When you woke up thismorning, were you in a bedwith sheets? Sheets are madeof fibers from cotton plants, andmost of our furniture and ourhomes are made with wood.

You probably put on a pairof jeans and a cotton T-shirt.Most of the clothes we all wearcontain cotton, wool, silk orlinen fibers or leather. All thanksto agriculture!

Did you eat anything today?Food comes from plants andanimals. Thank agricultureagain!

Did you wash or showerwith soap? Oil from corn orsoybeans and fat from cattlewere used in making that soap.

When you read your booksand write with a pencil onpaper, you use products fromanother agricultural crop-trees.

Did you pedal a bike, take abus or ride a car? Along withrubber from trees, cattle wereused in making those tires.Stearic acid, a by-product ofbeef, makes those tires runcooler and longer.

Oh, and if you stopped tosmell the flowers, that's part ofagriculture, too!

Q: What is our most essential industry?

���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

As you follow the truck driveraround the map of the stateon the cover, talk about thejobs involved at each stop.

Can you have anAG-FREE DAY?

NO WAY!

AGRICULTUREIS

EVERYWHERE!

AGRICULTUREIS

EVERYWHERE!

���������������

YES...It’sAgriculture!

A:

Agriculture is a long word so it is often shortenedto “ag”. Agriculture starts with the growing andharvesting of food, fibers, forests, and flowers. Itends with almost everything we eat, wear, and use.

AGRICULTURE IS MORE THAN FARMINGAgriculture is our nation’s largest industry. Although only about 2

million Americans are actually farmers, over 20 million people work inagriculture. Growers produce the raw products and other people turnthem into the things we use and eat every day.

As raw products are changed into forms we can use, they pass throughsteps in the “Agriculture Cycle.” Your hamburger, fries and ice creampassed through this cycle as did your cotton t-shirt.

THE AGRICULTURAL CYCLEAGRICULTURAL JOBS ARE EVERYWHERE

The Agricultural Cycle employs millions of people in many different kinds of jobs.Follow the cycle below. At each step list two jobs taken from the word bank below.

������������������

bakercashiermechanicchefbutcherforesterelectrician

bale loaderhorticulturistaccountantlongshoremanfood chemisttractor driveragronomist

logging engineerfork lift driverrefrigeration mechanicadvertising executivecomputer technicianirrigation specialistproduce manager

AGRICULTURAL JOB BANK

Marketing:selling the foodand finishedproducts to you!

SHELVES WITH BAKERY GOODS FOR SALE

Transportation:moving crops andfood productsaround the stateand world

LOADING PALLETS FOR SHIPPING

Processing:changing food orfiber raw productsinto things we canuse

FILLING BAGS OF FLOUR AT FLOUR MILLHARVESTING WHEAT FROM FIELDS

Production:growing andharvesting food,fiber, forests andflowers

2

Water makes ourweather milder. Areas

next to rivers andaround Puget Sound are

10 degrees warmer inwinter and 10 degreescooler in summer thanthey would be if theywere away from the

water’s buffering effect.

WATER & WEATHERWater makes our

weather milder. Areasnext to rivers and

around Puget Sound are10 degrees warmer inwinter and 10 degreescooler in summer thanthey would be if theywere away from the

water’s buffering effect.

WATER & WEATHER

Land Ho!Land Ho! 29% Forest land22% Federal land18% Crop land14% Range land7% Native American Land5% Urban, developed,

and misc.3% Pasture land2% Water areas (inland)

What do we do withWashington's 43,608,960

acres? Look out your window.How many different land usescan you see? We use the landin many different ways. Usethis pie chart to see how the

slices add up!

Some parts of Washington receive over 100 inches of rain each year. As moist air from theocean blows east it must rise over our mountain ranges. The air cools as it rises. Cold aircannot hold as much moisture so the clouds must release their moisture in the form ofprecipitation (rain, sleet, snow or hail). How does this effect the areas east of the Cascades?

From Ocean

Olympic MountainsCascade

Mountains

RockyMountains

T h e R a i n S h a d o wT h e R a i n S h a d o w

WASHINGTON WEATHER

3

OKANOGANHIGHLANDS

The Okanogan Highlands are ruggedfoothills between the Cascades lying onthe west and the Rocky Mountains tothe east. Here beef cattle graze amonganother valuable renewable resource,trees. Trees provide paper, pencils,furniture and houses. This region alsogrows a variety of fruit trees.

