Agriculture connects people. Farms and ranches are
everywhere in our nation. Agricultural businesses are
in towns, cities, and communities in every state in
America. Agriculture provides thousands of jobs. This
fuels the economy in Nebraska and in the United States.
Without agriculture, we wouldn’t be able to feed, clothe,
and fuel the world.
The bottom line: agriculture is an important industry for
all of us!
O N E CO M M U N ITY
Think about where you live. What role
does agriculture play in your community?
DIGGING DEEPER
OUR HISTORY
Agriculture is an
important part of our
countrys history. The people in Colonial America
began as farmers. Agriculture has continued to feed
people across the world ever since they arrived!
OUR WORLD TODAY
Food and ber are traded all
over the world. Corn and
beef grown in Nebraska
may travel all the way
to Mexico or China.
People in every country
are impacted by the
agriculture industry.
Issue 6
OUR CULTURE
Agriculture is an important part
of cultures around the globe. All over the world, people
have grown food, developed tools and techniques, and
sold and traded what they produced. Roads and
r
ailways were developed so that food and products
could be transported and
traded. Agriculture
helps advance
communities
and countries
across the
globe.
DID YOU KNOW?
Lets take a closer look at agriculture in Nebraska.
Place a checkmark next to all the statements that are
a FACT!
____ 1 in 4 jobs in Nebraska are related to agriculture.
____ Nebraska ranks #1 in the nation in popcorn
production.
____ Nebraska has careers available in agriculture
insurance, equipment sales and repair, technology,
and engineering.
____ Nebraska has the largest aquifer (underground
water) which helps farmers produce their crops.
Guess what? ALL of these are facts! Agriculture in
Nebraska is important!
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TALES OF HISTORY AND IMAGINATION
IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND INVENTIONS
Agriculture looks much different today than 200, 100, 50, or even 25 years ago! People involved in agriculture have been
industrious and looked for ways to farm more efciently. Many designs and inventions have had signicant impact on
the industry—improving the way farmers and ranchers produce the food, fuel, and ber we need in our daily lives!
Check out some of the important advances in agriculture and match them with the year they were invented.
Since humans moved away from hunting and gathering to farming and producing food, individuals have looked for
ways to do that more efciently. Americans with careers in science and agriculture continue to make a difference.
There is a place for you in agriculture as an inventor—how will you make an impact?
THEN
NOW
FUTURE
YOUR NAME IMPACT ON
THERE’S MORE!
These are just a few inventions and innovations that contributed
to agriculture we know today—there is so much more!
Explore what each of the following did for agriculture
and include when it happened and who was
involved. Remember to share what you learn
with classmates, teachers, and family!
Cotton gin
Thresher machine
Grain reaper
Rubber tires
BARBED WIRE
Joseph Glidden made improvements on a
single wire fence by adding a simple barb onto
a double-strand wire. Wire fencing helps cattle
farmers/ranchers save money instead of using
traditional wooden fencing.
STEEL PLOW
Early Midwest farmers used wood or iron plows
pulled by horses to break through the tough prairie
grass and soil. A blacksmith named John Deere made
a plow out of steel. The sticky prairie soil easily slid
off the polished steel, making plowing much easier.
GASOLINE TRACTORS
For years, farming was done with oxen or
horses. John Froelich invented the gasoline-
powered tractor which was more efcient to use.
The gasoline tractor could do the same work in a
couple of hours that a horse could do in a day.
GPS TECHNOLOGY
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) allow farmers
to gather and see information in real-time. This
information reduces going over the same area of a
eld twice and waste of seed, nutrients, fuel, and time.
IMPACT ON HOW WE GROW CORN AND SOYBEANS
George Washington Carver is a scientist who began his
research in his own backyard. He took something he loved to
study—how plants grow—and used it to make the soil better.
Today, farmers plant corn one year and soybeans the next
year to keep the soil healthy—thanks to Carver. He developed
crop rotation, the system of alternating crops to provide
benets to the soil.
IMPACT ON CATTLE
Temple Grandin is an animal scientist who used her way
of thinking to change the livestock industry. She is one
of the rst individuals on the autism spectrum to help
animals. When cattle are startled, they stop moving.
Temple created special chutes that have solid, curved
walls that keep animals happy as they walk.
Imagine what your Impact will be on the agricultural industry. In the space provided, write
down two agricultural ideas in which you can make an impact. For instance, create a robot
to feed cattle!
