Agriculture Key Terms

Know the terms to run a successful agriculture business
By Darcy Chadwick Work in the agricultural industry can include numerous avenues, so it's important to keep several key terms in mind. Whether it involves the U.S. government, how to care for your crops or how to sell them to everyday people, you should know the rules and regulations put in place. These restrictions are there to ensure the quality of your products as well as the health of your customers. Dive into a few of the agriculture key terms before sowing your first crop.

Farmers' market

The farmers' market is a meeting place for those wishing to sell their crops along with goods they can make with their food items. The farmers offer their products directly to the consumer. The market is usually offered during warmer weather months since it is oftentimes held outside.
Try:  Learn more about a traditional farmers' market at the New Mexico Farmers' Market.

Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation is a process used to water plants without the need for you to stand over the crops with a garden hose. Small-diameter hoses are placed on the ground near the plants' roots and are connected to a water supply.
Try:  Visit Colorado State University Extension to understand how drip irrigation works in gardens so you can apply it to your use.

Free market

Free market means that the prices of crops are determined by supply and demand. It does not rely on any help from the federal government to regulate costs. This can be beneficial to your income, as long as the system isn't being abused.
Try:  Visit Agriculture Law and scroll down the dictionary page to find the definition of a free market.

Growing season

A growing season is the time frame between spring's last freeze and fall's first frost. The time span is normally measured in days and can vary depending upon where you live as well as by crop. It's vital to know the growing season of each type of crop you plant to ensure the plant does not die due to frost.
Try:  Visit ecomii to learn more about how a growing season affects plants' growth.

Organic farming

Although there is no one rule for organic farming, the gist is that farmers who subscribe to organic harvesting do not allow any type of fertilizers, pesticides or growth regulators to intermix with their soil. If they raise livestock, then they do not provide the animals with feed additives.
Try:  Check out the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements to learn more about organic farming.

Pesticide

A pesticide is used both by those in the agriculture industry and by those who work and tend to their own backyard gardens. The chemical mixture is used to destroy pests that can damage crops. Fungicides destroy fungus, herbicides destroy plants, insecticides destroy insects and nematicides destroy nematodes.
Try:  Learn more about the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and how it relates to the use of a pesticide from the U.S. House of Representatives and its glossary from the House Committee on Agriculture.