Impact of Farming Practices on Communities

The transcript explores the transformation of farming practices in Iowa, focusing on George Naylor's farm. It highlights the shift from diverse crops to predominantly corn and soybeans, driven by hybrid and GMO seeds. This change has increased yields but also led to the decline of rural communities and traditional farming methods.

What was the main challenge the narrator faced while driving the tractor on George Naylor's farm?

• Avoiding rocks in the field

• Finding the right seeds to plant

• Keeping the tractor in a straight line

• Communicating with George Naylor

What was the primary crop grown on George Naylor's farm?

• Wheat

• Barley

• Rice

• Corn

How has the number of farmers changed from the early 20th century to today?

• It has fluctuated without a clear trend

• It has decreased significantly

• It has remained the same

• It has increased significantly

What was the role of horses on farms before the introduction of tractors?

• They were bred for meat

• They were used to transport goods to market

• They were the primary source of labor

• They were used for entertainment

What was a major consequence of the introduction of hybrid corn?

• Farmers could save seeds for the next season

• Yields decreased significantly

• Farmers had to buy new seeds every year

• Corn became less resistant to diseases

What is one reason why hybrid corn was successful?

• It grew faster than other crops

• It was cheaper to produce

• It could be planted closer together

• It required less water

What is a key feature of genetically modified corn?

• It is resistant to all pests

• It is less productive than hybrid corn

• It contains genes from other organisms

• It is bred using traditional methods

Why do some farmers refuse to grow GMO crops?

• They yield less than traditional crops

• They believe GMOs are a reckless experiment

• They require more labor

• They are more expensive

What has been a significant impact of industrial farming on rural communities?

• Improved local education systems

• More diverse crop production

• Decline in population and local businesses

• Increased population and business growth

What has happened to the town of Cheran as a result of changes in farming practices?

• It has become a ghost town

• It has become a tourist attraction

• It has remained unchanged

• It has become a bustling city