Fulton County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Ben Rudy visited the 2ng grade classes at Fulton County Elementary School after while they were studying a science lesson on soil and its importance.   During his demonstration, he utilized an apple to represent the earth and slicing portions of the apple to represent how the earth in utilized by different percentages. Here is a breakdown of earth in percentages that was presented to the class by slicing the apple into smaller and smaller sections:

• 75% of the earth is covered in water
• 25% of the earth is dry land
  • 12.5%  of the dryland represents deserts, swamps, polar or mountainous regions that are too hot or cold or too high in altitude to be productive.
  • 3% represents flooded areas that remain too wet for food production but are not swampy areas.
  • 3% represents land that is too rocky or not fertile enough for food production.
  • 3% represents area that are too hot.
  • 3% represents the percentage of the world developed by man.
  • .5 – 1% (The Apple Peel from the 3% section of the apple) represents the percentage of the earth that is used for food production.

He explained how the world population continues to grow, and by utilizing technology, improved crop varieties and genetics, and other advancements 1 farmer can now feed 166 people.   But that demand will continue to grow as the population continues to grow.  After the lesson the students were given time to complete and color a pie chart about how the world’s surface is classified and also enjoyed a health fresh apple snack.