Fertilizers and the Environment

An apple is used to model Earth. Students learn that 1/32 of Earth’s surface, or 1/8 of the land surface is devoted to farmland. Students use estimates of population growth and land use to calculate how much additional farmland will be needed in the future. They discuss what sacrifices may be needed to feed a larger population. Students investigate the advantages and disadvantages of using manure-based organic and commercial fertilizers and the investigate how nutrients can be added to maximize economic, social and environmental performance. Nutrient pollution is defined, and students discuss ways of limiting it. After completing this lesson, students will be able to recognize that farmland is a resource; appreciate that the world’s growing population demands an increase in food productivity; describe the role fertilizer plays in increasing food productivity; distinguish between organic and commercial fertilizers; describe how excess nutrients are harmful to the environment; and identify different sources of nutrient pollution.

The Growers’ Academy is a sixteen-week course which includes classes on topics such as soil preparation, nutrition, and community responsibility. Each class includes a 45-minute classroom lesson and 45 minutes working in the Center’s new Community Garden. The Growers’ Academy and Community Garden are sponsored and fully funded by our partners, CF Industries.