Adams

AsotinBenton

Chelan

Clallam

Clark

Columbia

Cowlitz

Douglas

Ferry

FranklinGarfield

Grant

GraysHarbor

Island

Jefferson

King

Kitsap

Kittitas

Klickitat

Lewis

Lincoln

Mason

Okanogan

Pacific

PendOreille

Pierce

San Juan

Skagit

Skamania

Snohomish

Spokane

Stevens

Thurston

WahkiakumWalla Walla

Whatcom

Whitman

Yakima

PUGET SOUNDLOWLANDS

Most of our urban population is concentratedin this region, but many lush meadows and fieldsfill these lowlands that stretch from the PacificOcean to the base of the Cascades. This area isperfect for that fabulous milk maker, the dairycow, as well as for green peas, raspberries,potatoes, tulips and other nursery products. The climate, physical features,

and geography change asyou cross our diverse state,dividing our state into sevendistinct regions. Each regionhas its own name. We havecolored them for you.

Which of the top ten commodities did you eat or use yesterday?

The dry region east of the Cascades is called the ColumbiaBasin. Soft white wheat grows better here than anywhere elsein the world. More than 85% of our wheat is exported for usein oriental noodles, pastries, crackers and flat breads. Thebasin along the Columbia River, and its tributaries, providesideal conditions for potatoes, corn and fruit. The river helpsproduce the best apples, pears and cherries in the world.

COLUMBIA BASIN

OUR STATE IS DIVIDED INTOSEVEN GROWING REGIONS

Find your County on the map.List three farm products from your county.

WILLAPA HILLSThe coastal hills in the southwestern portion

are ideal for growing Christmas trees. Trees are

harvested in the fall and bundled in large stacks.

They are often lifted out by helicopter to avoid

road building in sensitive areas. This region also

grows most of our cranberries.

~ Where in Washington? ~Washington's top ten commodities are listed below with a"fast fact" and one of the counties that produces it. Findeach county and put a number on the map to match thetop ten commodity produced there.

THINK: Do some research on one of the local ag crops from your area. Writean expository with details about the crop, how it is grown and harvested, theprocessing and distribution systems, and how the local economy benefits from

product sales and employment for local residents.

BLUE MOUNTAINSThe Snake River skirts around the Blue Mountainrange in the southeast corner of our state before itfeeds into the Columbia River. Cattle graze amidstsagebrush and timber. Wheat, barley, asparagus,onions, green peas and strawberries are grownhere. This region also boasts the most inland seaportin the Pacific Rim at Lewiston-Clarkston.

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Apples - "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is not justa silly rhyme. They not only taste good, they are a healthy food.Douglas County is becoming a big apple producer.

Milk - One of only two foods whose only purpose is to be afood. Can you name the other one? Whatcom County producesthe most milk in our state.

Cattle and calves - Beef is only one of many products thatcome from cattle. By-products from cattle are used in soap,clothing, drugs, sports equipment and many other things we useevery day. Many cattle are raised in Okanogan County.

Potatoes - Potatoes are the #1 vegetable in the world and alsothe #1 snack food. Irrigated growers in Grant County producethe highest yields per acre in the U.S.

Wheat - Washington's main wheat, soft white, is not used fortypical American breads. It is used in pastries, cookies and orientalnoodles as well as flat breads. This is why most of our crop isexported. Whitman County produces the highest yields per acrefor soft white wheat in the U.S.

Hay - There are several kinds of hay produced in Washingtonstate, including alfalfa, commonly used to feed cattle. Timothyhay is a popular hay for horses, and Kittitas County produces lotsof it.

Cherries - Cherries are grown in over half the counties in ourstate. They are a crop that can pay off well in good years, but canbe destroyed in just a few minutes with a rain storm. ChelanCounty is one of our top cherry producers.

Nursery & Greenhouse Products - This category includes agreat variety of plants, which include garden and bedding plants,landscaping shrubs and fruit trees. Skagit County is a top producerof greenhouse and nursery products.

Forest Products - Timber products sold from public lands areone of the main funding sources for schools in our state. We arefortunate to have abundant forests. Millions of board feet oftimber are produced in Lewis County.

