Unit 5 Agriculture vocab

Agriculture

the practice of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock for food, fiber, medicinal plants, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life

Neolithic Revolution (1st agricultural revolution)

the significant transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement

Second Agricultural Revolution

represents a period of technological advancements during the 18th and 19th centuries, resulting in increased agricultural productivity and efficiency.

Green Revolution (Third Agricultural Revolution)

a mid-20th-century transformation of agriculture characterized by the adoption of practices to increase food production

Domestication

process of taming and breeding wild plants and animals for human use and benefit, leading to their adaptation to human-controlled environments

Columbian Exchange

a widespread transfer of goods and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following Christopher Columbus's voyages

Terracing

creating step-like platforms on hilly or mountainous terrain to make it suitable for farming by reducing erosion and providing flat areas for cultivation

Irrigation

artificially supplying water to land or crops to aid in their growth and productivity, especially in areas with insufficient or irregular rainfall

Deforestation

the large-scale clearing of trees and forests, typically for agricultural expansion, urban development, or resource extraction.

Synthetic Pesticide

human-made chemical compound specially formulated to eliminate, repel, or control pests

Synthetic Herbicide

a man-made chemical substance created to kill or control unwanted plants (weeds)

Synthetic Fertilizer

Man made substances added to soil to enhance its fertility and provide essential nutrients to plants

shifting cultivation (slash and burn)

involves clearing land for cultivation by cutting down and burning vegetation

Mediterranean Agriculture

agricultural practices adapted to the Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters

Pastoral Nomadism

a form of subsistence agriculture involving herding and the constant movement of livestock in search of pasture and water

Subsistence Cultivation/Agriculture

a type of farming in which the primary focus is on producing enough food to meet the needs of the farmer and their family, with little surplus for trade or sale

Commercial Agriculture

involves the production of crops and livestock for sale and profit in the market rather than for personal consumption

Extensive Agriculture

a farming method that utilizes large land areas with lower input levels per unit of land

Truck Farming

a type of commercial agriculture located near cities or transportation hubs that focuses on producing fruits and vegetables for nearby urban markets

Agribusiness

encompasses the various businesses and industries involved in the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products

Commodity Chain

the full process of producing, processing, and distributing a particular product

Von Thunen Model

a theoretical framework that explains the spatial arrangement of agricultural activities based on transportation costs and market demand

Horticulture (Gardening)

the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants

Desertification

the process of fertile land turning into desert due to various factors like climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices

Biotechnology

using biological processes, organisms, or systems to develop products and applications

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

organisms whose genetic material has been artificially altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce specific traits

Organic Farming

an agricultural approach that emphasizes sustainable practices, avoiding synthetic or modified practices

Aquaculture

the farming of aquatic organisms, such as fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, under controlled conditions for food or other products.

Fair Trade

system that ensures fair prices, better working conditions, and support for local communities, particularly in developing countries

Local-Food Movements

encourage consumption of locally-produced food, often promoting sustainability associated with food transportation

Value added Specialty Crops

non-staple or unique crops, often grown for specific markets or culinary purposes

Economies of Scale

the cost advantages obtained when production increases, leading to a decrease in the average cost of production

Food Desert

an area, usually urban or rural, where access to affordable and nutritious food is limited or nonexistent

Aquifer

An underground layer of water-bearing rock or sediment that stores groundwater

Biodiversity

The variety and variability of life forms on Earth

High-Yield Hybrid Seeds

Crop seeds bred for increased productivity and yield compared to traditional seeds

Intertillage

A traditional agricultural practice involving the cultivation of multiple crops in close proximity, often promoting biodiversity and soil health

Mixed Crop/Livestock

Agricultural systems that combine crop production with the raising of livestock

Overgrazing

The excessive consumption of vegetation by livestock, leading to soil degradation and desertification

Plantation Agriculture

Large-scale commercial farming characterized by the cultivation of a single crop

Salinization

The accumulation of salt in soil, which can damage soil fertility and affect crop growth

Soil Degradation

The deterioration of soil quality due to factors like erosion, salinization, and contamination

Farm Subsidy

Financial support or incentives provided by the government to farmers

Subsistence agriculture

Agricultural practices aimed at producing enough food to meet the basic needs of a family or community

Tillage

The preparation of soil for planting through plowing, harrowing, and other cultivation techniques

Wetland Destruction

The draining or degradation of wetland ecosystems, often for agricultural or development purposes

Value-Added Specialty Crops

Agricultural products that have been processed or modified to increase their value, often through techniques such as canning or preservation.

intensive agriculture

a method of farming where a small plot of land is cultivated with a high level of input and labor, often to produce enough food for a single family or community.

Intercropping

practice of growing one crop among others of a different kind

Clustered settlements

are rural communities in which houses and buildings are grouped closely together, often around a central feature

Dispersed Settlements

homes and farms are spread far apart across the countryside, typical of owners of large plots of land

Linear Settlements

buildings and homes arranged in a long line, often along a road, river, canal, or valley

Long-Lot Survey system

system divides land into long, narrow parcels that extend back from a river, road, or canal, ensuring that each parcel has access to transportation and water

Metes and Bounds Survey System

describes land parcels using local physical features (like trees, rivers, rocks) along with compass directions and measured distances

TownShip and range Survey System

divides land into a grid of rectangular townships (6 miles by 6 miles) and further into 36 sections, each one-mile square

Bid-rent Theory

explains how the price and demand for land change as the distance from the central business district (CBD) increases

Crop Rotation

different crops are grown in succession on the same field to maintain soil fertility

Vertical Integration

occurs when a company controls multiple stages of production within the same industry

Agricultural Hearth

origin for technological advancements, culture, and innovations in technology

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

subscription model where consumers buy a share of a local farm's products and receive them regularly

Cash crops

an agricultural product grown for sale and profit

Monocropping

practice of growing a single crop year after year on the same land

tarrifs

Taxes on imported goods

Urban farming

The practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around a village, town, or city