Agricultural Practices and Economic Systems

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to agriculture and its economic systems, helping students prepare for their exam.

Primary economy

The economic sector that includes timber, fisheries, and mineral and energy resources.

Intensive agriculture

Agriculture that requires high labor input or is focused on a small plot of land.

Extensive agriculture

Agriculture that requires limited labor input or is spread across large areas.

Hunting and gathering societies

The earliest forms of agriculture, relying on wild resources.

Transhumance

Seasonal movement of groups to avoid harsh climates or follow animal herds.

Pastoralism

Agriculture based on the seasonal movement of animals.

Nomadic herding

The practice of driving herds from one grazing area to another in seasonal cycles.

Ranching

Grazing livestock in a single large area.

Subsistence agriculture

Agriculture that meets all material needs of a household.

Physiologic density

Number of people per unit of arable land.

Food preservation

Methods such as drying, pickling, and storage to ensure food survival.

Cash-cropping

Extensive agriculture where harvested crops are exchanged for currency.

Collectivization

The process of combining individual farms into collective units.

Human ecology

The study of interactions between humans and their environment.

Food chain

The order of predators and the process of food production.

Crop rotation

The practice of alternating crops on a plot of land across seasons.

Double cropping

Planting two crops one after another on a single plot in a year.

Irrigation

The application of water to land to assist in growing crops.

Aquifers

Underground water tables that provide irrigation.

Conservation agriculture

A sustainable farming system that preserves resources.

Inter-planting

Planting fast-growing crops with slow-growing ones to maximize yield.

Sustainable yield

Crops or animals that can be raised without endangering resources.

Slash and burn agriculture

Farming practice in rainforests involving clearing land for cultivation.

Extensive pastoralism

Moving animal herds between grazing pastures.

Desertification

The process of transforming fertile land into desert-like conditions.

Soil salination

The accumulation of mineral salts in soil due to evaporation.

First Agricultural Revolution

The transition from hunting and gathering to farming and settlement.

Seed agriculture

The practice of planting seeds from domesticated plants.

Horticulture

The cultivation of plants in specific conditions for food production.

The Columbian exchange

The exchange of New World crops with the rest of the world.

Second Agricultural Revolution

Technological changes in agriculture influenced by the Industrial Revolution.

Green Revolution

Period of increased agricultural production involving hybrids and fertilizers.

Third Agricultural Revolution

Internationalization of farming practices and industrial agriculture.

Corporate agriculture

Large-scale farming managed by multinational corporations.

Commodity chains

Links between producers and consumers in agriculture.

Von Thünen’s Model

A model explaining land use based on labor intensity.

Milkshed

The region around a city where fresh milk is delivered.

Women in agriculture

Women’s roles and challenges in agricultural production.

Fair trade movement

Focus on equitable pay for producers in the supply chain.

Aquaculture

The farming of fish and aquatic plants for food.

Community-supported agriculture (CSA)

A system where consumers receive farm products directly.

Plantation agriculture

Extensive crop production primarily for export.

Specialized agriculture

Farming focusing on high-value crops to maximize profits.

Organic farming

Farming without the use of genetically modified organisms or synthetic chemicals.

Non-GMO foods

Foods produced without genetically modified organisms.

Value-added agricultural products

Processed food products that increase farmers' income.

Cultural practices in agriculture

Impact of cultural beliefs and traditions on farming practices.

Dairying

The production of milk and milk products.