Feeding the World – Part 1
FFA Blue 365: Lesson 3 “Feeding the World–Part 1” is an agricultural education lesson that introduces students to the concepts of feeding the world and food insecurity. Through a video, FAO and Feeding America websites, and a series of worksheets, students define food insecurity, examine its key elements, and investigate the impact of food insecurity and food consumption at the global, national, and local levels. The lesson includes extension activities (an agriscience fair project, infographic, service project, Ted Talk, and written report) and connects food security challenges to agricultural careers via AgExplorer.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Define the following concepts: feeding the world and food insecurity.
- Illustrate the concept of feeding the world.
- Examine four key elements to food insecurity and food consumption.
- Investigate the impact of food insecurity and food consumption at the global, national and local levels.
- Compare and contrast food insecurity issues in global, state and local regions.
- Time required
- 90 minutes
- Materials
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- Internet access to play the videos in real time or embed them in a PowerPoint
- A copy of the "Fundamentals of Feeding the World" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "Feeding Insecurity Basics" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "Feeding the World Globally" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "Feeding the World Nationally" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "Feeding the World Locally" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "Feeding the World Superheroes" worksheet for each student
- Colored pens/markers
- Blank paper
- Resources
- 1. Video: "Feeding the World," (Alltech, 2011). 2. Website: "State of Food Security and Nutrition Around the World," (FAO, 2018). 3. Website: "Hunger in America," (Feeding America, 2018). 4. Website: "Food Insecurity in the United States," (Feeding America, 2018). 5. Website: "Agriscience Fair," (National FFA Organization, 2018). 6. Website: "Farm Journal Foundation," (Farm Journal Foundation, 2025). 7. Website: AgExplorer (AgExplorer, 2018).
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Communication; Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Global Awareness; Information, Communications, and Technology Literacy; Think Creatively
- This quick lesson plan would work well as an
- 1. Companion lesson for agriculture issues or world hunger. 2. Introduction to food security. 3. Introduction to critical issues in agriculture. 4. Introduction to innovations in agriculture. 5. Introduction to technology in agriculture.
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
- CRP.05Consider the environmental, social and economic impact of decisions.
- CRP.06Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
- CRP.07Employ valid and reliable research strategies. Career-ready individuals are discerning in accepting and using new information to make decisions, change practices or inform strategies.
- CRP.08Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem.
AFNR Cluster Skills
- CS.02Evaluate the nature and scope of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster and the role of agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR) in society and the economy.
- CS.05Describe career opportunities and means to achieve those opportunities in each of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources career pathways.
- CS.06Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing and management of food, fiber and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.
AFNR Performance Element
- CS.01Analyze how issues, trends, technologies and public policies impact systems in the agriculture, food & natural resources career cluster.
Common Career Technical Core
- AG1Analyze how issues, trends, technologies and public policies impact systems in the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster.
- AG2Evaluate the nature and scope of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster and the role of agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR) in society and the economy.
- AG5Describe career opportunities and means to achieve those opportunities in each of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Pathways.
- AG6Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing, and management of food, fiber, and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Common Core – Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects: Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9.10.7Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form (e.g., a table or chart) and translate information expressed visually or mathematically (e.g., in an equation) into words.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.6Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology's capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.
Common Core – Reading: Informational Text
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.1Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.2Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.3Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.8Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claim or a recommendation for solving a scientific or technical problem.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.2Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
Common Core – Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
FFA Precept
- FFA.CS-MCommunication: Effectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.CS-NDecision Making: Analyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.
- FFA.PL-AAction: Assume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
- FFA.PL-CVision: Visualize the future and how to get there.
Green/Sustainability Knowledge and Skill Statements
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 2Analyze community practice or policy development related to sustainability in AFNR.
NASDCTEc
- AGC09.02Select, research and examine critical aspects of career opportunities in one or more AFNR career pathways in order to gain an understanding of the breadth of occupations within this cluster.
- AGC10.03Compare and contrast issues affecting the AFNR industry including biotechnology, employment, safety, environmental and animal welfare to demonstrate an understanding of the trends and issues important to careers in this industry.
Next Generation Science
- HS-ETS1-3Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.