Pears - People are learning that pears are a very healthy snackbecause this tree fruit has risen to Washington's “Top Ten” listfor the first time. Our state pear production is the largest in theU.S. and Yakima County has the most acres planted to this crop.

2

1

3

4

5

6

7

8

10

9

We often remember the Cascades for theirspectacular peaks, timber and recreationareas, but the slightly lower elevationsprovide grazing for cattle as well.

CASCADEMOUNTAINS

4

OKANOGANHIGHLANDS

The Okanogan Highlands are ruggedfoothills between the Cascades lying onthe west and the Rocky Mountains tothe east. Here beef cattle graze amonganother valuable renewable resource,trees. Trees provide paper, pencils,furniture and houses. This region alsogrows a variety of fruit trees.

Adams

AsotinBenton

Chelan

Clallam

Clark

Columbia

Cowlitz

Douglas

Ferry

FranklinGarfield

Grant

GraysHarbor

Island

Jefferson

King

Kitsap

Kittitas

Klickitat

Lewis

Lincoln

Mason

Okanogan

Pacific

PendOreille

Pierce

San Juan

Skagit

Skamania

Snohomish

Spokane

Stevens

Thurston

WahkiakumWalla Walla

Whatcom

Whitman

Yakima

PUGET SOUNDLOWLANDS

Most of our urban population is concentratedin this region, but many lush meadows and fieldsfill these lowlands that stretch from the PacificOcean to the base of the Cascades. This area isperfect for that fabulous milk maker, the dairycow, as well as for green peas, raspberries,potatoes, tulips and other nursery products. The climate, physical features,

and geography change asyou cross our diverse state,dividing our state into sevendistinct regions. Each regionhas its own name. We havecolored them for you.

Which of the top ten commodities did you eat or use yesterday?

The dry region east of the Cascades is called the ColumbiaBasin. Soft white wheat grows better here than anywhere elsein the world. More than 85% of our wheat is exported for usein oriental noodles, pastries, crackers and flat breads. Thebasin along the Columbia River, and its tributaries, providesideal conditions for potatoes, corn and fruit. The river helpsproduce the best apples, pears and cherries in the world.

COLUMBIA BASIN

OUR STATE IS DIVIDED INTOSEVEN GROWING REGIONS

Find your County on the map.List three farm products from your county.

WILLAPA HILLSThe coastal hills in the southwestern portion

are ideal for growing Christmas trees. Trees are

harvested in the fall and bundled in large stacks.

They are often lifted out by helicopter to avoid

road building in sensitive areas. This region also

grows most of our cranberries.

~ Where in Washington? ~Washington's top ten commodities are listed below with a"fast fact" and one of the counties that produces it. Findeach county and put a number on the map to match thetop ten commodity produced there.

THINK: Do some research on one of the local ag crops from your area. Writean expository with details about the crop, how it is grown and harvested, theprocessing and distribution systems, and how the local economy benefits from

product sales and employment for local residents.

BLUE MOUNTAINSThe Snake River skirts around the Blue Mountainrange in the southeast corner of our state before itfeeds into the Columbia River. Cattle graze amidstsagebrush and timber. Wheat, barley, asparagus,onions, green peas and strawberries are grownhere. This region also boasts the most inland seaportin the Pacific Rim at Lewiston-Clarkston.

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Apples - "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is not justa silly rhyme. They not only taste good, they are a healthy food.Douglas County is becoming a big apple producer.

Milk - One of only two foods whose only purpose is to be afood. Can you name the other one? Whatcom County producesthe most milk in our state.

Cattle and calves - Beef is only one of many products thatcome from cattle. By-products from cattle are used in soap,clothing, drugs, sports equipment and many other things we useevery day. Many cattle are raised in Okanogan County.

Potatoes - Potatoes are the #1 vegetable in the world and alsothe #1 snack food. Irrigated growers in Grant County producethe highest yields per acre in the U.S.

Wheat - Washington's main wheat, soft white, is not used fortypical American breads. It is used in pastries, cookies and orientalnoodles as well as flat breads. This is why most of our crop isexported. Whitman County produces the highest yields per acrefor soft white wheat in the U.S.

Hay - There are several kinds of hay produced in Washingtonstate, including alfalfa, commonly used to feed cattle. Timothyhay is a popular hay for horses, and Kittitas County produces lotsof it.

