Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Solutions — Reading Comprehension

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This comprehensive passage introduces students in grades 6-8 to the concept of sustainable agriculture and its role in climate solutions, aligning with NGSS science standards. Students will explore how farming practices can protect the environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support healthy communities. Key scientific vocabulary is highlighted and defined, making complex ideas accessible. Real-world examples, such as crop rotation and using renewable energy on farms, show how these concepts are applied in everyday life. The passage is audio integrated, includes a glossary, a Spanish translation, and engaging activities such as a multiple-choice quiz and writing prompts. This resource helps students strengthen reading comprehension, expand science vocabulary, and make connections between science and real-world issues, all while supporting English and Spanish learners.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Sustainable agriculture is a way of farming that protects the environment, supports communities, and helps fight climate change. It uses methods that keep the soil healthy, save water, and reduce pollution. Traditional farming can harm the environment by using too many chemicals and causing soil erosion, which is when soil gets washed or blown away.

One important goal of sustainable agriculture is to lower the amount of greenhouse gases released into the air. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide and methane. They trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, causing climate change. Climate change can lead to extreme weather, rising sea levels, and harm to plants and animals.

To help the planet, farmers can use crop rotation. This means planting different crops in the same field each year. Crop rotation keeps the soil rich in nutrients and prevents pests from taking over. Another method is using compost, which is made from food scraps and plant waste. Adding compost to soil makes it healthier without the need for chemical fertilizers.

Conservation tillage is another technique. Instead of plowing the soil deeply, farmers leave crop remains on the field. This helps keep moisture in the soil and stops erosion. Using less water is also important. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of plants, saving a lot of water compared to spraying fields.

Sustainable agriculture also uses renewable energy, like solar panels and wind turbines, to power farms. These energy sources do not pollute the air and help reduce greenhouse gases. Some farms raise animals in ways that are better for the environment, such as letting cows and chickens graze freely on grasslands.

People everywhere can help by buying food from local farmers who use sustainable practices. Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—and less meat—can also lower greenhouse gas emissions. When communities and farmers work together, they can make a big difference for the planet.

Interesting Fact: Some plants, like clover and beans, naturally add nitrogen to the soil, which helps other crops grow without extra fertilizer.

What is sustainable agriculture?

Farming that protects the environmentFarming that uses more chemicalsFarming that ignores soil healthFarming only with animals

Which gas traps heat in Earth's atmosphere?

OxygenCarbon dioxideHydrogenNitrogen

What does crop rotation help prevent?

Soil nutrients lossPests taking overBoth A and BNone of these

Why do farmers use drip irrigation?

To water leavesTo save waterTo spray fieldsTo use more water

How does conservation tillage help soil?

Removes all moistureKeeps moisture and prevents erosionAdds more chemicalsDamages the soil

Solar panels and wind turbines use renewable energy.