Week 23 - Crop Planning
List the three (3) components of Crop Planning.
1. Crop Selection, 2. Planting Schedule, 3. Crop Management (i.e., Placement, Spacing)
List the three (3) components of Crop Production.
1. Soil, 2. Climate, 3. Water
Provide one (1) example of a Tree Fruit, Berry Fruit, and Tropical Fruit.
Tree Fruits: Apples, Oranges, Peaches, etc.
Berry Fruits: Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, etc.
Tropical Fruits: Bananas, Mangoes, Pineapples, etc.
List five (5) places where urban dwellers can grow crops.
Rooftops, Balconies, Porches, Backyards/Front Yards, Community Gardens, Indoor Spaces
What percent of Waterbury, CT faces food insecurity?
16.5%
Identify three (3) factors influencing Crop Selection.
Prevailing Farm Conditions (i.e., Biotic Factors, Topography), Crop Adaptability, Marketability and Profitability, Resistance to Pests and Diseases, Available Technology, Farming System, Security
Define Climate-Resilient Crop.
Climate-resilient Crop: Genetically modified crops that can survive climate change and adverse weather conditions
Define Polyculture.
Polyculture: The simultaneous cultivation or growth of two or more plants or organisms in a single area.
Identify and describe one (1) benefit of urban vegetable production
Access to Fresh Produce: Allows city dwellers to have access to fresh, locally grown produce, which is often more nutritious and flavorful than store-bought options
Food Security: Growing vegetables locally reduces dependence on long-distance food transportation and helps to mitigate food insecurity by providing a reliable source of fresh food within urban areas
Environmental Benefits: Urban vegetable production promotes “green spaces” within cities, which can help mitigate urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and support biodiversity. Locally-grown food also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and packaging.
Community Building: Growing brings people together and fosters a sense of community. Community gardens, in particular, provide opportunities for neighbors to interact, share knowledge, and work towards common goals.
Educational Opportunities: Urban vegetable gardening serves as an educational tool, teaching people about plant science, nutrition, sustainable agriculture practices, and environmental stewardship.
Economic Savings: Growing vegetables at home or in community gardens can lead to cost savings on grocery bills. It also provides opportunities for entrepreneurship through selling excess produce at farmers’ markets or through Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA).
Health Benefits: Engaging in gardening activities can promote physical activity, reduce stress, and improve mental well-being. Consuming fresh vegetables and other produce from the garden also contributes to a healthier diet and lifestyle.
Food Diversity: Urban vegetable gardening allows individuals to grow a wide variety of vegetables, including heirloom and speciality varieties that may not be readily available in supermarkets. This promotes biodiversity and encourages culinary exploration.
Identify one (1) cause and one (1) consequence of food insecurity.
Causes
Poverty: Limited financial resources make it difficult for individuals and families to afford an adequate and nutritious diet
Unemployment and Underemployment: Lack of stable employment or low wages can hinder people’s ability to purchase food.
High Food Prices: Fluctuations in food prices, particularly for staple foods (i.e., potatoes, rice, wheat, corn, meat, milk, eggs, cheese, fish) can impact affordability
Lack of Access to Nutritious Food: Urban areas are more likely to lack access to grocery stores or markets that offer fresh, healthy foods. This issue is commonly referred to as “food deserts” however, many activists have pushed for the use of the term “food apartheid” because many of these systems of oppression are man-made.
Limited Access to Transportation: Even when health food options are available, lack of transportation can prevent individuals from accessing healthy foods
Food Distribution and Supply Chain Issues: Inefficient food distribution systems or disruptions in the supply chain (i.e., natural disasters, conflict) can limit access to food, leading to shortages and increased prices.
Climate Change and Environmental Factors: Environmental factors related to climate change (i.e., droughts, floods, etc.) can limit access to food, leading to shortages and increased prices
Conflict and Political Instability: Conflict and political instability can disrupt food production, distribution, and access, leading to food shortages and humanitarian crises.