Cherries - Cherries are grown in over half the counties in ourstate. They are a crop that can pay off well in good years, but canbe destroyed in just a few minutes with a rain storm. ChelanCounty is one of our top cherry producers.

Nursery & Greenhouse Products - This category includes agreat variety of plants, which include garden and bedding plants,landscaping shrubs and fruit trees. Skagit County is a top producerof greenhouse and nursery products.

Forest Products - Timber products sold from public lands areone of the main funding sources for schools in our state. We arefortunate to have abundant forests. Millions of board feet oftimber are produced in Lewis County.

Pears - People are learning that pears are a very healthy snackbecause this tree fruit has risen to Washington's “Top Ten” listfor the first time. Our state pear production is the largest in theU.S. and Yakima County has the most acres planted to this crop.

2

1

3

4

5

6

7

8

10

9

We often remember the Cascades for theirspectacular peaks, timber and recreationareas, but the slightly lower elevationsprovide grazing for cattle as well.

CASCADEMOUNTAINS

5

SNAKE RIVERCOLUMBIA RIVER

TWO MAJOR RIVERSIN WASHINGTON

Washington is blessed withgreat soil and climate forgrowing diverse agriculturalproducts. That’s not all! Ourriver resources and ocean portshelp us move agricultural andother materials throughout thePacific Rim at an affordablecost. That means that wheattrucked from Montana andpotatoes grown in Idaho, aswell as products from our ownstate, can travel by water toports around the globe.

The Columbia and Snake Rivers forma highway for boats and barges. Thiscould not happen without a series of8 locks and dams that make astairway in the river. Between theport of Clarkston and the PacificOcean the rivers drop over 700 feet.Like a water stairway, the locks allowboats to move up and down the rivers.

9876543

21

tothe

SNAKE RIVER

COLUMBIA RIVER

COLUMBIA

RIV

ER

987

6

5

432

1

COLUMBIA RIVER

UPSTREAMDOWNSTREAM

LOCK

(Fig. 1)

LOCK

(Fig. 2)

LOCK

(Fig. 3)

A lock and dam worktogether. The dam holds backwater, creating a pool. Thelock is a rectangular waterchamber near the dam withwatertight gates at each end.

To lower a boat or barge,the lock is filled with waterto the upstream level. Thebarge moves into the lock.The upstream gate closes andwater is drained out of thelock, lowering the barge tothe downstream level. Thedownstream gate opens andthe barge leaves the lock.

Boats can travel the otherdirection, too, moving fromlower to higher water levels.Through locks, boats cantravel past dams, waterfallsand other obstacles.

6

7

Ag@School is a publication of Washington Agriculture in the Classroom.Find us online at www.waic.net

ColumbusOhioRaleighSouth DakotaIndiana

MinnesotaPierreIndianapolisDes MoinesNorth Carolina

SpringfieldKansasIowaNebraskaLincoln

MissouriTopekaIllinoisSt. PaulJefferson City

“DIRTY AS A PIG”

This expression is an insult to pigs.They are actually very clean animals.

Unlike most domestic pets, they will not goto the bathroom near their food supply norwhere they sleep. They deposit their manurein the furthest corner away from where theyspend their time.

In hot weather pigs kept outdoors willwallow in mud to keep cool. That’s becausepigs cannot sweat and the mud helps themlower their body temperature. Given anoption, a pig will always choose cool waterand shade over mud. Today’s modern hogfarms keep hogs indoors, where fans andsprinklers keep them cool in the summerand heaters keep them warm in the winter.

Not true!Pigs are the

most intelligentof all farm animals and are even smarterthan dogs and elephants. In fact they areone of the few animals that will not overeat.The same cannot be said for humans.

Pigs are smart, clean and very important!

1_______________ , _______________ 6_______________ , _______________

2_______________ , _______________ 7_______________ , _______________

3_______________ , _______________ 8_______________ , _______________

4_______________ , _______________ 9_______________ , _______________

5_______________ , _______________ 10_______________ , _______________

“PIGSARE

STUPID”

TOP PORK PRODUCERSUsing the word bankand a map of the U.S.name the ten top porkproducing states andtheir capital cities.

1

2

3

4

5

67 8 9

10

8