self-sufficiency: A simple traditional way of farming with little use of modern technology that provides only enough food and other necessary materials for a family. Farmers benefit from achieving self-sufficiency for food security and sustainability.
soilless gardening: same as hydroponics. Using soilless gardening techniques provides farmers with innovative methods for growing crops, enhancing productivity and sustainability.
scarecrow: A figure shaped like a man, wearing old clothes, put in fields to keep birds away from growing crops. Farmers benefit from using scarecrows to protect crops from bird damage.
stem rust: a disease of wheat, infecting the stem. Managing stem rust ensures healthy wheat crops, preventing yield losses and maintaining quality.
swardsman: a farm worker who looks after or grows pasture. Properly managing and training swardsmen ensures healthy pasture growth and livestock productivity, supporting sustainable farming practices.
SCF: 1. Scottish Crofting Foundation 2. Separate concentrate feeding. Farmers benefit from SCF by receiving support and resources for sustainable farming practices.
self-seeded: Referring to a plant that grows from seed that has fallen to the ground naturally rather than being sown intentionally. Several self-seeded poppies have come up in the vegetable garden. Farmers benefit from managing self-seeded plants for natural regeneration and biodiversity.
sty: a structure for housing pigs, usually with a small run next to it. Also called pigsty. Properly managing sties ensures pig health and productivity, supporting efficient livestock operations.
square ploughing: a method of ploughing suitable for large areas. A piece of land is ploughed in the centre of a field and then the field is ploughed in a clockwise direction starting from this central point. Using square ploughing techniques ensures efficient soil preparation and promotes healthy crop growth.
sex organs: Organs which are associated with reproduction and sexual intercourse. Farmers benefit from understanding sex organs for effective breeding and livestock management.