Sustainable agriculture

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/sustainable-agriculture

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the foundational pillars?Environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social equity
2. What is the key scientific discipline?Agroecology, which applies ecological principles to agricultural systems
3. Why is sustainable agriculture important for the planet?It helps the planet by keeping soil healthy, saving water, and protecting animals and plants. Healthy soil can hold carbon, which reduces the amount of greenhouse gases in the air.
4. How do farmers keep soil healthy in sustainable farming?Farmers rotate crops, use natural fertilizers like animal manure, and plant different crops together. These practices keep the soil rich and reduce the need for chemicals.

Agroecology: The application of ecological principles to the design and management of sustainable agroecosystems.
Conservation Tillage: Farming methods that minimize soil disturbance to preserve soil structure and health.
Regenerative Agriculture: A system of farming principles and practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds, and enhances ecosystem services.