten them up”• Animals are often fed

hormones to “fatten them up” quickly and are forced to live in tight spaces with no freedom to move.

• This unnatural cycle harms the animal and is a very cruel practice. These farms can also breed disease and bacteria because of the dirty environment in which the animals live.

Closure

• In a note, send my one plant and one animal that can be found on a farm in Pennsylvania.

Independent Practice

No homework!

Have a great day!