Farmland Conversion

Teaching Guide

Topic: Farmland Conversion

Host: Hannah Harrell

Guests: Dr. Charley Martinez, University of Tennessee

Kendrick Curtis and Matt Von Lunen, Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association

Description: Farmland conversion has become a rising issue for the agriculture industry in Tennessee in recent years. In the last 20 years, the state of Tennessee has lost over a million acres of farmland, whether that be to contractors, housing, or infrastructure developments. Some see this phenomenon as progress for a more successful Tennessee, while others who are involved in or in support of Tennessee agriculture see this as a threat to the success of the industry. 

Objectives:

I can define what farmland conversion is.   

I can identify two (2) causes and two (2) effects of farmland conversion.

I can differentiate between positive and negative effects of farmland conversion to form my own opinion on the topic.

Pre-Viewing Questions:

How do you define farmland conversion?

List 3 reasons why farmland conversion is happening at such a high rate in Tennessee.

Why do you think farmland conversion is controversial?

Guided Questions:

What states were Mr. Curtis and Mr. Von Lunen from?

What does the term “highest and best use” mean in the context of land development? 

 What kind of family farm operation did Mr. Curtis grow up on, and what issues did they face?

What are Dr. Martinez’s specialty areas?

What “caveat” of land use does Dr. Martinez include under the theme of farmland conversion?

What programs through the University of Tennessee does Dr. Martinez suggest for agricultural producers to protect their operations in the future?

Post-Listening Questions:  

After hearing the differing perspectives, has your definition of farmland conversion changed? Why or why not?

List and describe two (2) causes and two (2) effects of farmland conversion.

Based on the information in the episode, what do you think are the largest consequences of farmland conversion? List and describe two (2) positive consequences and two (2) negative consequences. 

Scoring Rubric for Post-Listening Questions

Post-Listening Question 1: 

Level 1: The student states whether or not their definition of farmland conversion has changed in the form of bullet points or incomplete sentence(s), and/or fails to provide their own reasoning. 

Level 2: The student states whether or not their definition of farmland conversion has changed in the form of bullet points or incomplete sentence(s), and provides their own reasoning. 

Level 3: The student states whether or not their definition of farmland conversion has changed in the form of complete sentence(s), and provides their own reasoning. 

Post-Listening Question 2: 

Level 1: The student lists and describes either 1 cause or 1 effect in the form of bullet points.

Level 2: The student lists and describes 1 cause and 1 effect in the form of either bullet points or incomplete sentences(s).

Level 3: The student lists and describes 2 causes and 2 effects in the form of a complete sentence(s).

Post-Listening Question 3: 

Level 1: The student lists and describes either 1 positive consequence or 1 negative consequence in the form of bullet points.

Level 2: The student lists and describes 1 positive consequence and 1 negative consequence in the form of either bullet points or incomplete sentences(s).

Level 3: The student lists and describes 2 positive consequences and 2 negative consequences in the form of a complete sentence(s).