From Blue to Green
ECONOMICS
Student activity based on the article "from blue to green " from the July/August 2008 Our Ohio magazine. Academic Content Standard (Social Studies – Grade 9): Economics: Explain how changing methods of production and productive resources affect how people answer the fundamental economic questions of what to produce, how to produce and for whom to produce. (** The Ohio standard focuses upon a country with regard to this content area. This article is conducive to exploring this area within the context of a family farm.) (Note: Key terms used from Ohio’s Academic Content Standards are in bold below). Discussion points- Read the article titled “from blue to green” in Our Ohio magazine.
- What business has Steve and Lisa Beilstein “nourished and groomed?”
- Why is the article titled: “from blue to green?”
- Would you call this business agriculture?
- What was “The Blueberry Patch” originally supposed to have grown?
- Why do you think the Beilstein’s decided to produce blueberries rather than apples? (How did they decide what to produce?)
- What important lesson did Steve Beilstein learn about blueberry production after his first year? How did he have to alter his production practices?
- Who picks the blueberries on the farm? The blueberries are marketed in other ways too, how? (For whom is the product produced?)
- How many people visit the farm to pick blueberries? When do they visit?
- What other people pick blueberries? Why?
- What is the business philosophy stated in the “Flattening the bumps” section of the article? What does it have to do with economics?
- The Beilsteins diversified their business. Other than blueberries, what else do they grow (produce) and sell?
- Why did Steve and Lisa decide to include more products for their customers? Is this a successful business decision? Are they serving their customers?
- What technology endeavors are the Beilsteins now incorporating into their business? Will it help to sell more products? To whom?
- How long does it take to produce a blueberry crop?
- What support does the article give for eating blueberries for health purposes? Who would buy this healthy
- What advice is given for picking blueberries?
Hands on at Home or SchoolDefine the following words: www.dictionary.comDiversified, Irrigation, Horticulture - What do blueberry plants look like? Do blueberries grow on a tree, a bush or a vine?
- Would blueberries be something you would like to produce for people to purchase? Why or why not?
- Try growing a blueberry bush at home.
- Make sure to turn your computer’s sound on when you visit the Web site. Does the music invite a buyer into the site with its creativity?
- Do you think the Beilsteins have done a good job producing products for their customers?
- How have they attracted more customers? According to the article, do they have future plans to expand their product line?
- Are there any other products or things they could do to attract more customers?
- Are students or children served by this company and what they choose to produce?
ExtensionsGeography: Map Use: Find Mansfield, Lexington and Richland County on an Ohio mapMathematics: Describe the size of an acre. How many acres of blueberries have the Beilsteins planted? Life Science: Why is the type of soil important for blueberry plants? Science: Testing the pH of your soil and adjusting it Visit the Blueberry Festival in Lexington in August! Activity was prepared by Camille Kopczewski, who is coordinator of religious education at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Grove City. She is a former sixth grade social studies teacher for South-Western City Schools. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in education.
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