History, science, culture, and religion converge to tell a story as rich--and dark--as chocolate itself. Fans of The Omnivore's Dilemma will savor this decadent exposé featuring black and white photos.Melting in your mouth, baked in a brownie, steaming hot in a mug. Chocolate is the ultimate indulgence--but it hasn't always been such a guilty pleasure. Join the critically acclaimed author Kay Frydenborg on an in-depth journey through chocolate's earliest uses in Mesoamerica, its meteoric rise in Western society, the slave labor practices that have historically enabled (and continue to enable) the chocolate industry to thrive, and the modern science used to help sustain our chocolate habit--science that might even help save the environment.

Did you know starvation kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined? Around the world, millions of people go to bed hungry every night. Farmers and ranchers produce enough food to feed everyone, but much of that food does not get to the people who need it most. In some places, food has become a precious commodity - almost like gold. In this audiobook, author Kathlyn Gay explores the complicated interaction between food, business, politics, and the environment. She examines the international food aid system; giant "factory farms", which grow and slaughter animals using assembly-line techniques; and the genetic engineering of seeds, plants, and animals. These systems and practices promise to get more food to the people who need it - but the promises don't always pan out. Worse, many modern agricultural practices are harmful to the environment, to workers who product the food, and even to consumers who eat it. Gay explains that food politics will only become more complicated as Earth's climate grows warmer, bringing rising sea levels, shifting growing seasons, and shrinking freshwater supplies.

When this award-winning husband-and-wife team discovered that they each had sugar in their family history, they were inspired to trace the globe-spanning story of the sweet substance and to seek out the voices of those who led bitter sugar lives. The trail ran like a bright band from religious ceremonies in India to Europe's Middle Ages, then on to Columbus, who brought the first cane cuttings to the Americas. Sugar was the substance that drove the bloody slave trade and caused the loss of countless lives but it also planted the seeds of revolution that led to freedom in the American colonies, Haiti, and France. With songs, oral histories, maps, and over 80 archival illustrations, here is the story of how one product allows us to see the grand currents of world history in new ways. Time line, source notes, bibliography, index.

Genetically Modified Organisms can be difficult to understand. These laboratory-modified plants and animals are a controversial part of the agricultural industry, and a persons diet. This book explores the pros and cons of these modified crops, such as corn, rice, and soybeans. While exploring what changes scientists make to these plants and how these changes impact their consumption, it also studies the potential risks of altering natural genetic material and how consuming GMOs impacts humans. As future development of GMOs such as corn and salmon progresses, governments and their citizens face difficult decisions about whether GMOs should enter the food supply, and about the safety of these incredible technological developments.

When this award-winning husband-and-wife team discovered that they each had sugar in their family history, they were inspired to trace the globe-spanning story of the sweet substance and to seek out the voices of those who led bitter sugar lives. The trail ran like a bright band from religious ceremonies in India to Europe's Middle Ages, then on to Columbus, who brought the first cane cuttings to the Americas. Sugar was the substance that drove the bloody slave trade and caused the loss of countless lives but it also planted the seeds of revolution that led to freedom in the American colonies, Haiti, and France. With songs, oral histories, maps, and over 80 archival illustrations, here is the story of how one product allows us to see the grand currents of world history in new ways. Time line, source notes, bibliography, index.

Though filled with all sorts of bugs and other finds, the soil is very important to life. It is the key ingredient to why plants grow, why animals exist, and why humans live. Educate your child about the soil, and maybe, he/she will learn to love as much as the other living things do. So grab a copy, open it and help your child read it. Enjoy!

The mother ditch, or acequia madre, is the main water line that is dug by hand and feeds many of the smaller acequias that cover the fertile land of Northern New Mexico. The acequias, water ditches, were used to irrigate the fields of crops for many farmers in the early days of settlement in New Mexico. A unique technology, the acequia, especially the mother ditch, had to be taken care of by everyone in the community that benefited from its generosity. A governing body was established to watch over the utilization and maintenance of the ditch. The mayordomo was the top elected official to preside over the governing council, and he was also required to perform numerous responsibilities representative of the people of the community. The acequia was truly one of the last vestiges of a life where people depended on each other for survival. The life of the community revolved around the acequia. Cooperation was essential to ensure everyone's sustenance. Today, many of the acequias the early settlers of New Mexico depended on have dried up. Yet, when one stands in the footings of these sand pits, you can feel the presence of the power of water that was so significant to the development of human progress in this part of the continent. English and Spanish edition.

The first step to getting your child involved in gardening is to learn about the principles of botany. This is where this book will come in handy. As an excellent introduction to the subject, this book comes complete with pictures and texts. It has been formatted in a way that would easily capture and absorb a child's attention. Secure a copy now!

Where does food come from? Does it come from the mountains or the springs? Who harvests them and puts them on the table? This educational resource aims to answer all the basic questions a child might have about food. Inside the pages are interesting discussions that deserve a place in your child's knowledge bank. Grab a copy now!

Presents a history of agriculture, discusses how industrial agriculture is harmful to the environment, and describes strides being made toward sustainability.

