Requirements January 1928 until January 1957

1. Explain the nature of soil, its texture, its need of water, of air, and of plant and animal life; what the soil does for the plant, and how the soil may be improved.
2. Make a seed tester and test the germination of three chosen varieties of seeds,--100 seeds of each variety.
3. Identify and describe ten common weeds of the community and tell how best to eliminate them.
4. Identify six common insect pests, tell what plants they usually infest, and how best to control them.
5. Have a practical knowledge, for his locality, of plowing, cultivating, harrowing, disking, draining, and harvesting, and the purposes of each. Describe also the farm implements used in each case.
6. Tell how plants are propagated,--by seeds, roots, cuttings, tubers, buds, and grafts. Explain where plants get their food and how they grow.
7. Read a weather map, know weather signals, and the making of local observations.
8. Name and distinguish ten common birds of his locality, and state their value to the farmer.

Requirements January 1957 until June 1972

1. Explain the nature of soil, its texture, its need of water, of air, and of plant and animal life; what the soil does for the plant, and how the soil may be improved.
2. Make a seed tester and test the germination of three chosen varieties of seeds,--100 seeds of each variety.
3. Identify and describe ten common weeds of the community and tell how best to eliminate them.
4. Identify six common insect pests, tell what plants they usually infest, and how best to control them.
5. Have a practical knowledge, for his locality, of plowing, cultivating, harrowing, disking, draining, and harvesting, and the purposes of each. Describe also the farm implements used in each case.
6. Tell how plants are propagated,--by seeds, roots, cuttings, tubers, buds, and grafts. Explain where plants get their food and how they grow.
7. Read a weather map, know weather signals, and the making of local observations.
8. Name and distinguish ten common birds of his locality, and state their value to the farmer.

This merit badge may be earned as a 4-H?er by completing a club project in that subject or as an FFA member by meeting these requirements through the FFA - supervised farming program.