Trace+improvements+in+agriculture+over+time

**Standard 4.** Students will understand the diverse ways people make a living in Utah.
 * Objective 2.** Investigate the past and present role of agriculture in Utah.
 * Indicator c.** Investigate how agriculture has diversified and improved over time.


 * Lesson: Improvements in Agriculture over Time **


 * Vocabulary:**
 * Dry farming
 * Cash crop


 * Essential Questions:**
 * How did technology change agricultural practice in Utah?
 * What other factors have changed agriculture in Utah over time?
 * How have large scale irrigation projects impacted agriculture in Utah?


 * Instructional Activities:**
 * Show the graphs that represent changes in rural population, number of farms, and average size of farms, over time in Utah. Ask the students to suggest reasons for changes in the graphs. Have them look for information in this lesson that would support reasons for those changes, particularly in terms of changes in farming practice and agricultural technology.
 * Have the students create an illustrated timeline of changes in Utah agriculture.
 * Discuss changes that have taken place in Utah agriculture.
 * Utah does not have ideal conditions for agriculture (climate, lack of water, generally poor soil)
 * Early settlers had to be self-sufficient, raising their own food and food for their livestock.
 * [|Dry farming] was a successful experimental practice, particularly in the northern Utah climate.
 * The need for cash crops and more productive farming practices led to larger farms and local specialization.
 * Development of the [|canning industry] in Utah.
 * Rangeland and open grazing policies.
 * Irrigation projects were needed to supply more water. (Strawberry Reservoir, [|Central Utah Project], etc.)
 * Refrigerated rail cars cut down on the demand for fresh and canned goods from Utah.
 * Urbanization took over many fertile farming lands.
 * Discuss with students how Utah's agriculture might change in the future, especially given our nation's new focus on alternate fuel sources.


 * Assessment:**
 * Timeline of changes in Utah agriculture
 * Essay question on test: How has technology significantly changed Utah agriculture over time?


 * Materials / Resources for Teachers:**
 * [|Dry farming in Utah]
 * [|Canning Industry]
 * [|Canning Industry] (2)


 * Materials / Resources for Students:**
 * Paper
 * Crayons, markers, colored pencils