Did you know starvation kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined? Around the world, millions of people go to bed hungry every night. Farmers and ranchers produce enough food to feed everyone, but much of that food does not get to the people who need it most. In some places, food has become a precious commodity--almost like gold. In this book, author Kathlyn Gay explores the complicated interaction between food, business, politics, and the environment. She examines the international food aid system; giant "factory farms," which grow and slaughter animals using assembly-line techniques; and the genetic engineering of seeds, plants, and animals. These systems and practices promise to get more food to the people who need it--but the promises don't always pan out. Worse, many modern agricultural practices are harmful to the environment, to workers who product the food, and even to consumers who eat it. Gay explains that food politics will only become more complicated as Earth's climate grows warmer, bringing rising sea levels, shifting growing seasons, and shrinking freshwater supplies.

In a world in which so many are hungry, scientific advances in agriculture can have a substantial impact. Pesticides and GMOs help ensure that more of us can enjoy nutritious produce, but do they do more harm than good? From fears of causing cancer to the future of small and family farmers, there are enough questions about pesticides and GMOs to fuel their critics. Yet the list of benefits is hard to ignore. The diverse viewpoints from authoritative voices in the field will provide readers with a full picture of this complex topic.

Discusses the potato famine that devastated Ireland in the nineteenth century and led to a widespread immigration to the United States.

Thrilling new discoveries in science and technology are announced almost daily. Cutting-Edge Science and Technology keeps readers at the forefront of new research. Sustainable Agriculturecovers a broad spectrum of issues related to advances in farming technology, such as sustainable soil, sustainable water, sustainable energy, and biotechnology. High-impact photos and explanatory graphics and charts bring scientific concepts to life. Features include essential facts, a glossary, selected bibliography, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

In community gardens, people of all ages work together to improve their communities, turning abandoned lots and other plots of land into vibrant green spaces. Community gardens beautify neighborhoods, provide residents with nutritious food and flowers, and serve as places to meet and socialize. This exciting title gives teens the information they need to get a gardening project off the ground, from holding the first community meetings to harvesting what they grow. In accessible text, the author provides useful advice on designing the garden, choosing appropriate plants, and preparing the soil, as well as on planting and tending the garden. Photos will inspire readers, and a wealth of resources is provided for further support.

In a world in which so many are hungry, scientific advances in agriculture can have a substantial impact. Pesticides and GMOs help ensure that more of us can enjoy nutritious produce, but do they do more harm than good? From fears of causing cancer to the future of small and family farmers, there are enough questions about pesticides and GMOs to fuel their critics. Yet the list of benefits is hard to ignore. The diverse viewpoints from authoritative voices in the field will provide readers with a full picture of this complex topic.

An indispensible guide for savvy teens to sort food myths from reality. The everyday choices we make when it comes to food don't just have an effect on usthey also affect other people and the planet. Foodprints enables readers to do more than sort through the numerous messages they hear and read about foodthey also get the big picture about food production, marketing, and its role in society. Readers will discover: How our food system evolved from hunter gatherers to on-line ordering How mega farms and factories came to produce the bulk of our current food supply How to work through confusing nutrition advice like good and bad carbs, as well as trendy superfoods such as kale, and fad diets The role of science in the modern food system, from improving safety and convenience to GMOs and artificial flavors Stories about youth who are working to shape the future of food in positive ways, such as guerilla gardening and media activism. Select photographs and amusing artwork that pops on the page complement this lively exploration which decodes the surprisingly complex subject of one of our most basic needsthe food we eat.

Explores one of the most important uses of the land: the production of agriculture. This book helps readers learn that farms and ranches produce much more than food; but scientists, farmers, ranchers, and other landowners haven't solved conservation problems - yet.

"Provides comprehensive information on Earth's food supply and its protection, the interrelationships of the natural world, environmental problems both natural and man-made, the relative risks associated with these problems, and solutions for resolving and/or preventing them"--Provided by publisher.

Pesticides are used everywhere: in schools, homes, parks, and playgrounds, and especially in agriculturethe fruits and vegetables we eat carry the residue of one or more pesticides. In this riveting narrative, readers learn how pesticides became so popular in the United States and the many ways they can damage human healthboth in the short term and long term. Asthma and cancer are linked to pesticides, as are developmental problems such as ADHD, autism, and lowered IQ. Pesticides can affect a womans fertility and the ability to carry a pregnancy to term. Readers can take steps to protect themselves and their communities from these dangerous chemicals by dealing with pests in a safer, more environmentally friendly way. The book examines integrated pest management, government regulation of pesticides, and ways teens can contribute to a healthier future, for example, by starting a garden club at school or in the neighborhood.

We are all aware of the importance of the environment - it's in the news, it affects our behavior and the decisions we make every day. But what actual impact has environmental thinking had on the world around us? This thought-provoking book looks at the way changing ideas about the environment and sustainability have affected the way we obtain our food, and will do so in the future.

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) have never been more important. Just about every part of our lives is touched by one or more of those fields. In this book, check out many stories from the world of Agriculture, including these breaking headlines:

Introduces the importance of science to sustainable agriculture and discusses its role in promoting biodiversity, dealing with pests, raising healthy livestock without adding to pollution, and coping with climate change.

Examines the issue of food technology, covering its benefits, concerns, and the future of the industry.

Primary Agriculture is an integral part of the school curriculum in most countries of the Caribbean. This revised edition of the Caribbean Primary Agriculture series provide technological updating of the various units and topics, which are comprehensively sequences and graded to suit the various age groups and class levels of the primary school. An awareness of ecology, safety and the economic framework is an important part of the new material, which includes newly drawn pictures, both black and white and full colour.