3.2+Our+Practices+Can+Improve+or+Degrade+Soil 


 * To be economically sustainable, farmers need to make more money with their crops than they**


 * spend to grow their crops. They are able to do this by using very large machinery that can cover**


 * large parcels of land as they seed and harvest their crops. They also need to add fertilizer to the**


 * soil to increase the yield and irrigate to provide the need moisture for growth of the crop. Most**


 * farmers only grow one type of crop in one particular area - this is known as monoculture.**

Discussion Topic 1: Fertilizers

 * - Fertilizer Use on farms**

**- How to read fertilizer package** - to use or not to use fertilizers
 * - Components of typical fertilizers**

Discussion Topic 2: Irrigation
- what is irrigation and when to use it - different types of irrigation techniques for crops (farming, agriculture, etc)

Discussion Topic 3: Clearing The Land
- how have ways to clear the land for farming changed over time?

- clearing the land can cause salinization. What is this, why does it occur (Brayden showed us this at dry island buffalo jump), and how can the problem be corrected?

- What are some best practices in farming?

Discussion Topic 4: Saving the Soil
- how can soil erosion be prevented through farming practices?

- What is zero tillage?

- What are shelterbelts for? Has anyone seen them near red deer?

Discussion Topic 5: Growing without soil
- How can we grow plants without soil?