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#SpeakAg Dialogues: What Holds the Best Potential for the Future of American Food Production?


Lesson Plans & Curriculum
45 minutes

This quick lesson plan from the National FFA Organization centers on the “#SpeakAg Dialogues” video “What holds the best potential for the future of American food production?” Students explore conventional versus organic farming perspectives, practice active listening and persuasive communication skills, and complete an accompanying worksheet, debate, and reflection activities. It works well as part of an introductory agriculture, public relations, or agricultural business lesson.

At a glance

Learning objectives
  • Classify varying perspectives on issues impacting the agricultural industry.
  • Demonstrate effective communication strategies to persuade other.
Time required
45 minutes
Materials
  • Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
  • A copy of the "#SpeakAg Dialogues: How should America prioritize farmland?" worksheet
Partnership for 21st Century Skills
Communication; Information Literacy; Collaboration
Resources
Website: FFA.org/literacy-and-advocacy; Video: #SpeakAg Dialogues: What holds the best potential for the future of American food production? (https://vimeo.com/260416554/cd46154f37)
This Quick Lesson Plan Would Work Well As Part Of
An introductory agriculture lesson; A public relations lesson; An agricultural business lesson.
Created
02/2018 by the National FFA Organization

Download Video

#SpeakAg Dialogues | What holds the best potential for the future of American food production?

A panel discussion from the National FFA Organization’s #SpeakAg Dialogues series, where an agricultural journalist moderates a conversation with two farmers—Jared Luman, a Minnesota organic crop and beef farmer, and Jeremy Brown, a Texas cotton farmer who grows both conventional and organic crops—about the future of American food production. The farmers argue against a strict organic-versus-conventional binary, advocating instead for a third option of regenerative agriculture that combines practices like no-till farming, cover crops, and composting to balance profitability with environmental stewardship. They also stress how farming practices must vary by region and emphasize the importance of farmers communicating with consumers to bridge the disconnect between producers and the public.

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.

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.

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.

Common Core – Writing

  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
  • 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.PG-JMental Growth: Embrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
  • FFA.PL-AAction: Assume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.

NASDCTEc

  • 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.

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