Limited Agricultural Resources: Inadequate access to land, water, seeds, and other agricultural resources hinders food production, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is a primary livelihood.
Health and Education: Poor health and lack of education about nutrition and food preparation can exacerbate food insecurity by affecting individuals’ ability to earn income, access nutritious foods, and maintain good health.
Consequences
Health Impacts
Malnutrition: Food insecurity can lead to inadequate intake of essential nutrients, resulting in malnutrition. Malnutrition can manifest as stunted growth in children, micronutrient deficiencies, and underweight/overweight individuals.
Chronic Disease: Poor diet quality can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular (heart) disease, and certain cancers.
Mental Health: Food insecurity is associated with increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Economic Impacts
Productivity Loss: Food insecurity can diminish individuals’ physical and cognitive abilities, leading to decreased productivity at work or school, which can perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
Healthcare Costs: Increased healthcare utilization and costs, including hospitalizations, doctor visits, and medication expenses places a financial burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems.
Social Impacts
Community Cohesion: Food insecurity strains social relationships and community cohesion as individuals and families may face heightened stress and uncertainty about accessing food.
Education Outcomes: Children and adolescents experiencing food insecurity may have difficulty concentrating in school, leading to lower academic achievement and higher dropout rates, which can perpetuate intergenerational poverty.
Social Exclusion: Food insecurity can contribute to social exclusion and stigma, as individuals may feel ashamed or embarrassed to seek assistance or partake in social activities where food is involved.
Define Hardiness Zone. What Hardiness Zone is Connecticut?
A Hardiness Zone is a geographic area defined as having a certain average minimal temperature; Connecticut is Hardiness Zone 6
Identify and describe the four (4) methods of planting.
Direct Seeding: Seeds are sown (planted) directly into the soil where the crop will grow; Suitable for beans, peas, and corn
Transplanting: Seedlings (baby plants) are grown inside and transplanted outside; Suitable for tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, etc.
Broadcast Seeding: Seeds are evenly scattered over the soil surface; Suitable for grass and cover crop
Container Planting: Seeds are started in containers (i.e., pots, trays) before being transplanted
True or False: Groundnuts, also known as peanuts, are not nuts.
True
Identify three (3) ingredients of a general purpose potting mix.
1. Peat Moss or Coco Coir, 2. Perlite or Vermiculite, 3. Compost
Identify three (3) benefits of urban growing.
Benefits: Access to Fresh Produce, Food Security, Environmental Benefits, Community Building, Educational Opportunities, Economic Savings, Health Benefits, Food Diversity
Define Companion Planting and list two (2) benefits.
Companion Planting: A gardening/farming strategy where different plants are grown in close proximity to provide mutual benefits to one another.
Benefits
Pest Control: Some plants release natural compounds that repel specific pests (i.e., Marigolds repel nematodes, Basil repels mosquitoes)
Attracting Beneficial Insects: Certain plants attract beneficial insects that prey upon common garden pests (i.e., Flowers like Calendula or Yarrow attracts pollinators and ladybugs)
Enhanced Pollination: Some plants attract pollinators (i.e., Flowers like bee balm or lavender attract bees)
Complementary Growth Patterns: Plants with different growth habits can be grown together to optimize space usage. Tall plants provide shade to delicate, shade-tolerant crops, while ground cover plants can help suppress weeds
Soil Improvement: Improve soil structure and fertility (i.e., Legumes have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their roots that enrich the soil with nitrogen)
Trap Cropping: Attract and divert pests away from more valuable crops (i.e., Nasturtium flowers attract aphids away from other plants)
Define Precision Agriculture.
Precision Agriculture: The use of sensors, drones, and satellite imagery to enhance efficiency of resource use, crop monitoring, and decision-making
Identify and describe one (1) economical impact of fruit and nut production.
