Designed for use as supplementary instructional material in a cultural anthropology course this learning module introduces the student to some of the major trends associated with agriculture and its impact upon cultural evolution and complexity. The first section of the module describes major innovations such as animal power, irrigation and the plow, which ushered in the era of agriculture; and technological advances which supported the expansion of agricultural societies. The advances in agricultural technology brought about by the industrial revolution are described next, discussing their impact on traditional economic structures. A section on Third World issues related to agriculture examines agrarian reform and the role of multinational corporations. Next, a section explores recent developments in agriculture in the west such as capital intensive agriculture, the use of pesticides, fertilizers and corporate farms. Finally, the worldwide problem of hunger and the need for an alteration of economic priorities is described. Performance activities related to information presented in the module are included. (LAL)