The First Agricultural Revolution was the transition of humans from hunting/gathering to inactive agricultural production of domesticated plants and animals. The first place to be recorded of this Revolution was the Fertile Crescent in the Middle East. During the First Agricultural Revolution, humans radically changed their behavior. During this time, humans began settling in to single areas and began preparing the land, planting crops, and raising animals. The crops became domesticated as humans continued their use and animals became tame enough to be used for easy meat and companions.
The second agricultural revolution is generally said to have occurred along with the Industrial Revolution. This happened around the 18th Century. It came about in part because of the Industrial Revolution and it helped allow the Industrial Revolution to happen. The second agricultural revolution was based on a greater use of technology. Improvments were made to machinery and more people were familiar with how to use the advancements.
Farmers and agriculturists now engage one or more, including the primary activity of crop production, some sort of secondary activity such as manufacturing or processing the crops, and other marketing organizations. The second distinctive feature of this agricultural revolution is more intensive mechanization; biotechnology is the third. Mechanization began replacing animal and human labor in the United States during the late nineteenth century. The biotechnological phase began with chemical farming -- the substitution of inorganic fertilizers and manufactured products for manure and humus to increase soil fertility. Chemicals were also used to control pests, and a wide variety of herbicides, and pesticides have been produced in a never-ending effort to enhance the yields.
A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are removed and artificially put into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal. The genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans.
positives from gmo's
- Herbicide tolerance crops, which lets the farmer spray weedkillers directly on the crop without killing it
- Pesticide-producing crops, where the plant produces its own internal pesticide
negatives from gmo's
- Various feeding studies in animals have resulted in tumors, damaged immune systems, smaller brains, livers, and birth defects
- GMOs have also been linked with allergies, various digestive and bowel syndromes and even autism in humans
The difference between subsistence, sustainable, and commercial farming
Commercial farming is typically done on a very large scale, often by agricultural corporations. The goal of commercial farming is to make profits, which is done through maximizing crop fields through labor-saving techniques and technology. Use of synthetic fertilizers and hybrid seeds is common on commercial farms, as are heavy farming machinery and sophisticated irrigation technology.
In subsistence farming, farmers grow a wider range of crops based on the needs of their families or communities. Traditionally, subsistence farmers have eaten what they grow. Most subsistence farmers also trade excess crops and livestock for other needed goods.
Sustainable agriculture is the production of food, fiber, or other plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare.
Fun Facts about agriculture
- There are 47 different breeds of sheep in the U.S.
- Cows are herbivores, so they only have teeth on the bottom
- Like snowflakes, no two cows have exactly the same pattern of spots
- Pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world
Video
citations
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"The Second Agricultural Revolution." Dennis Bradford RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2016.
"67 Interesting Facts About . . . Var Addthis_config = {"services_compact":"email,fark,digg,delicious,linkedin", "services_expanded":"email,fark,digg,delicious,linkedin"};." 67 Interesting Facts about Farming & Agriculture. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2016.
": The Three Agricultural Revolutions." : The Three Agricultural Revolutions. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2016.
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