This book responds to the widespread recognition among experts that our educational system needs to change in order to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure the future vitality of U.S. agriculture. Understanding Agriculture focuses on agricultural literacy (education about agriculture) and vocational agricultural education (education in agriculture). The section on agricultural literacy addresses the teaching of science through agriculture, teacher education and training, model educational programs, community support, and agricultural career exploration programs. Vocational agricultural education is examined in terms of program enrollment, availability and content, supervised occupational experiences, the Future Farmers of America program, and teacher education and supply.

Written by leaders in agriculture education, Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources is a user-friendly, visual introduction to the systems and concepts that define modern agriculture, including food systems and natural resources. This text is aligned to AFNR standards, providing practical information on building leadership, communication, and career-ready skills while integrating pedagogical tools designed for learner success. Using a modern approach to learning design, information is delivered in smaller sections so students can process and then interact with assessment and review to foster application, analysis, evaluation, and creation. This comprehensive text welcomes today's learners to the diverse and exciting world of agriscience and FFA opportunities, encouraging students to participate in their school, communities, and enroll in advanced courses.

Young Phineas Quinn is suspicious of the vegetable soup his mom serves for lunch. Phin declares he won't slup a single spoonful until he knows where his soup comes from! Much to Phin's surprise, a man in a flying tomato balloon shows up to answer this stirring question!

Drawing on nearly 50 years of teaching organic farming and gardening, the staff of the UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden Apprenticeship and invited authors have developed an updated and expanded resource for instructors based on many of the skills and concepts taught in UCSC's annual Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture program. Teaching Organic Farming & Gardening: Resources for Instructors, 3rd Edition addresses practical aspects of organic farming and gardening, applied soil science, and social and environmental issues in agriculture. New features of the 3rd Edition include revised and expanded lecture outlines, new demonstrations and exercises, detailed narrative supplements to support lecture topics, and new appendices and illustrations. Although much of the material has been developed for field or garden demonstrations and skill building, most of the units can also be tailored to a classroom setting.The 700-page manual was produced by UCSC's Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food System and is designed for a wide audience of those involved in teaching farming and gardening skills and sustainable agriculture concepts, including colleges and universities with sustainable agriculture programs, student farms or gardens, and on-farm education programs; urban agriculture, community garden, and farm training programs; farms with internships or apprenticeships; agriculture extension stations; school gardening programs; organizations such as the Peace Corps, US AID, and other groups that provide international training in food growing and ecological growing methods; and master gardener programs.