Revenue Generation: Fruit and nut crops are high-value agricultural commodities, often commanding premium prices in domestic and international markets. They generate significant revenue for growers, contributing to income stability.
Export Opportunities: Many countries are major exporters of fruits and nuts. This enhances foreign exchange earnings and stimulates economic growth.
Value Addition: Fruit and nut processing industries create value-added products (i.e., juices, jams, dried fruits, nut-based snacks) to grow the sector and provide additional income.
Tourism and Agritourism: Fruit and nut orchards often attract tourists, especially during harvesting seasons (i.e., fruit picking, farm tours, tasting events)
Supply Chain Impact: Fruit and nut production requires transportation, storage, distribution, and retailing. This creates business opportunities in logistics, warehousing, and retail sectors.
Why must containers used for growing have a drainage hole?
Drainage holes prevent water from collecting and causing root rot.
Define Stakeholder. Provide three (3) examples of a stakeholder in an urban agriculture initiative.
Stakeholder: A person with an interest, concern, or investment in something.
Examples: Organizer, Volunteer, Educator, Political Leader, Investor, Supplier
Identify and describe one (1) pest and disease management technique.
Sanitation/Crop Residue Management: Keep the greenhouse clean by removing plant debris, fallen leaves, and weeds; Regularly clean and disinfect tools, containers, and equipment
Quarantine and Inspection: Quarantine new plants before introducing them to the greenhouse; Inspect incoming plants for signs of pests and diseases
Cultural Practices: Rotate crops to disrupt the life cycle of pests and diseases; Use resistant or tolerant plant varieties (when possible); Implement proper spacing to improve air circulation
Biological Controls: Introduce natural predators, parasites, or beneficial insects that prey on common pests (i.e., Ladybugs, Green Lacewings, Parasitic Wasps, Predatory Mites and Thrips, Predatory Beetles, Minute Pirate Bugs, Praying Mantises, Nematodes, Beneficial Flies and Nematodes, Damsel Bugs)
Beneficial Microorganisms: Bacteria and fungi can suppress pathogens
Monitoring: Regularly inspect signs of pests, diseases, or stress
Exclusion Techniques: Install screens, nets, or insect-proof mesh around vents and openings
Chemical Controls (As a last resort): Consider using targeted, low-impact pesticides only when necessary
Identify and describe one (1) career in agriculture that is specific to crop production.
Agronomist: Study and manage the production of crops (i.e., soil management, crop rotation, and pest control); Work to optimize crop yields and sustainability
Farm Manager: Oversee day-to-day operations on farms (i.e., crop planning, planting, harvesting, managing farm staff)
Plant Breeder: Develop new varieties with improved traits such as disease resistance, increased yield, or better nutritional content
Research Scientist in Agriculture: Conduct experiments and studies to advance knowledge in plant science
Agricultural Engineer: Design, develop, and improve systems and technologies in the agricultural industry.
Define Pollination. Explain the difference between Self-pollination and Cross-pollination.
Pollination: The movement of pollen from one flower (male) to another (female).
Self-pollination: Pollen is transferred by the flower itself.
Cross-pollination: Pollen is transferred between flowers off different plants of the same species, often facilitate by wind, insects, birds, or other animals.
Identify and describe the three (3) irrigation methods commonly used in urban garden management.
Drip Irrigation: Using tubes to transport water from a main source to plants.
Self-watering Containers: There are containers that you fill with water and plants can self-regulate when they need more water.
Rainwater Collection: Watering crops with rainwater is a great alternative to using water from a sink or hose.
Define Zoning Law. How do Zoning Laws impact access to agricultural land?
Zoning Law: Laws and regulations divided into zones by the government or a municipality.
Exclusionary Zoning and Agricultural Land: In many urban areas, zoning laws were used to restrict or exclude agricultural activities. These exclusionary zoning practices prevented BIPOC communities from engaging in urban agricultural and accessing farming or gardening.