For more science and invention ideas from people who inuenced agriculture, dig into
these individuals and what they accomplished!
Norman Borlaug Cyrus McCormick Eli Whitney John Deere
MORE SCIENTIST AND INVENTORS
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1892
1892
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A SHOPPING TRIP!
Think about the last time you went to the grocery store. Did you help your mom, dad, grandparent, or friend pick
out the food to buy? Did you stop and think about where all the food comes from? People in the United States are
lucky. We have easy access to a safe and affordable food supply at our local grocery store. While much of the
food in your grocery store comes from other parts of the U.S. and even the world, did you know that a lot of the
food you eat every day is from crops and animals raised in Nebraska?
Lets grab a cart and travel the aisles of a grocery store to discover more about our homegrown Nebraska food!
CHECK OUT!
Our cart is full, and we have
more knowledge about how
Nebraskans grow the food
we nd in our grocery stores.
To discover even more about
what is grown and raised
in Nebraska, check out the
Nebraska Interactive Map:
www.nefbmap.org.
DAIRY
Next stop is the dairy cooler! Here we
nd milk, cheese, yogurt, and other
dairy products. Nebraska ranks 26th
in total milk production—and that milk
is processed into the delicious dairy
products we enjoy. Most dairies in
Nebraska are located in the Central
and Eastern parts of the state. They are
located near processing facilities which
reduce shipping time (milk is perishable!).
MEAT
The meat counter and cooler is
where we nd a great source of
protein in beef, pork, and poultry.
Nebraska is a national leader
in beef production, ranks 5th in
pork products, and produces
lots of broiler chickens that are
processed into the chicken breast,
tenderloins, and nuggets we eat.
EGGS
Remember to get a dozen eggs! Eggs are
great for breakfast (and other meals!) and
are used many different ways in cooking
and baking. Eggs are high in protein and
vitamin D. Nebraska ranks 5th in egg and
egg product exports!
What is your favorite way to eat eggs?
_________________________________
BEANS
Making some soup or chili? Want a side to go with
that steak you bought? When you grab a can or bag
of pinto beans, black beans, Great Northern beans,
light red kidney beans, navy beans, or garbanzo
beans, it’s likely those were grown in Nebraska! Our
state ranks 6th in all dry edible beans grown! Most
are produced in Western and Southwest Nebraska
where the soil and climate is favorable for beans.
What is your favorite
dairy product?
Milk
Yogurt
Cheese
Cottage cheese
Ice cream
What is your familys
favorite type of
meat to serve?
___________________
POPCORN
Need a tasty, crunchy,
and nutritious snack?
Grab a bag of popcorn!
Nebraska produces
the most popcorn of
any state in the nation!
Nebraska popcorn
farmers produce 350
million pounds of
popcorn each year!
BREAD, CEREAL, AND
CHIPS
Ready for a sandwich? That
loaf of bread may have our
grown by Nebraska wheat
farmers!
What is your favorite kind of
cereal? Nebraska-grown corn,
oats, and our are processed
into the akes, o’s, and oatmeal
you enjoy each morning!
PRODUCE
Our rst stop: the produce section where
we nd fruits and vegetables! While
the climate in our state isn’t ideal for
growing large quantities of most fruits and
vegetables, Nebraska farmers do grow
produce that is often sold as “locally grown”
in our stores. And, did you know Nebraska
is a large producer of potatoes? Grab a bag
to bake or make mashed potatoes!
Lets grab a bag of chips! Nebraska
grows lots of potatoes, many of
which are processed into potato
chips! And, some of the corn
grown in our state is processed
into those yummy corn chips!
4 5
AGRICULTURE
NEEDS YOU!
Whether you live in a big city, small town, or on a farm or ranch, agriculture
is part of your everyday life. In Nebraska, 1 out of 4 jobs are related to
agriculture! Do you love animals? You could be a veterinary technician. Are
you a fan of math? You can use that every day as a grain marketing specialist.
The opportunities are endless, and there is a place for YOU in agriculture!
WHERE DO I START?
There are lots of agriculture careers to explore!
Circle the 5 words/phrases that most interest you!
Animals Writing
Plants Problem-solving
Computers Working on a team
Technology Fishing
Research Working outside
Teaching Working inside
Water Travel
Science Helping the environment
Helping others Numbers
Building Talking to people
CAREER TREK
Lets learn about some exciting agriculture careers
in Nebraska by meeting people who love what they
do for Nebraska agriculture!
