Agriculture is the practice of growing crops and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products people need. When farmers plant wheat fields, tend orchards, or raise cattle, they're practicing agriculture.

Agriculture transformed human civilization about 10,000 years ago. Before agriculture, people survived by hunting animals and gathering wild plants, moving constantly to find food. Once people learned to plant seeds and domesticate animals, they could stay in one place, build permanent homes, and store surplus food. This allowed populations to grow and freed some people to become craftspeople, merchants, teachers, and inventors rather than spending all their time searching for their next meal.

Modern agriculture looks very different from ancient farming. Today's farmers use tractors instead of oxen, precision equipment guided by satellites, and scientific knowledge about soil, genetics, and pest control. Yet the fundamental goal remains the same: producing the food that feeds humanity.

The word agricultural describes anything related to farming. An agricultural region is an area where farming is the main activity. Agricultural science studies ways to grow food more efficiently and sustainably.