Agriculture is the practice and science of cultivating land and raising crops, animals and fungi to sustain human life. Agriculture is practiced for a variety of purposes including raising animals and crops for food, textiles, fiber and biofuel. The terms "farming" and "agriculture" are closely related.
Agricultural practices first arose 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent. At that time, humans began developing and implementing irrigation, domestication, crop rotation and fertilization. During the Middle Ages, Muslims greatly expanded upon these practices by developing farming machines, writing farming manuals, and bringing crops to Europe. With the advent of steam power and pragmatic farming techniques, the Industrial Revolution expanded the size, scope, technology and productivity of farms. This paved the way for major strides in agricultural advancement in the 19th and 20th centuries.
About 2 million people now farm or ranch in the U.S., working on average 200 days per year. As time has passed since the Green Revolution of the mid- to late 1900s, sustainable farming practices have been emphasized and implemented more and more. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Basil gets tastier with 24-hour light
April 10, 2019, 2:52 p.m. by Robin Shreeves
MIT scientists are creating 'climate recipes' for the herb.
Apple trees are mysteriously dying all across America and nobody knows why
March 29, 2019, 9:18 a.m. by Bryan Nelson
In some regions, as many as 80 percent of trees could be in danger.
Why the Amazon rainforest could be devastated by the U.S.-China trade war
March 27, 2019, 6:24 p.m. by Bryan Nelson
Beijing turns to Brazil to make up for its shortfall in soya beans.
Just in time for Valentine's Day, a Tinder-style app ... for cows
February 12, 2019, 4:43 p.m. by Christian Cotroneo
Swipe right if you enjoy long walks in the pasture.
Researchers hack plants to increase efficiency
January 7, 2019, 9:18 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
By improving the process by which plants get rid of toxic compounds, researchers improve their overall growth.
10 cultural variations on Thanksgiving
November 15, 2018, 12:57 p.m. by Josh Lew
Many cultures have end-of-growing-season holidays that are similar to Thanksgiving.
13 amazing antics of ants
August 23, 2018, 1:48 p.m. by Russell McLendon
Picnic plunder is just one of ants' many talents.
New Zealand's crazy avocado crime wave
August 16, 2018, 11:04 a.m. by Matt Hickman
This is the downside of trendy foods.
There's glyphosate in our food system — so now what?
August 15, 2018, 10:47 a.m. by Robin Shreeves
The weed killer keeps showing up in food, but the safety issues are confusing.
Americans use less water than they did in 1970
June 25, 2018, 10:35 a.m. by Russell McLendon
U.S. water usage is at a 45-year low, according to a new government report. But is that low enough?
Why vanilla prices have gone nuts
June 18, 2018, 2:09 p.m. by Robin Shreeves
The crop is getting hammered by low yields, climate change, speculation and theft.
'Rebel' farmers launch second organic label
June 4, 2018, 2:22 p.m. by Robin Shreeves
New label will certify foods grown in soil and animal products from pastured animals — while excluding others.
-
A horse named Jenny takes a daily stroll through the streets of Frankfurt
-
Use baking soda for easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs
-
Notre Dame rooftop bees appear to have survived the fire
-
Should you let your cat outside?
-
A massive great white shark named Miss Costa is in Florida for spring break
-
The colorful, fantastical world of Dale Chihuly
-
10 ways to give without buying stuff
Thoughtful gifts can be experiences, time or even a special treat.
-
Carbon footprint reality
If you really want to reduce your footprint, have fewer kids and ditch your car.
-
Why you should kick the plastic straw habit
Straws create litter and end up in the marine food chain — but it doesn't have to be that way.
-
16 simple ways to reduce plastic waste
These easy things can decrease the amount of plastic trash you make.
-
9 skills they don't teach in school (but should)
From CPR to car repair, these building blocks create safe, successful adults.
Flipboard
