Organic farming Lesson Plans

Students explore several concepts involved in organic farming and agriculture. In this environmental science lesson, students assess the pros and cons of organic farming. They explain the benefits of composting and pest management.

Learners identify relevant agricultural practices, emerging technologies relevant to food production, the concept of integrated pest management, and the advantages and problems related to organic farming.

Learners read and discuss article, "Simple Method Found to Vastly Increase Crop Yields," then research the basic components of conventional and organic agricultural methods. They, in groups, organize and present their research to the class.

Young scholars describe how ringworm and roundworm cause diseases in both humans and animals. In this life science lesson, students research how these diseases can be transmitted. They create an information brochure to promote public awareness about this health hazard.

Students examine the life of Dolores Huerta and her contributions to the development of labor unions. They read the book "Cesar Chavez: Triumph of Spirit," and in groups create a quiz, complete a Venn diagram, listen to a guest speaker, and write journal entries.

Students consider their own diets and examine an op-ed article about organically produced foods. They research alternatives to various foods for the creation of a supermarket and reflect on their own diets after keeping a food journal.

Students explore the process of decomposition. In this ecology and measurement lesson, students prepare a worm home to be used for vermicomposting. Students weigh a group of worms and the added food, recording this information on a data sheet. Students compare the weight of the worms to the weight of the food eaten and compute percentages. Students use observation skills to discuss decomposition.

Students investigate the composting process through a variety of experiments. For this ecology lesson, students discuss the benefits of composting. They examine how compost affect plant growth.

Students perform an experiment to find out if plants grow best when grown in soil with no fertilizer, with chemical fertilizers, or with compost that they have made theirselves. Students will discover how agriculture practices can benefit the environment without the use of chemicals.

Learners analyze organic production systems. For this organic agriculture lesson, students examine key organic practices for both crop and livestock. This lesson includes 5 different activities, 4 critical thinking questions and background information.