Untitled Flashcards Set

Shifting Cultivation

A farming practice where farmers clear land by slashing vegetation and burning debris, growing crops for a few years before leaving it fallow.

Pastoral Nomadism

A form of subsistence agriculture involving the herding of domesticated animals, reliant on animals rather than crops.

Intensive Subsistence Agriculture

Farming practice where farmers expend large effort to maximize yield from a small parcel of land.

Plantation Agriculture

Large farms specializing in one or two crops, located in tropical and subtropical regions.

Mixed Crop & Livestock

Farming system where integration of crops and livestock occurs, with crops primarily fed to animals.

Dairy Farming

Production of milk and other dairy products, significant in commercially important agricultural areas near large urban centers.

Grain Farming

Farming primarily devoted to producing grains such as wheat, corn, and oats, sold mainly for human consumption.

Livestock Farming

Commercial grazing of livestock over extensive areas, often in arid or semi-arid regions.

Mediterranean Agriculture

Farming practiced in Mediterranean climates, focusing on horticulture such as fruits and vegetables.

Commercial Gardening & Fruit Farming

Farming focused on producing fruits and vegetables for sale, characteristic of the U.S. Southeast.

Clustered Rural Settlements

Agricultural communities where families live in close proximity, with fields surrounding their homes.

Dispersed Rural Settlements

Farming system where individual farms are isolated from each other, typical in North America.

Linear Rural Settlements

Settlements developed along a road or river, facilitating communication among residents.

Metes and Bounds

Land surveying system relying on descriptions of natural features to denote property boundaries.

Township and Range

Rectangular land division system designed to evenly distribute settlers across farmland.

Long Lot

Land surveying system characterized by narrow parcels extending back from rivers or roads.

First Agricultural Revolution

The transition from hunting and gathering to the domestication of plants and animals.

Second Agricultural Revolution

Increase in agricultural output in Britain due to new practices like crop rotation and selective breeding.

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of plants, animals, and culture between the Americas and the Old World during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Third Agricultural Revolution

Set of initiatives that increased food production worldwide through technology transfers in agriculture.

Fourth Agricultural Revolution

Trends in digital agriculture focusing on sustainability and organic farming.

Bid Rent Theory

Economic theory explaining how real estate prices change with distance from the central business district.

Agricultural Biotechnology

Use of scientific tools to modify living organisms in agriculture, enhancing yield and resistance.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

Organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

Aquaculture

The farming of aquatic organisms under controlled conditions.

Urban Agriculture

Cultivation of food in urban areas for local consumption.

Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA)

System allowing consumers to subscribe to the harvest of a specific farm.

Organic Farming

Farming practices that avoid synthetic chemicals and focus on natural processes.

Value-Added Products

Products that have been processed in a way to enhance their market value.

Fair Trade

Business practices aimed at promoting equitable trade relationships and better incomes for small-scale producers.

Local Food Movements

Initiatives aimed at connecting local producers with consumers to strengthen local economies.

Food Insecurity

The state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

Malnutrition

Lack of proper nutrition due to unavailability or inability to use food.

Food Desert

Area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

Agribusiness

Commercial agricultural operations integrating various steps in food processing and distribution.

Commodity Chain

Process connecting production and consumption of agricultural goods across multiple stages.

Industrial Agriculture

Large-scale production methods that include modern technology, genetic modifications, and economies of scale.

Von Thunen’s Model

Theory explaining rural land use based on transportation costs and market distance.

Isolation Assumption

In Von Thunen's model, the idea that there is one isolated market without external trade.

Environmental Effects of Agriculture

Impact of agricultural practices on pollution, land cover, desertification, and soil salinization.

Societal Effects of Agriculture

Changes in diets, economic roles, and health outcomes related to agricultural practices.

Technological Innovations in Agriculture

Advancements like mechanization and genetic modification that improve agricultural efficiency.

Complex Commodity Chains

Interconnected networks of various production, distribution, and consumption aspects in agriculture.

Transportation Costs

Expenses involved in moving agricultural products from production sites to markets.

Higher Yield Farming

Practices focused on increasing the amount of produce harvested from a given area.

Soil Salinization

The process of increasing soil salinity, which can negatively affect plant growth.

Desertification

Land degeneration caused by human actions leading to the formation of desert-like conditions.

Agricultural Practices

Methods employed in the cultivation of crops and livestock, affecting land use and rural landscapes.

Empowerment of Women in Agriculture

Enhancing women's roles in farming to improve nutritional and economic outcomes for families.

Food Processing Facilities Location

Sites where agricultural products are transformed into consumable goods, influencing distribution networks.

Adverse Weather Impact on Agriculture

Negative effects of climate variability on crop production and food security.

Suburbanization Effects on Land Use

The expansion of urban areas into rural lands affecting agricultural production capacity.

Food Supply Strategies

Methods used to increase agricultural output through land expansion and production methods.

Role of Women in Agricultural Workforce

Women's critical contributions to agriculture and their impact on household food security.

Economic Impact of Land Use Policies

Influence of government regulations on agricultural productivity and economic returns.