Buzz Words
What do we call farming that doesn't use chemicals?
Organic
In which season does produce generally grow the slowest?
winter
Name two animals/insects that live in soil.
worms, pill bugs, bacteria, fungi, millipede, etc.
What are pesticides?
chemicals that kill organisms (can kill both good and unwanted plants and animals)
What is a baby sheep called?
What does sustainability mean?
avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.
In what season are strawberries ripe?
summer!
What is a decomposer?
an organism that breaks down dead/decaying material (for example, worms, pill bugs, ants, etc)
A monoculture is a growing practice where farmers are growing ____ type(s) of a crop in a large area.
one
What is a group of sheep called?
Flock (or herd)
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment is a ____ .
ecosystem
Can you grow food in the winter here on the southern Oregon coast?
Yes! They just grow slowly. (kale, fava beans, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, mustard greens, lettuce, etc)
What are 3 signs of unhealthy soil?
no animals (microorganisms), dry, no plants growing, dusty, light colored ground, etc.
What is the gradual removal of soil called? (often by wind and water)
erosion
What is grazing?
Animals that eat grass on a pasture of land
Name an ecosystem that is biodiverse.
(Biodiverse = any habitat or ecosystem with a large variety of plants and animals)
wetland, riverbank, garden, etc.
Why do farmers plant crops at different times of the year?
Certain crops need different temperatures to grow (tomatoes and peppers need warmth, spinach needs cool weather)
What are 3 signs of healthy soil?
lots of animals/microorganisms, dark color, moist, many healthy plants growing, earthy smell, etc.
Surface runoff is the unconfined flow of water over the ground surface. How can farmers prevent the spread of harmful runoff?
Decrease the use of pesticides, insecticides, chemicals
Name two animals products that come from sheep.
Wool, milk, meat, leather, etc.
Why is rotational grazing important?
It improves the health of the earth!
It's a sustainable farming practice that allows grass to re-grow in between grazing periods.
How long does it take for an apple to grow on a tree, from the time it blossoms to the time it produces fruit?
6 months! Flowers in spring (April) and ready to harvest in fall (October)
What is one way a farmer can increase soil health?
adding compost, no till, cover cropping, mulching, diverse planting, grow organically, etc.
How does tilling (digging, stirring, and overturning) impact soil health?
disrupts microorganism habitat, compacts soil, increases runoff and erosion, etc.
What is a ewe?
a female sheep