Agriculture is the strong backbone of any free nation. Without agriculture the freedoms which accompany any democratic society will fail. The Clarke County High School agriculture department proudly promote these strengths and leadership skills through the FFA and the links provided below.

As a teacher of agriculture and environmental issues, I have been questioned many times on how I can teach both at the same time with the same conviction. I would like to remind the reader, that teaching agriculture and environmental issues go "hand-in-hand". The farmer is the first steward of the land, thereby the first environmentalist. Their main responsibility to take care of the land that feeds their family and the public. Todays average farmer in America will feed 135 people throughout the world. This is incredible considering that at the end of the 19th century, the farmer produced enough for his family with a little extra to sell. I always applaud the bumper sticker that reads:

One important leadership area of the agriculture department is the FFA. There are many ways leadership in agriculture can be developed. The students participation in the FFA and FFA activities throughout the year is probably the best way.

The following Agricultural Issues format was developed as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Agricultural Issues should be taught as a means of discovering and supporting intelligent decisions. It is also hoped that the following issues will increase public awareness of the challenges facing todays agriculturalist.

WATER

1. Ground Water Contamination
2. Surface Water Contamination
3. Use of Water Resources

LAND USE

1. Soil Contamination
2. Urbanization
3. Deforestation
4. Use of Public Lands
5. Plant and Animal Habitats

Global Warming

1. Methane Gas

AIR QUALITY

1. Noise Pollution
2. Odors
3. Chemical Drift
4. Acid Rain

BIOTECHNOLOGY

NEW TECHNOLOGY

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL RIGHTS

ANIMAL PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

FOOD COSTS

ROLE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE ECONOMY

CONCEPTS RELATED TO AGRICULTURAL POLICY

REGULATORY PROCESS

GLOBAL MARKETPLACE

RURAL AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

FOOD SAFETY

1. Vegetarianism
2. Feed Additives
3. Nutrition Guidlines
4. Pesticide Residues
5. Cholesterol
6. Drinking Water
7. Fats and Fiber
8. Salmonella and E-Coli
9. Food Quality
10. Organically Grown Foods

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