Lesson 1 – What Is Sustainable Agriculture?
“What Is Sustainable Agriculture?” is an FFA/Valent USA lesson plan that introduces students to the concept of sustainability within the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Value Chain. Through a bell ringer video, brainstorming, research posters, a gallery walk, and an exit ticket, students learn to identify characteristics of sustainable agriculture practices and apply those concepts (using a trail mix product example) to product development. The resource includes student worksheets, a poster rubric, and answer keys.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Identify the characteristics of sustainable agriculture practices.
- Identify sustainable practices utilized by Valent USA.
- Give examples of sustainable agriculture practices in use.
- Apply the concepts of sustainable agriculture practices to the development of a product.
- Time required
- 120 minutes
- Materials
-
- A copy of the "What Is Sustainability?" worksheet for each student
- Poster paper
- Markers
- Internet access
- A copy of the "Sustainable Practices Gallery Walk" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "Learning Pyramid Exit Ticket" worksheet for each student
- Created
- 02/2020 by the National FFA Organization
- Resources
- 1. Sustainable Agriculture Practices, https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/sustainable-farming-practices.php; 2. Valent USA, https://youtu.be/zjcMn0QttOU; 3. Agricultural Sustainability Institute, https://asi.ucdavis.edu/programs/ucsarep/about/what-is-sustainable-agriculture
- This Quick Lesson Plan Would Work Well As
- An introduction to sustainability.
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- 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.
- CRP.10Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals. Career-ready individuals take personal ownership of their own educational and career goals, and they regularly act on a plan to attain these goals.
- CRP.11Use technology to enhance productivity. Career-ready individuals find and maximize the productive value of existing and new technology to accomplish workplace tasks and solve workplace problems.
AFNR Cluster Skills
- CS.04Demonstrate stewardship of natural resources in AFNR activities.
Common Core – Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects: Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9.10.4Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- 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-M.CommunicationEffectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.PG-J.Mental GrowthEmbrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
- FFA.PL-A.ActionAssume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
FFA Precepts
- FFA.CS-N.Decision MakingAnalyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.
Green/Sustainability Knowledge and Skill Statements
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 2Analyze community practice or policy development related to sustainability in AFNR.
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 3Communicate the impact of green and sustainability principles on agriculture, food and natural resource systems.
- AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 7Demonstrate an understanding of green and sustainability trends that are impacting processes and markets in AFNR.