Are you smarter than an ag kid? by: Madi and Ava

 Today we learned about the characteristics of sustainable and regenerative agriculture. 

 Sustainable agriculture is defined as agriculture resources or goods that are intended to last for current and many future generations. Examples of practices that can assist in sustainability include crop rotation and the use of cover crops. Crop rotation involves alternating the type of plant placed in the same plot over a period of time with the intention of replenishing the soil nutrients and reducing the presence of crop-specific pests. An instance of this may be planting a strawberry crop after a rotation of sunflowers, which previously improved the drainage and aeration of the soil.  

As for regenerative agriculture, this is the practice that involves farming methods that work with naturally occurring systems to actively rebuild what is being taken. An instance of regenerative agriculture includes the placement of both sheep and cows on the same plot of land. This works because cows eat primarily the tops of grass, while sheep use their tongues to wrap around the roots of the same grass and completely remove it. Therefore, a system like this, maximizes the use of land with the natural preferences of two existing species and the allowance for them to work together.  

We were able to have a quick stop at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum where they had a display showing healthy and unhealthy soils. These are things that regenerative agriculture is trying to accomplish. 

On our scavenger hunt game we had to find and take a picture of a wind turbine. We had to learn the difference between a wind turbine and a wind mill.

A wind turbine produces electricity by converting wind energy into electrical power by using a generator. They are also part of renewable energy systems. Renewable energy is a source that can be used repeatedly and never run out.

A windmill, on the other hand, uses wind energy to perform mechanical tasks like pumping water or grinding grain. Windmills are often found on traditional farms for mechanical work. The height difference between the wind turbine and windmill is very significant, a wind turbine can be up to 280 feet tall, as the wind mill is only about 80 feet tall. A wind turbine can be up to $2.5 - $4 million, while a windmill is $5,000 - $8,000.

 

 A Wind Turbine                                    A Windmill

And now you can be smarter than an ag kid!