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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the beginning of the food chain is ________, which surprised Pollan when he realized this.

2. What is the name of the person who began to take away the programs to help the farmers?

3. Salatin points out that being ________ doesn't necessarily mean that a farm is also going to be sustainable.

4. Where is the farm that George Naylor runs when Pollan goes to visit him to learn more?

5. Organic farms might still look like industrial farms, but they do not use ___________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the reasons why Pollan calls farms and humans imperfect natural systems?

2. What does a person need to know in order to succeed with grass farming?

3. What happens during the wet mill process of processing corn?

4. What are the three different parts of the food chain that Pollan follows in this book?

5. What does the Salatin farm not need to use because it practices other methods of pest control and fertilization?

6. What did Pollan feel about the meal that he had that was made from all organic foods?

7. What is the hybrid corn that is described in this section of the book?

8. What does Naylor admit that he and most other growers grow in their corn fields?

9. Why are the chicken pens slowly moved around the pasture during the day?

10. What was the role of Earl Butz in the corn industry, according to the book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The way that the cows are handled in industrial farms allows more chance of disease to the cow and to the human who eats the beef.

Part 1: How do you think animals should be treated when they are being raised as food?

Part 2: Do you think it's right to eat animals?

Part 3: Why do you think animals' health and well-being aren't always supported by those who raise them?

Essay Topic 2

Farmers continue to have to grow more and more corn to keep up with the supply and demand, but it's harming their farms.

Part 1: What are some of the problems of only growing corn in a field?

Part 2: Do you think that farmers should be pushed to grow so much corn?

Part 3: Why do you think farmers aren't trying to grow more diverse crops?

Essay Topic 3

Salatin talks to Pollan about the ways in which a farm can grow in line with the Earth to be more productive and healthy.

Part 1: Do you think that organic growing is the best way to grow for food supplies?

Part 2: Why do you think organic growing methods aren't always the best choice?

Part 3: Do you think that organic growing is more of a trend than a way of life?

(see the answer keys)

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