Introduction

The Project Food, Land & People Conceptual Framework serves as the skeletal structure to hold together seven comprehensive ideas from agricultural awareness to responsible food, land and people decision making for both today and the future. The framework outline, with its content subdivisions, identifies topics used by teachers and educators in creating FLP's instructional lessons.

I. Awareness and appreciation of food, land and people.
(Survival is dependent upon how well people manage natural resources.)

A. The nature of the interaction among food, land and people determines the quality of life.

1. The human population is already large and continues to grow, creating increased demands upon earth's resources.
2. A healthy environment is necessary for human life and supports the production of adequate food supplies.
3. All plants, including agricultural crops and trees, benefit from the quality of the air.
4. Sufficient quantity and variety of food, clothing and shelter at an affordable price is necessary to maintaining a satisfying lifestyle.

B. Humans have the ability to alter ecosystems for their own purposes.

1. People change ecosystems in order to gain perceived benefits, such as agricultural products, home sites and transportation systems.
2. Food and clothing often include products from many ecosystems.
3. Human societies with greater technological development can have a more rapid and profound impact upon the earth's ecosystems.
4. People often bring materials from one ecosystem into another to modify production of food, fiber and other agricultural products.

C. Earth contains many ecosystems which are supported by four basic resources.

1. Sunlight, air, water and soil are the basic natural resources needed to sustain most forms of life.
2. In each geographic area, the combination of sunlight, air, water and soil creates an environment which plants and animals impact upon and adapt to, thus forming a complex ecosystem.
3. Air, water, soil and climate vary geographically.
4. A healthy ecosystem supports diversity of life forms.
5. In general, land-based ecosystems vary considerably in the amount and diversity of life they support. The tropical ecosystems (warm and moist) sustain the greatest and the arctic ecosystems (cold and dry) the fewest numbers and kinds of living things.
6. The earth's land base and water supply is fixed in its kind and amount.

D. Within an ecosystem, all living things are interdependent and interrelated.

1. All living things are affected by and interact with their environment.
2. Either directly or indirectly, humans and animals depend upon plants.
3. Food chains range from very simple to very complex.
4. An ecosystem contains many habitats.

E. A local ecosystem changes with time. These changes impact life within the system.

1. Change is a natural occurrence within every ecosystem.
2. Large-scale natural events may cause ecosystems to change very rapidly.
3. Many people and animals move among several ecosystems during their lives.

F. Human decisions are sometimes negated by nature.

1. Climatic changes and weather influence food, land and people.
2. Natural events, such as volcanos, earthquakes, droughts and floods, affect living conditions.
3. Biological events, such as disease and epidemics, impact plant, animal and human populations.
4. There are many subtle and slow-acting forces, such as soil erosion and mutations in insects, that affect ecosystems.

II. Historical perspectives of food, land and people.
(Throughout history, society has been dependent upon agriculture.)

A. Agriculture has given rise to civilization.

1. Agrarian and hunter-gatherer cultures resulted from different food-gathering techniques.
   1. Hunter/gatherer societies tended to be limited in population size and in the degree of technological development.
   2. Agrarian societies had more time to develop the arts, sciences, and other areas of culture.
   3. Agrarian societies fostered larger populations of people, forming communities.
2. The relationship of water to land has been decisive in establishing civilizations.
   1. Cities first developed along waterways that offered fertile soil and transportation.
   2. The availability of water has greatly influenced a culture's development.
   3. Humankind will face new challenges with respect to water quality, quantity and availability. These will result from human population growth and its impacts, diverse soil types, soil uses and diverse climates.
3. Land management has determined the productivity of agriculture and the fate of societies.
   1. Successful agriculture provided a dependable supply of food, clothing, and shelter, resulting in population growth, expansion and national strength.
   2. Societies with successful agriculture apply land use and conservation practices that improve, regenerate or reclaim soils.
   3. Lack of understanding or disregard for soil and water resulted in a loss of land fertility and productivity.
   4. The decline of agricultural systems has resulted in the collapse of past societies.
   5. To properly manage and conserve soil, one must understand the capabilities and limitations of each particular soil.

B. Accelerating growth of the human population has been a significant environmental issue on planet earth.

1. The world's human population reached 1 billion in 1800, 2 billion in 1930 and 4 billion in 1975.
2. If the trend in population growth continues, inadequate food production and distribution will likely increase the amount of world hunger.
3. The earth's capacity to sustain and renew itself must be managed and supplemented by human wisdom and ingenuity.

