Introduce the following key terms to the students:
Agriculture — the science, art and business
of farming.
Arable land — land fit to be cultivated
or farmed.
Contour farming — farming on sloping land
in such a way that the land is prepared, planted and
cultivated is rows which are "on the level" and
follow the contour of the slope, thus reducing soil erosion.
Drought — a long period of abnormally
low rainfall.
El Nino — a warming of the surface ocean
waters off the western coast of South America, occurring
every four to twelve years, and affecting weather worldwide.
Erosion — process whereby materials of
the earth's crust are loosened, dissolved, or worn away
and moved, usually by water or wind.
Industrialization — the development of
manufacturing enterprises.
No-till farming — Planting crops without
plowing the land; the farmer plants a cover crop that
is rolled onto the land first to protect the soil from
the elements. The harvest crop is then sown in
the cover crop.
Pesticides — chemicals used to kill pests,
especially insects.
Pollution runoff — an overflow of fluid
not absorbed by the soil which contains waste products
and other contaminants.
Population shift — the migration or movement
of people from one country or region in order to settle
in another.
Sustainability — the ability to remain
in existence without exhausting resources.
Topsoil — the upper few inches of the
soil in which worms, beneficial bacteria and humus can
be found.
Toxic waste — poisonous by-products resulting
from industrial processes, as well as organic waste from
animal farms.
2. To familiarize students with the areas in the program
segments, use a wall map, desk map or an atlas and have
students locate
