Unit Assessment & Garden Journal Setup

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." — Psalm 1:3

Unit 1 Review: What You Have Learned

Over the past five lessons, you have built a Biblical and scientific foundation for the study of agriculture. Before we assess your understanding, let us review the major themes:

Lesson 1: God as Creator of All Growing Things

You learned that God created three categories of plant life on Day 3 of creation — grass, seed-bearing herbs, and fruit trees — each reproducing "after its kind." You studied the three essentials for plant growth: light (captured through photosynthesis using chlorophyll), water (transported through xylem, maintaining turgor pressure), and soil (a living ecosystem of minerals, organic matter, organisms, air, and water). The ideal garden soil is loam — a balanced mixture of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter.

Lesson 2: The Garden of Eden as First Agriculture

You discovered that God is the first Gardener, planting a gan (enclosed garden) in Eden (meaning "delight"). The two Hebrew verbs of Genesis 2:15 — abad (to cultivate/work) and shamar (to guard/protect) — define the agricultural calling as productive cultivation paired with protective stewardship. Eden's design principles include: secure water first, plant for both beauty and food, embrace biodiversity, and respect God's boundaries.

Lesson 3: Biblical Agriculture Through the Ages

You traced agriculture from the curse of Genesis 3 (thorns, thistles, sweat) through Cain's farming, Noah's vineyard, Isaac's hundredfold harvest, Joseph's grain storage, and the agricultural legislation of Moses. The Sabbath year (Shmita) let the land rest every seven years. Gleaning laws required leaving harvest for the poor. The Jubilee returned land to original families. Israel's three pilgrimage festivals — Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles — all aligned with the agricultural calendar. Jesus used farming imagery extensively because His audience understood agriculture deeply.

Lesson 4: Stewardship vs Exploitation

You contrasted Biblical stewardship (oikonomia — managing God's property faithfully) with exploitation. The Dust Bowl demonstrated the devastating consequences of removing native vegetation without regard for soil health. You learned five sustainable practices: crop rotation (different crops in sequence), cover cropping (protecting soil during off-season), composting (returning organic matter to soil), mulching (covering soil surface), and integrated pest management (a hierarchy of least-invasive pest control methods).

Lesson 5: Agriculture & The Great Commission

You learned that agriculture and missions have been inseparable throughout church history — from Benedictine monasteries preserving farming knowledge (Ora et Labora) to Moravian missions building self-sustaining agricultural communities to modern organizations combining agricultural training with Gospel proclamation. You identified practical ways to serve: community gardens, teaching farming skills, donating produce, seed libraries, and youth garden programs.

Setting Up Your Garden Journal

Your Garden Journal is one of the most important tools you will use throughout this entire program. Professional farmers keep detailed records, and so will you. A good garden journal helps you:

• Track what works — which varieties produced well, which did not
• Learn from mistakes — why did the tomatoes get blight? When did the first frost come?
• Plan ahead — when to start seeds, when to transplant, when to harvest
• Observe God's creation — nature journaling deepens your understanding of the living world
• Build a personal knowledge base — after a few seasons, your journal becomes your most valuable agricultural reference

What You Need

Your garden journal can be:

• A dedicated physical notebook (composition book, spiral notebook, or three-ring binder) — recommended for durability and the ability to sketch freely
• A digital document or spreadsheet if you prefer typing
• The DigitalNotebookChirho provided in this course

Setting Up Your Journal Sections

Divide your journal into these sections. Write a tab or header for each:

Section 1: Garden Plan & Goals This is where you keep your garden layout, what you plan to grow, and your measurable goals for the season. You began this in Lesson 2 with your "Eden-Inspired Garden Plan."

Write down at least three goals for your first growing season. Goals should be specific and measurable:

• GOOD: "Grow three tomato plants from seed to harvest by September"
• GOOD: "Build one compost bin and produce usable compost within 4 months"
• GOOD: "Donate at least 10 pounds of produce to the local food bank"
• TOO VAGUE: "Have a nice garden" (How will you know when you have achieved this?)

Section 2: Planting Log For every crop you plant, record: date planted, variety name, seed source, location in garden, spacing, depth planted, days to germination (expected and actual), transplant date if applicable, and any notes.

Example entry: | Field | Entry | |-------|-------| | Date Planted | March 15 | | Crop | Tomato | | Variety | Roma | | Seed Source | Baker Creek Seeds | | Location | Raised Bed #1, south end | | Spacing | 24 inches apart | | Depth | 1/4 inch | | Expected Germination | 5-10 days | | Actual Germination | Day 7 | | Notes | Started indoors under grow light |

Section 3: Weather & Observations Record weekly (or daily if you are dedicated): temperature highs and lows, rainfall amounts, unusual weather, frost dates, first and last freeze. Over time, this data becomes invaluable for planning.

Section 4: Soil Records Record any soil tests, amendments added (compost, lime, fertilizer), mulch applied, and observations about soil condition. Your Lesson 4 "Soil Health Investigation" belongs here.

Section 5: Harvest Log Record every harvest: date, crop, variety, amount (by weight or count), quality notes. This tells you which varieties perform best in your specific conditions.

Section 6: Problems & Solutions Record any pest issues, diseases, weather damage, or failures — and what you did about them. This is your most important learning section. Failures teach more than successes.

Section 7: Sketches & Nature Observations Draw plants at different growth stages, sketch insects you find (both helpful and harmful), record birds and pollinators you observe. This section connects farming to nature study and deepens your understanding of the ecosystem God created.

Section 8: Scripture & Reflections Copy verses related to agriculture, stewardship, and creation. Write reflections on how your garden work connects to your walk with God. Record prayers for your garden and for the people you hope to feed.

Your First Journal Entry

For today's assessment activity, complete your first formal garden journal entry:

1. Title page: Write your name, the date, and "Garden Journal — For the glory of God who planted the first garden (Genesis 2:8)"
2. Goals page: Write at least three specific, measurable goals for your garden this season
3. First observation: Go outside (or to a window) and spend 5 minutes observing any plants you can see. Sketch one plant and describe it: What kind is it? Is it healthy? What is the soil like around it? Is it getting enough light and water?
4. Reflection: Write 3-4 sentences answering: "Why does farming and gardening matter to God, based on what I learned in Unit 1?"

Looking Ahead

In Unit 2, we will move from foundations to action. You will learn about soil science in depth — soil types, pH testing, soil amendments, and how to build healthy soil from scratch. You will begin preparing your actual growing space, whether that is an in-ground bed, a raised bed, containers, or an indoor growing area. The theory you learned in Unit 1 becomes practice in Unit 2.

Keep your garden journal close. You will use it every day from here forward. And remember: the same God who planted Eden, who sends rain on the just and the unjust, who clothes the lilies of the field more gloriously than Solomon — that God walks with you into your garden.