5.5-5.8 APHuG

Green Revolution

The development of higher-yield and fast-growing crops through increased technology, pesticides, and fertilizers transferred from the developed to developing world to alleviate the problem of food supply in those regions of the globe.

Dr. Norman Bourlaug

The Father Of The Green Revolution; Developed disease resistant, high-yield wheat that helped increase food production and reduce hunger worldwide

Crossbreeding

The intentional mating of two different breeds or varieties of the same species of plants or animals to produce offspring with desirable traits from both parents

Hybrids

Created by cross breeding different species of plants to combine the best traits

Chemical Fertilizers

Nitrogen and Phosphate

Pesticides

A substance used for destroying insects or other organism that are harmful to cultivated plants or animals

Herbicides

A substance used for destroying unwanted vegetation

Monoculture

The practice of growing one type of crop on a large scale over a wide area. This method is commonly used to maximize efficiency and yields, but it can lead to soil degradation, and reduced biodiversity.

Biodiversity

Refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms

Agribusiness

Large-scale, industrialized, and corporate-controlled food production system. It includes farming, processing, distribution, and marketing of agricultural products

Subsistence Agriculture

Agricultural production that occurs with the internet to provide for the farmer’s family or local community

Commercial Agriculture

Agriculture production that occurs with the intent to sell the product for profit

Bid Rent Theory

Geographical economic theory that refers to how the price and demand on real estate changes as the distance towards the Central Business District (CBD) increases.

Monocropping

The practice of cultivating one single crop year after year (Farmers do not change the species of the crop or type of crop between growing seasons)

Commodity Chain

All of the different activities and processes that go into producing a product (Production. Distribution, and sale of the product)

• EX: Seed Supply Company → Farmer → Grain Elevator→ Grain Processor →Grain Distributor→Grain Retailer→ End Consumer

Economies of Scale

As a company grows it is able to reduce the average cost to produce its product (As companies get larger they have access to more capital, which allows them to scale up a product)

• As companies get larger they can purchase better machines, systems, and have access to more capital are able to scale up and produce more food for cheaper rates

Von Thunen Model

Predicts humans will use land in relation to the cost of land and the cost of transporting products to market.

The Market

Center of Von Thünen Model

• Where products are sold

Dairy Farming and Horticulture

First Ring of Von Thünen Model

• Next to market because goods are perishable

• Had to get to market quickly (lack of modern technology to preserve them)

The Forest

Second Ring of Von Thünen Model

• Lumber was used in homes, heat homes, and cook foods

  • Not seen in modern day

• Heavy and Bulky

• Closer to the market means lumber can be delivered to the market sooner and for cheaper

Grain and Field Crops

Third Ring of Von Thünen Model

• Extensive Agriculture

• Cheaper to transport to lightweight

• Longer “shelf-life”

Ranching and Livestock

Fourth Ring of Von Thünen Model

• Requires a lot of land for animals to graze

• Despite being perishable and heavy weight, there are offsets to transportation

  • Cheaper land, more money for transport

  • Livestock can walk to market (slaughterhouse or market)

The Wilderness

Technically not a ring of the Von Thünen Model

• No commercial agriculture

• Too far from the market to generate profit

Shifts in the Von Thünen Model

• Forest is no longer second ring

  • Replaced with other crop production

  • Shifts in needs of society

• Shifts in productions of livestock

  • Cafos, Industrial Farms, Agribuisness

  • Animals are in feedlots, reducing amount of land needed

• Trade and Globalization

• Large Commodity and Global Supply Chains

• Shifts in diet, tradition, and cultural landscape