GEORGIA AGRICULTURE: The Science of Life

1. GEORGIA AGRICULTURE:The Science of Life By: Donald Gilman Worth County Middle School Sylvester, GA Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office May 2004

2. When you look outside of the traditional role of agriculture (farming),you will find that Georgia Agriculture impacts our daily activities in a large way thru: Economics Careers Environment Technology Science What makes Georgia Agriculture unique?

3. Economics • Agriculture is the #1 industry in the state of Georgia. • The total annual contribution to our state’s economy is $57 billion. • About 16% of the state’s total economic output is from agriculture. • According to the most current Census,______ County had_____ sales of agriculture products.

4. Careers • One in six Georgians works in agriculture,forestry,or an ag related field. • Almost half of the state’s manufacturing jobs are in agribusiness. • Farm and Forestry production sectors represent over 85,000jobs and contributes $7 billon in output.

5. Careers Continued • Food Service industry is responsible for 212,000 jobs and $6.1 billon of output. • Food and fiber processing sector provides 170,000 jobs for Georgians and contributes $31 billion of economic output. • THE BOTTOM LINE IS AGRICULTURE IS $$$$$ TO GEORGIA !

6. Environment • Farmers were the first environmentalist. • Protecting natural resources are foremost in agricultural community. • Agricultural researchers are constantly working to find ways to conserve and protect water. • In the political and legal issues concerning river water usage, agricultural groups are leading the way in conserving this resource.

7. Environment continued • Agriculture researchers continually work on developing plants that require less assistance from herbicides and pesticides. • Improvements in production methods have greatly reduced erosion and have helped to protect our top soil. • All of these factors in combination have put the agricultural sector at the fore front of protecting our environment.

8. Technology • Georgia is the place where technology and resources converge to create a climate conducive to new ideas and innovations. • Through our land grant universities and vocational training facilities, agricultural research has helped develop new technologies.

9. Technology continued • Present experiments with global positioning satellites and on-board computers are proving beneficial as to providing the right amount of materials being applied to crops such as water and fertilizers. • This same technology can be applied to chemical applications to reduce run off.

10. Science • Biotechnology research and development in Georgia continues to lead the nation. • Agriculture R&D in Georgia has become nationally known for developing; more productive crops; better grasses for grazing, golf courses and athletic fields; environmental protection measures; animal cloning techniques and superior food products.

11. Science continued • For every $1 spent on Agricultural R&D in the past 50 years, it has paid back $8 in terms of a more safer affordable food supply. • Georgians and Americans enjoy the the most affordable food supply of the entire world community spending just 10.9% of their income on food.

12. Summary • Georgia Agriculture is the science of life:It touches many aspects of our lives. • Agriculture in Georgia has a rich heritage in research and development. • Georgians can enjoy many of the benefits that our agricultural base provides such as a strong economic contribution,plentiful careers,good environment,technological and scientific advancements that gives us a daily connection to the “science of life”.