C. Agricultural development has been influenced by political, social, cultural, and technological factors.

1. Humans selected and domesticated plants and animals to produce more food and fiber.
2. Humans learned to control and distribute water, which allowed significant increases in agricultural productivity.
3. Agriculture was labor-intensive before modern machines and chemicals were invented and still is labor-intensive in non-industrialized countries. In these places, the majority of people reside in rural areas and cities are smaller.
4. The industrial revolution produced machines and chemicals which increased productivity.
5. Population growth caused land to be converted from agriculture to other uses.
6. Plant and animal breeding and genetic engineering resulted in new strains and higher productivity.
7. Food availability has been enhanced by technological developments in production, storage, preservation, sanitation and distribution.

III. Agricultural base of food, land and people. (People use plants and animals in a wide variety of ways to obtain food, fiber, shelter and other benefits.)

A. Many and varied plants and animals are fundamental to agriculture.

1. Plants are primary producers and have varying life spans - from moments to centuries.
   1. Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in less than a year. Most field crops and some horticultural crops are annuals or are grown as annuals: corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, wheat.
   2. Biennials are plants which have a two-year life cycle but are often harvested in their first year of growth: onions, cabbage, carrots.
   3. Perennials are plants whose life cycles encompass more than two years: asparagus, trees for fruit and lumber, alfalfa, most lawn grasses.
2. Plants provide us with food, animal feed, medicine, fiber (clothing), shelter, aesthetic needs, recreation, industrial and household products, and oxygen for the atmosphere.
3. Agriculture involves animals from both land and water.
   1. Domestic animals are raised for a variety of purposes.
   2. Wild animals are those that are not tamed or domesticated and come from many difference ecosystems.
4. Animals and their products and by-products provide us with food, feed, medicine, research, fiber, shelter, aesthetic needs, work, recreation, industrial and household products.

B. Wise management and group conservation practices reduce or prevent soil, water and air degradation. These practices improve plant and animal yields.

1. Land management requires scientific knowledge and an understanding of ecosystems.
   1. Soil tillage includes many processes that vary by crop, region and society.
   2. Erosion control is a primary management goal to ensure sustained productivity of the soil and prevent air and water degradation.
   3. A variety of methods are used to improve or maintain soil fertility, recycle organic matter, improve soil-water relations, etc.
   4. A healthy plant cover benefits soil through erosion control, adding organic matter and maintaining soil microbial action. The destruction of the plant cover, whether caused by human kind or natural forces, can have a devastating effect on both the local ecosystem and the planet.
   5. Land capability classification is an important part of preventing misuse of lands. For example, much of the land used for grazing should not be utilized for more intensive crop production due to steep slopes, soil types, rainfall, etc.
2. Water management varies with geography and significantly affects agricultural production and the environment.
   1. People manage water supplies to remove excesses through drainage or to supplement shortages through irrigation.
   2. The control and distribution of water by humans impacts water quality and quantity.
   3. Water conservation methods vary and help ensure adequate supplies for production and human use.
3. Plant management affects quality and yields.
   1. Plant populations are related to yields per acre and quality of product.
   2. Harvesting techniques vary by crop, region and society.
   3. Crop rotation affects soil tilth and fertility.
   4. Pollination is essential to many fruit, nut and seed crops.
   5. Crop site selection is dependent upon several factors, including temperature, rainfall, microclimate, soil type and topography.
   6. Windbreaks have multiple purposes in crop production.
   7. Grazing systems are important plant management tools in livestock systems.
4. Animal management is the application of scientific knowledge and technical skills to provide for animal health and productivity.
   1. Selective breeding may provide more productive and/or hardier animals.
   2. Proper care of animals results in healthier animals and provides greater satisfaction for persons who raise animals.
   3. Beneficial insects and soil organisms increase their activity in a healthy ecosystem.
5. est management strategies may enhance crop yields and animal health but may create serious environmental problems associated with improper use.
   1. Cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical means are used to control weeds, insects and disease.
   2. Integrated Pest Management uses one or more control methods (cultural, mechanical, biological or chemical) together with inventories of insect populations and distribution to decrease both the cost and environmental impact of pest control.

C. Agricultural production systems vary according to geography, environment and traditions.

1. Some production systems yield only plant products.
2. Some production systems yield mainly animal products.
3. Diversified production systems involve both plants and animals.

IV. Economics of food, land and people. (Agricultural systems meet fundamental human needs and are often the foundation of a nation's economics.)

A. Agricultural production influences the economies of local, national and global communities.

1. An efficient food production and distribution system is essential for societies to expand and flourish.
2. A limited natural resource base creates a need for nations to trade with one another.
3. Not all countries grow enough food for their people.
4. Leadership, traditions, economic and political factors may create priorities at odds with feeding a country's people.

B. Agricultural products move through many key steps from productions to consumption. The production to consumption system varies from society to society.

