What is Agriculture?

All the products and services

associated with the food and

fiber system.

Why is Agriculture Important?

Agriculture is important because it

provides us with a reliable source of

food, clothing, and shelter.

QUALITY OF LIFE Having adequate supplies of the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter

The ag industry provides the food and fiber required by people

Agriculture allows people to enjoy a higher quality of life

Americans spend 11% of their total income on food

People spend 70% in some other countries

Agriculture allows Americans to spend more money on clothing shelter, and entertainment

Quality of Life

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

American agriculture helps provide food and fiber for many people in other countries

International trade is the buying and selling of commodities by two or more nations

EXPORTS Exports are goods sold to another country

Corn, soybeans, and wheat are examples of important American agriculture exports

The success of American agriculture is largely dependent on its exports

IMPORTS Commodities bought from other countries are called imports

Major American imports are bananas, coffee, shrimp, and vanilla

Good jobs help people enjoy a better quality of life as well

The American agriculture industry provides jobs for about 16 out of every 100 people.

This is higher than any other industry in the country

WHAT ROLE DOES AGRICULTURE PLAY IN BASIC HUMAN NUTRITION?

Today, one American farmer feeds over 140 people

Consumers have a year-round, wide variety of inexpensive, quality foods to choose from

We don’t always make nutritious choices

What are the areas of Agriculture?

ENVIRONMENTALSCIENCE

ANIMALSCIENCE

AGRONOMY

HORTICULTURE

AGRIBUSINESS

AGRICULTUREMECHANICS

Forestry, Conservation, Wildlife Management, Outdoor RecreationNutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, Veterinary MedicinePlant breeding, Pest management, Genetics, Soil Conservation, Fertilizer Development Greenhouse Management, Floriculture, Nursery, Landscape, TurfSales, Finance, Customer Service, Public RelationsEngines, Electricity, Surveying, Carpentry, Welding, Hydraulics, Plumbing

PRODUCTION Farmer, Rancher, Grower

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTA

L SCIENCE?

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE IS… The study of the environment and humans’

impact on it.Forestry: wood, paper, recreation, astheticsWildlife: Recreation, natural balance, food/clothing,

reserchEcology: healthy planet, good water supply, clean

airNatural Resource Management: supply minerals

and fuels (coal, oil, etc)

CAREERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE INCLUDE… Conservation officer Ecologist Forester Park Ranger Wildlife Biologist Environmental Engineer Game Warden Oil/Coal/Mineral Miner

WHAT IS ANIMAL SCIENCE?

ANIMAL SCIENCE IS… The study of animals for their meat, hair/fur,

products, or labor.Pigs, cows, chickens raised for meat.Sheep, goats, llamas/alpacas raise for hair.Cows and chickens raised for milk and eggs.Race horses raised for their labor/work.

New area of companion animalRaising animals as pets and/or service

ANIMAL SCIENCE IS… Focused on getting the highest

production from the animals by improving…NutritionReproductionGeneticsHealth

CAREERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE INCLUDE

Veterinarian Veterinary Technician Veterinary assistant Animal care fields Animal trainer Nutritionist Reproduction

Specialist Cellular Biologist Biochemist

WHAT IS AGRONOMY?

AGRONOMY IS… The study of crops and soils to produce food

and fiber. Broken down into

Plant/Crop Science Improve the crop’s production Improve the crops’ resistance to disease and pests Improve the crop’s resistance to weather

Soil Science Conserve soil Improve soil condition and fertility

CAREERS IN AGRONOMY INCLUDE… Soil Conservationist Soil Scientist Agronomist Crop Scientist Pest Management Specialist Pesticide Researcher/Chemist Geneticist Plant Breeder Microbiologist

WHAT IS HORTICULTURE?

HORTICULTURE IS… The study and culture of plants for food and

beauty. Many areas

Floriculture: Growing cut flowers and potted plants for beauty

Landscape Horticulture: Growing, installing, and maintaining plants in the landscape for beauty

Turf: Growing, installing, and maintaining turf grassOlericulture: Growing and processing vegetables and

small fruits for foodPomology: Growing and processing fruit and nut trees

for foodResearch: Growing plants in a greenhouse for

research

CAREERS IN HORTICULTURE INCLUDE…

Plant breeder Florist Greenhouse manager Greenhouse worker Landscape designer Landscape installer Landscape maintenance Greens keeper Sod Producer

• Fruit/vegetable producer

• Fruit/nut growing• Nursery Producer• Nursery worker• Geneticist• Biologist

WHAT IS AGRIBUSINESS?

AGRICULTURE BUSINESS IS…

The financial and service side of the industry that supports the production of food and fiber.

Areas include:Agriculture Finance: lends and manages moneyAgriculture Sales: sells productsAgriculture Service: sells servicesCustomer Service: deals with helping the customerPublic Relations: deals with creating a better image

CAREERS IN AGRIBUSINESS INCLUDE…

Sales clerk Sales manager Telephone operator Banker Lending agent Crop insurance agent Customer service

representative Public relations consultant

• Agricultural Economist

• Commodities Trader

WHAT IS AGRICULTURE MECHANICS?

AGRICULTURE MECHANICS IS… Anything dealing with the mechanized

and construction side of agriculture. Many areas

Ag Power: Gas and Diesel enginesCarpentry: wood working and constructionWelding: metal working and fabricationSurveying: measuring and leveling landElectricity: Wiring barns and buildings

CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE MECHANICS INCLUDE…

Small engine repair Gas/Diesel mechanic Electrician Plumber General Contractor Surveyor Large Machine Operator Welder machinist

• Agricultural Engineer

WHAT IS AGRICULTURE

PRODUCTION?

AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION IS… The growing of plants or raising of

animals for food, fiber, and shelter. Types of production

Crop: cereal grains, oil crops, fiber crops, other

Animal: cattle, swine, poultry, horses, sheep, goats, llamas, fish, etc.

AGRICULTURE IN ILLINOIS

FARMLAND About 75% of the land in Illinois is used

for agriculture.Of that 90% is for crops8000,000 acres of corn5000,000 acres of soybeans

(2005 statistics)

ILLINOIS AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION

Nationally1st in pumpkins and horseradish2nd in corn and soybeans3rd in popcorn4th in snap beans and pork7th in winter wheat and sorghum8th in peaches11th in oats

ILLINOIS AGRICULTURE Home of

Libby (canned pumpkin)Chicago Stock exchange (commodities trading)DeKalb Genetics (Seed developer and distributor)McDonalds (world’s largest fast food chain)Dairy QueenNabiscoAbe LincolnRonald Regan