Chatham County agriculture quiz

By Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent
Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2007

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Pittsboro, NC - Test your knowledge of local agriculture with the following quiz.

What is the number one agricultural commodity produced in Chatham County (the one that is the most important economically)?
timber
ornamental crops
vegetables
poultry

What are the top three agricultural commodities produced in North Carolina?
tobacco, cotton, and broilers (chickens)
hogs, broilers, and greenhouse/nursery crops
beef cattle, Christmas trees, and corn
soybeans, peanuts, and hogs
tomatoes, apples, and tobacco

 

Produce farmers in Chatham County usually grow a mixture of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits. How many different crop varieties does a typical farmer grow?
10-20 different varieties
30-40 different varieties
50-60 different varieties
70-80 different varieties

 

When you shop at one of Chatham County's two farmers' markets, you will never find bananas, pineapples, avocados, or oranges. Why?
because they are too expensive
because the market does not allow vendors to sell fruit
because these crops cannot be grown locally
because they are always sold out

 

Many farmers in Chatham County farm organically. How is organic agriculture different from conventional agriculture?
organic farmers do not use any pesticides
organic farmers rely more on preventing problems rather than treating problems
animal manures are not allowed in organic agriculture
organic farmers do not have to keep good records

 

Chatham County is home to Sunny Slope Greenhouses, producers of greenhouse tomatoes since 1979. What is the advantage of growing tomatoes in a greenhouse?
the cost of production is lower
tomatoes can be harvested much earlier than field-grown tomatoes, providing an early market for the grower
greenhouse production requires less labor
the greenhouse eliminates pest and disease problems

 

Which of these crops is most closely related to tomato (in the same botanical family)?
tobacco
cucumber
apple
corn

 

How many farms in Chatham County are operated by women?
approximately 100, about 10% of the total farms in the county
approximately 25, about 2% of the total farms in the county
approximately 200, about 20% of the total farms in the county
approximately 160, about 15% of the total farms in the county

 

Approximately how many dairy cows do we have in North Carolina, and about how much milk does each one produce each year?
20,000 dairy cows, and each produces about 1,000 lbs. of milk per year in NC
130,000 dairy cows, and each produces about 12,000 lbs. of milk per year in NC
200,000 dairy cows, and each produces about 25,000 lbs. of milk per year in NC
64,000 dairy cows, and each produces about 17,000 pounds of milk per year in NC

In 1965, Chatham County had about 200 dairies. How many do we have in the county now?
227
154
12
78

 

Chatham County ranks #___ in North Carolina for number of beef cattle.
#10 with about 3,000 beef cattle
#7 with about 8,000 beef cattle
#3 with about 16,000 beef cattle
#1 with about 40,000 beef cattle

How are the majority of beef cattle sold in Chatham County?
live through livestock auction
slaughtered and sold directly to area grocery stores
slaughtered and sold through the farmers' markets

 

Several farmers in Chatham County raise goats. What agricultural products and services do goats provide?
meat
milk for making cheese
milk for making soap
weed control
all of the above

 

Chatham County is home to the state's only water buffalo herd, at Nu Horizons Farm in Pittsboro. What are water buffalo famous for providing?
protection for other animals
buffalo hides
rodeo rides
milk for making premium mozarella cheese
all of the above

 

What are cover crops?
crops planted to improve soil quality
crops planted to reduce soil erosion
crops planted to provide nutrients for cash crops
all of the above

 

Organic farmers rely on beneficial insects to help control crop insect pests. Which of the following insects are considered beneficial? Check all that apply.
ladybird beetle
cucumber beetle
parasitic wasp
lacewing larva
assassin bug

 

Some of our area farmers are raising pastured turkeys to sell for Thanksgiving dinner. What are the benefits of raising turkeys on pasture? Check all that apply.
it is easier for the farmer
foraging turkeys eat alot of insect pests
the turkeys freely move around and leave behind manure which provides nutrients for later crops
provides a cheaper turkey for consumers
many believe pasture-raised turkeys taste better

 

Many Chatham County vegetable farmers also raise pastured chickens and sell the eggs along with their vegetables and flowers. Do you know what an "egg-mobile" is?
portable shelter for chickens where they can lay their eggs
a place to buy eggs
the name of the truck that carries the eggs to market
none of the above

 

How many broilers (chickens raised for meat) were produced in Chatham County in 2002?
about 1 million
about 3 million
about 10,000
about 40 million

ANSWERS

What is the number one agricultural commodity produced in Chatham County (the one that is the most important economically)?

poultry

What are the top three agricultural commodities produced in North Carolina?

hogs, broilers, and greenhouse/nursery crops

Small farmers in Chatham County usually grow a mixture of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits. How many different crop varieties does a typical farmer grow?

70-80 different varieties

When you shop at one of Chatham County's two farmers' markets, you will never find bananas, pineapples, avocados, or oranges. Why?

because they are not locally grown, and both Chatham markets are "growers only" markets, meaning growers are only allowed to sell what they have grown themselves

Many farmers in Chatham County farm organically. How is organic agriculture different from conventional agriculture?

organic farmers rely more on preventing problems rather than treating problems

Chatham County is home to Sunny Slope Greenhouses, producers of greenhouse tomatoes since 1979. What is the advantage of growing tomatoes in a greenhouse?

tomatoes can be harvested much earlier than field-grown tomatoes, providing an early market for the grower

Which of these crops is most closely related to tomato (in the same botanical family)?

tobacco

How many farms in Chatham County are operated by women?

approximately 100, about 10% of the total farms in the county

Approximately how many dairy cows do we have in North Carolina, and about how much milk does each one produce each year?

64,000 dairy cows, and each produces about 17,000 pounds of milk per year in NC

In 1965, Chatham County had about 200 dairies. How many do we have in the county now?

12

Chatham County ranks #___ in North Carolina for number of beef cattle.

#3 with about 16,000 beef cattle

How are the majority of beef cattle sold in Chatham County?

live through livestock auction

Several farmers in Chatham County raise goats. What agricultural products and services do goats provide?

all of the above

Chatham County is home to the state's only water buffalo herd, at Nu Horizons Farm in Pittsboro. What are water buffalo famous for providing?

milk for making premium mozzarella cheese

What are cover crops?

all of the above

Organic farmers rely on beneficial insects to help control crop insect pests. Which of the following insects are considered beneficial? Check all that apply.

ladybird beetle
parasitic wasp
lacewing larva
assassin bug

Some of our area farmers are raising pastured turkeys to sell for Thanksgiving dinner. What are the benefits of raising turkeys on pasture? Check all that apply.

foraging turkeys eat alot of insect pests
the turkeys freely move around and leave behind manure which provides nutrients for later crops
many believe pasture-raised turkeys taste better

Many Chatham County vegetable farmers also raise pastured chickens and sell the eggs along with their vegetables and flowers. Do you know what an "egg-mobile" is?

portable shelter for chickens where they can lay their eggs (a tractor is used to move the pen around the fields)

How many broilers (chickens raised for meat) were produced in Chatham County in 2002?

about 40 million