Science

Technology
Engineering
Mathematics
Of Growing Food
Presented by
Dennis M. Grim
Born Again Gardens LLC
Synergy Education Research Farm

About our Presenter

Dennis M. Grim, Owner/Operator Born Again Gardens, LLC
President, Synergy Education Research Farm
AAS Horticulture & Landscape Technology,
Indian River State College
Pest Control Operations Technical Diploma
Indian River State College
Landscape & Horticulture Professional Certificate
Indian River State College
Commercial Pesticide Applicators License CM21926
Florida Department of Agriculture
Best Management Practices
Florida Green Industries, IFAS Extension
Certified Horticulture Professional HC5 9135
Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association
ISA Certified Arborist
International Society of Arboriculture

What does
growing food
have to do with
Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics ?

Plants have STEMs

Science
Plant Biology, Chemistry of
nutrients

Technology
New ways of growing? Testing
instruments, vertical growing

Engineering
The design and construction of
farms and growing systems

Mathematics
Calculating volume, nutrients

What you will learn

What are the trends in foods today?
What are Genetically modified organism (GMO)?
What are the different types of growing methods
How are they different but have the same results?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
What is Hydroponics?
What is Aquaponics?
What are the different growing medias and advantage and disadvantage of each?
Why grow vertically?
What are the different parts of a plant and what are their functions?
What are the essential nutrients a plant needs?
What type of growing system should I use?
What is Vermicomposting

What are GMOs ?

Genetic engineering
enables scientists to
create plants, animals
and microorganisms by
manipulating genes in a
way that does not occur
naturally.

The GMO Process

Desired trait of a living thing is identified
Beneficial trait is adapted to a new plant
Plant is tested for food and environmental safety
and nutritional value
New plant is better able to thrive
Third party organizations have reviewed the data
on GMOs and are in agreement to their safety.

 Are GMOs safe?

Most developed nations do not consider GMOs to be safe.
In more than 60 countries around the world, including
Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European
Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on
the production and sale of GMOs.
In the U.S., the government has approved GMOs based on
studies conducted by the same corporations that created
them and profit from their sale. Increasingly, Americans are
taking matters into their own hands and choosing to opt
out of the GMO experiment

What are the impacts of GMOs on the environment?

Over 80% of all GMOs grown worldwide are engineered for
herbicide tolerance. As a result, use of toxic herbicides like
Roundup has increased 15 times since GMOs were
introduced.
GMO crops are also responsible for the emergence of
super weeds and super bugs: which can only be killed
with ever more toxic poisons like 2,4-D (a major ingredient
in Agent Orange).
GMOs are a direct extension of chemical agriculture, and
are developed and sold by the worlds biggest chemical
companies. The long-term impacts of GMOs are unknown,
and once released into the environment these novel
organisms cannot be recalled.

What do you think

about GMOs?

Assignment
Serf the net to find out all you can about the
Genetic Modified Organism controversy.
Write down your thoughts and where you stand
on the issue of GMOs
Be prepare to discuss your stand in next
coming class

Lab
Tour Hydro Garden

leaders in agriculture
By Sherri Brown
Monsanto
Share:
This blog is re-published from FeedNourishThrive.org.
Were all aware of the challenge by now: to sustainably meet the needs of our growing population, we must
double food production by 2050 while using water, land and other resources more efficiently. Its a big challenge,
and one that will require a wide range of ideas, resources and expertise to accomplish. More and more, were
seeing important contributions from thinkers with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) backgrounds
and we need to continue fostering and encouraging the next generation.
The STEM Food & Ag Council (SFAC), a project of STEMconnector, which Monsanto is a member, announced a new
campaign to encourage the next generation of bright minds to pursue STEM careers in food and agriculture. The
campaign, called Feed, Nourish, Thrive, aims to increase awareness of the workforce needs (and opportunities)
that currently exist at the intersection of STEM and agriculture. Indeed, only 61 percent of STEM food and
agriculture labor demand is currently met through our schools of food, agriculture and renewable natural
resources.
The Feed, Nourish, Thrive campaign emphasizes three key characteristics of STEM careers in food and agriculture:
You can make a real difference
You can have fun while doing it
You can earn a great living.
At the core of the campaign is an interactive website that will connect young people with resources to help foster
their interest and engagement in these areas. The website, feednourishthrive.org, features a variety of dynamic
content, including career opportunities and videos featuring many potential public and private sector employers.
The website is open for content submissions and will continue to evolve as the campaign builds momentum.
Of course, no campaign targeting millennials would be complete without a social media element. One key way the
campaign will come to life on social media is through the #FeedNThrive hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. We
encourage anyone interested in STEM and food & agriculture to join the conversation.
Making a balanced meal accessible to all in a sustainable way will require a diversity of backgrounds and expertise
and STEM will increasingly be on the front lines. This campaign is just one way to help young people understand
both the importance of STEM in food & agriculture and the opportunities available for them to make a significant
impact in the world.
My STEM-journey has brought me here, where has it taken you?