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HEROES & VILLAINS
Garden Helpers and Pests Farm Learning from Our Table Cooperative Click Links for Materials LISTEN TO BOOKS READ ALOUD:
VOCABULARY |
Every farm or backyard garden is a part of an interconnected community or ecosystem composed of sunlight, water, plants, insects, animals and lots of other organisms.
Everything in the garden has a job to do and most of the time that job is focused on either growing or eating (getting energy). Plants use sun and water to make energy. Insects and animals eat plants and other animals to make energy. The connection between plants and animals needing each other for energy is called a food chain. Within that food chain is a whole marvelous cast of characters that farmers and gardeners consider helpful heroes. They play a vital role in keeping a farm or garden healthy and thriving so we can eat, too! However, there are a few creatures lurking in the garden that we may think of as endlessly hungry and mischievous villains that can sometimes disrupt the food chain if they have an opportunity to take over. Join us to learn all about our favorite heroes, villains and double agents in the garden and on the farm. They all serve a purpose and have a place in the food chain...and that’s long before those tasty fruits and veggies from the field even have a chance to make it to your plate. Fun Facts: Did you know that one ladybug can eat up to 5,000 insects in its lifetime? Or that worms have been on Earth for over 600 million years? That's even before dinosaurs! Or did you know that a kestrel, the smallest raptor in America, can fly almost 39mph to swoop down on its prey? And even though pesky moles and gophers are known for making holes in our lawns and munching on our favorite veggie roots and earthworm friends, they also help dredge up important nutrients that plants need to grow and survive from deep in the earth and their tunnels help aerate the soil to keep water moving and oxygen flowing… oh...and the snakes get to make their homes in their tunnels as well. Something to think about: Which creatures do you think are garden heroes? Which are the villains? Might there be a few double agents? What can farmers do to help balance the farm ecosystem and keep the fields and crops healthy? DOWNLOADABLE CURRICULUM
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© The Manav Foundation, 2016
HEROES & VILLAINS
Garden Helpers and Pests Farm Learning from Our Table Cooperative Click Links for Materials LISTEN TO BOOKS READ ALOUD:
VOCABULARY |
Every farm or backyard garden is a part of an interconnected community or ecosystem composed of sunlight, water, plants, insects, animals and lots of other organisms.
Everything in the garden has a job to do and most of the time that job is focused on either growing or eating (getting energy). Plants use sun and water to make energy. Insects and animals eat plants and other animals to make energy. The connection between plants and animals needing each other for energy is called a food chain. Within that food chain is a whole marvelous cast of characters that farmers and gardeners consider helpful heroes. They play a vital role in keeping a farm or garden healthy and thriving so we can eat, too! However, there are a few creatures lurking in the garden that we may think of as endlessly hungry and mischievous villains that can sometimes disrupt the food chain if they have an opportunity to take over. Join us to learn all about our favorite heroes, villains and double agents in the garden and on the farm. They all serve a purpose and have a place in the food chain...and that’s long before those tasty fruits and veggies from the field even have a chance to make it to your plate. Fun Facts: Did you know that one ladybug can eat up to 5,000 insects in its lifetime? Or that worms have been on Earth for over 600 million years? That's even before dinosaurs! Or did you know that a kestrel, the smallest raptor in America, can fly almost 39mph to swoop down on its prey? And even though pesky moles and gophers are known for making holes in our lawns and munching on our favorite veggie roots and earthworm friends, they also help dredge up important nutrients that plants need to grow and survive from deep in the earth and their tunnels help aerate the soil to keep water moving and oxygen flowing… oh...and the snakes get to make their homes in their tunnels as well. Something to think about: Which creatures do you think are garden heroes? Which are the villains? Might there be a few double agents? What can farmers do to help balance the farm ecosystem and keep the fields and crops healthy? DOWNLOADABLE CURRICULUM
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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