1. Agriculture is more than farming and ranching.
   1. Food processing, distribution and marketing are key activities of any agricultural system.
   2. Advanced agricultural systems rely on the coordinated actions of many related businesses.
2. Agriculture is the world's leading source of employment.
   1. In more developed countries, there are careers in food production, processing storage, marketing, transportation and research.
   2. In lesser developed countries, agriculture is conducted primarily for subsistence and involves a larger percentage of the population solely in food production efforts.
3. Food availability varies from country to country.
   1. In more complex societies, people have wider choices of food products and are freed from much of the labor of food preparation.
   2. In simpler societies, varieties of foods may be limited and food preparation may consume more time.

C. The interdependence of food, land and people is present in all societies.

1. Supply and demand is an important factor influencing food production.
2. Balance of trade among nations is significantly influenced by agricultural products.
3. World stability, a country's internal stability, and/or political influences are often related to the availability of agricultural goods.

D. The lack of means to buy, barter or produce food is a major cause of world hunger.

1. Inadequate caloric intake and nutritional imbalances are found worldwide.
2. Economic and political policies can be at the root of hunger.
3. In many countries, the limited technology for growing, gathering, storing and transporting food is a major factor in maintaining an adequate food supply.

E. Changes in agricultural systems are made in response to social, economic and environmental conditions.

1. Scientific research and development provides opportunities for the improvement of agricultural efficiency and production.
2. The intervention of governments, nationally and internationally, impacts agriculture's ability to sustain human needs.
3. Human lifestyles and health needs influence changes in agricultural production, processing, distribution and marketing.
4. Societal changes and demands impact agricultural products and land use.
5. Abundance and variety of food affects human life.

F. Conservation practices are often a long-term investment.

1. Limited returns from some conservation practices often prevents their application.
2. Short-term returns are needed to meet production costs of an agricultural enterprise.
3. Incentive programs are often devised to encourage conservation practices.

V. Images and attitudes about food, land and people. (People's images, attitudes and behaviors create the issues and trends affecting agriculture and the environment.)

A. Human behaviors impact ecosystems.

1. In many areas, demand for land creates conflict among different interest groups.
2. Increasing human populations and developing technologies often require space and activities which alter land use and the environment.
3. Urbanization separates people from direct contact with the natural world. This affects their actions and attitudes toward agriculture and the environment.
4. Land and water management warrant public interest and involvement.

B. Human attitudes place stress on the planet.

1. People with different priorities can cause conflict concerning natural resource management practices.
2. Consumption patterns and consumer preferences in affluent countries place heavy demands on Earth's renewable and nonrenewable resources.
3. onsumption in lesser developed countries may have significant impact on the local environment.
4. Consumer understanding of issues and new technology can result in better use of natural resources.

VI. Decisions about food, land and people.
(Responsible human decisions are necessary to maintain natural resources and healthy lifestyles.)

A. People, as individuals and as members of society, make choices and decisions which affect the environment.

1. Individual and community lifestyle decisions affect agriculture and the environment directly or indirectly.
2. Animal and plant production is directly or indirectly affected by personal and group actions.
3. Personal and community lifestyles can be altered to improve the ecosystem.
4. Individuals and society should evaluate the short- and long-term results of their actions on agriculture and the environment and make necessary changes. This will lead to responsible stewardship.

B. People and governments have a responsibility to maintain the stability of society, which extends to agricultural productivity and environmental protection.

1. Food safety and animal and plant disease control are essential governmental functions to protect human health and safety, as well as to maintain species as a viable part of agriculture.
2. Government supports agricultural research.
3. Government agricultural programs help to assure planning for sound, long-range agricultural production.
4. One educational role for governments is to transmit agricultural research and discovery through information channels.

VII. Food, land and people and the future.
(The future of human existence is dependent upon international cooperation to resolve global problems.)

A. If people are to maintain a food supply, then air quality, usable water supplies and productive soils are global necessities.

1. Air quality and climate may be positively or negatively affected by human action.
2. Water contamination, such as temperature change, chemical and biological contamination and increased salinity can be reduced by human action.
3. Human action may increase or reduce soil erosion, contamination and productivity.
4. Renewable resources can be exploited past the point of regeneration but this can be avoided through conservation.
5. Solid waste disposal and its impact upon land and water will challenge people to develop solutions such as recycling, energy extraction and other appropriate technology.
6. Consumers, in selecting food and other items, should thoughtfully consider the ultimate energy required to make the items available and environmental effects.

B. The continued existence of human society is dependent upon the harmonious interaction of food, land and people through international cooperation.

1. Human actions can reduce the current depletion and extinction of many forms of plant and animal life caused by human population growth and the increased demands upon natural resources.
2. Accelerated growth of human populations influences political, social and economic decisions. These decisions affect food availability and natural resources throughout the world.
3. Human existence depends upon the sustainable output of the earth's grasslands, croplands, forests and aquatic resources.

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