Literacy Activities for Earth Day
Have students read any or all of the following Kentucky farmer profiles (download the pdf). Discuss and/or have students complete the corresponding ELA Informational Text Worksheet.
Videos of the farmers may be viewed on our website.
Students may also be given the following writing prompt:
How are Kentucky farmers protecting our land wand water? After reading the farmer profiles and informational texts and/or watching the videos, write an essay in which you describe how Kentucky farmers are currently using sustainable methods to grow food, fiber, and energy. Support your article with evidence from the texts and videos.
DID YOU KNOW that NO-TILL crop farming (the practice of not breaking the soil before planting) has its roots in Kentucky?
Christian County farmer Harry Young, Jr. planted the first commercial no-till crop 50 years ago. While the goal was to reduce soil erosion, additional benefits included reduced fuel use, increased organic matter and water holding capacity, and higher soil quality. Today, about 70 percent of the state's wheat acreage, 50 percent of the corn acreage, and 80 percent of soybean acreage is no-till.
Read the article: Kentucky celebrates 50 years of no-till farming | View the Video
DID YOU KNOW that all Kentucky farms are required to develop and use an Agricultural Water Quality Plan?
The Kentucky General Assembly passed the Kentucky Agricultural Water Quality Act in 1994 to protect surface and groundwater resources from pollution as a result of agriculture and silviculture (forestry) activities. The Agricultural Water Quality Act requires all landowner/land users with 10 or more acres being used for agriculture or silviculture operations to develop and implement a water quality plan using best management practices.
Read more about the Kentucky Agricultural Water Quality Act and Plan
Videos of the farmers may be viewed on our website.
Students may also be given the following writing prompt:
How are Kentucky farmers protecting our land wand water? After reading the farmer profiles and informational texts and/or watching the videos, write an essay in which you describe how Kentucky farmers are currently using sustainable methods to grow food, fiber, and energy. Support your article with evidence from the texts and videos.
DID YOU KNOW that NO-TILL crop farming (the practice of not breaking the soil before planting) has its roots in Kentucky?
Christian County farmer Harry Young, Jr. planted the first commercial no-till crop 50 years ago. While the goal was to reduce soil erosion, additional benefits included reduced fuel use, increased organic matter and water holding capacity, and higher soil quality. Today, about 70 percent of the state's wheat acreage, 50 percent of the corn acreage, and 80 percent of soybean acreage is no-till.
Read the article: Kentucky celebrates 50 years of no-till farming | View the Video
DID YOU KNOW that all Kentucky farms are required to develop and use an Agricultural Water Quality Plan?
The Kentucky General Assembly passed the Kentucky Agricultural Water Quality Act in 1994 to protect surface and groundwater resources from pollution as a result of agriculture and silviculture (forestry) activities. The Agricultural Water Quality Act requires all landowner/land users with 10 or more acres being used for agriculture or silviculture operations to develop and implement a water quality plan using best management practices.
Read more about the Kentucky Agricultural Water Quality Act and Plan
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