Ready for some exciting news? There are careers
in agriculture related to every combination of
these words/phrases!
- If you selected plants, working on a
team, and talking to people, you
could have a future in selling
seed to farmers.
- If you selected
problem-solving,
research, and
science, you could
be a food scientist!
There are dozens
more opportunities
for each
combination!
BE PREPARED FOR YOUR CAREER
Careers in agriculture require different levels of education,
training, and experience! The type and amount vary
depending on the responsibilities. Here are examples
of careers you could have in the beef industry and the
education and training needed.
Training/Certication
Livestock Haulersafely and efciently delivers cattle from
a farm to a market or processing plant.
Associate Degree
Feedlot Managersupervises and manages daily
operations like herd nutrition, environmental conditions,
and marketing of cattle.
Bachelors Degree
Herd Nutritionisteducate farmers on appropriate diets,
product mix, and rations for their beef herd.
Doctorate Degree
Meat Scientistresearch animal growth and development,
fresh meats and processed meat products. Have you ordered
a at iron steak? That cut was developed by a meat scientist!
KYLE LECHTENBERG
Farmer
Northview Family Farms, Butte, NE
Kyle manages resources (land, nances, and
employees) to operate the farm. His job is to test
hay for moisture and protein to determine the value
and use of the hay. He enjoys the testing to meet
livestock’s nutritional needs.
BRANDON WARDYN
Research Scientist
Corteva, York, NE
Brandon leads a team of
researchers that develop
new corn hybrids. He
uses science, math,
computer programming,
biology, and teamwork
to create new genetics
to help farmers. He is
thankful to know products
they create make farmers
more successful.
REGINA NARJES
Marketing Coordinator
21st Century Equipment, Sidney, NE
Regina works to support and market parts,
service, and sales at a local John Deere
Dealership. She loves that employees help
support local farmers and ranchers. Regina
enjoys the diversity of her job—no two days are
ever the same!
JESSICA DOUGLAS
Environmental
Sampling Specialist
Midwest Laboratories,
Omaha, NE
Jessica collects and
analyzes samples from
water or soil using
portable laboratory
equipment. Samples
are used to make sure
a site complies with all
environmental laws and
regulations. She loves
working with a variety of rural and urban projects that
each have unique challenges.
66 76
SOYBEANS SHAPE THE WORLD
Nebraska’s agricultural products really do help feed the entire world! Corn, beef, pork,
and other commodities are sold internationally. Nebraska soybean producers are
leading the way in growing soybeans and exporting the whole bean, soybean meal,
and soybean oil to other countries.
Agriculture in the Classroom ® is a program coordinated by the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization
and supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Nebraska, the Agriculture in the Classroom
program is managed by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, whose mission is to engage youth, educators, and
the general public to promote an understanding of the vital importance of agriculture in the lives of all Nebraskans.
To learn more or access an electronic version of this publication contact the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation.
(402 ) 421-4747 | 5225 South 16th Street, Lincoln, NE 68512
www.nefbfoundation.org | foundationforag@nefb.org
Special thanks to these organizations for their continuous support: Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Beef Council, and Nebraska Soybean Checkoff.
February 2020
When a product or commodity is sent to another country for sale, that is called
an export. Exports are important to everyone because American farmers produce
abundant amounts of crops and livestock that exceed the needs of the United
States. Nebraska soybean farmers grow soybeans used in our state and nation,
in addition to quantities that can be exported to countries all over the world. That
means farmers focus on marketing and promoting their soybeans to other countries.
Circle what you believe is the correct response:
Currently, more than _____________ of Nebraska’s soybean crop is exported
to other countries.
2% 25% 50% 99%
If you selected 50%, you are correct! In 2019, Nebraska soybean
farmers produced 283,140,000 bushels of soybeans. How many
bushels were exported to other countries?
__________________________________
Exports bring more money into our state for a positive impact on
the economy.
WHERE IN THE WORLD?
Nebraska exports whole
soybeans that will be used
and processed when they
get to a country, soybean
meal used for animal feed
and human consumption,
and soybean oil used as
a cooking oil. Where do
they end up?
The U.S. exports
the most whole
soybeans to China
The U.S. exports
the most soybean
oil to South Korea
The U.S. exports
the most soybean
meal to Philippines
Mexico is a key
trade partner
for all soybeans
8