Additional Resources

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At least 75% of responding teachers will report an increase in student knowledge of at least two aspects of Florida’s beef cattle industry and/or its importance to the state of Florida as measured by survey. 

Some Examples of Concepts/Topics:

• The history of cattle ranching in Florida 
  • The first cattle were brought to the continental US by the early Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce De Leon in 1521. (SC.4.A.3.1)
  • The first settlers in Florida were Spanish missionaries who introduced Native Americans to cattle ranching. Today, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has one of the largest cow/calf herds in the nation (SS.4.A.3.2)
  • Much of how cattle are raised today is similar to the ways of early Florida pioneers with the tools we use (dogs, horses, whips) (SS 4.A. 4.2)
• The day to day activities/tools/skills of a Florida Cowboy (SS .4.FL.1.1)
• Florida’s physical features (woods, swamps, pastures, scrubs, etc) that can be found on ranchlands (SS .4.G.1.1)
• The environmental benefits of ranchlands (SS. 4.L.17.4)
  • Native plant and animal populations that thrive on ranchlands
  • Carbon sequestration
  • Aquifer recharge
  • Reducing surface runoff and erosion
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • Land conservation
• Cattle provide meat and by-products
• Cattle convert plant material to energy and protein that is a food source for people and other animals (SC .4.L.17.2)

At least 75% of responding teachers will report positive changes in attitudes of students of at least two aspects of Florida’s beef cattle industry and/or its importance to the state of Florida as measured by survey.

Some Examples of Attitudes:

• Interest in becoming a Florida rancher
• Favorable attitude toward Florida cattle ranchers
• Expressed appreciation of the environmental benefits that ranchlands provide
• Expressed appreciation for meat and by-products provided by beef cattle
• Appreciation of the aesthetics or cultural values of Florida ranchers/ranches
• Changes in attitudes toward raising cattle
• Perception of ranchers as environmental stewards
• Believe that it's important to conserve and protect ranchlands
• Others