Unit 6 - Land Use: Agriculture and Industry

Agriculture

the deliberate effort to modify a portion of Earth's surface through the cultivation of crops and the raising of livestock for sustenance or economic gain.

Crop Rotation

Changing crops in the same field to maintain soil health.

Mixed farming

Growing crops and raising animals together.

Manual labor

Using simple tools and human/animal power.

Use of chemicals

Fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides to boost yields.These substances enhance growth and protect crops from pests and diseases.

Organic farming

No synthetic chemicals; natural methods only.

Intensive farming

High input, high output (more resources used for more production).

Extensive farming

Low input, large land areas, often with lower yields.This method uses fewer resources per unit of area, relying on the natural fertility of the land.

Subsistence Agriculture

production of food mainly for consumption (eating) by the farmers' community

Commercial Agriculture

production of food mainly for the sale off the farm

factors on where products can be grown

Climate, Soil Quality, Water Availability, Altitude, Land Use and Space

factors on why Products Are Grown in Certain Places

Natural Suitability, Economic Factors, Cultural Preferences, Government Policies/Subsidies, Access to Markets

Climate

Temperature, rainfall, and sunlight affect what can grow.

Soil Quality

Different crops need different nutrients and soil types.

Water Availability

Some crops need more water than others.

Altitude

Higher or lower elevation affects temperature and growing seasons.

Natural Suitability

The area naturally supports the crop (climate, soil, etc.).

Economic Factors

It's profitable to grow certain crops there.

Cultural Preferences

People grow what they traditionally eat or use.

Government Policies/Subsidies

Some governments support growing specific crops for food security or trade.

Access to Markets

Farmers grow what they can sell easily, either locally or internationally.

Agricultural Practices

the methods and techniques used in farming to grow crops and raise animals.

Traditional Practices

Methods like crop rotation, mixed farming, and manual labor.

Modern/Industrial Practices

Methods like monoculture, use of chemicals, and mechanization.

Sustainable Practices

Methods like organic farming, no-till farming, and agroforestry.

Intensive farming

High input, high output (more resources used for more production).

Extensive farming

Low input, large land areas, often with lower yields.

Traditional Foods

Guidelines often include or promote foods commonly eaten in that culture.

Religious Beliefs

Some cultures avoid certain foods for religious reasons.

Cooking Styles and Habits

How food is prepared and served matters.

Health Traditions

Some cultures link food to natural medicine or balance.

Accessibility and Local Resources

Cultural diets are shaped by what is locally available.

When did the 1st Agricultural Revolution occur?

The 1st Agricultural Revolution occurred between 10,000 - 8,000 BCE.

When did the 2nd Agricultural Revolution occur?

The 2nd Agricultural Revolution occurred from 1750 to 1920.

When did the 3rd Agricultural Revolution occur?

The 3rd Agricultural Revolution occurred in the 1950s-1960s.

Dust Bowl

A severe environmental disaster during the 1930s that affected the Great Plains region of the United States, causing massive dust storms, crop destruction, and migration of over 2.5 million people.

Causes of the Dust Bowl

Severe Drought, Over-farming and Overgrazing, Lack of Crop Rotation, High Winds.

Effects of the Dust Bowl

Massive Dust Storms, Farmland Destroyed, Migration of over 2.5 million people, Health Problems like dust pneumonia, Economic Hardship deepening the Great Depression.

Changes Made After the Dust Bowl

Soil Conservation Programs, New Farming Techniques, Government Aid, Reforestation Projects.

Soil Conservation Programs

Created by the U.S. government in 1935 to address soil erosion and promote sustainable farming practices.

New Farming Techniques

Farmers were taught to use crop rotation, contour plowing, planting windbreaks, and no-till farming to protect the soil.

Government Aid

Programs under the New Deal provided financial support to struggling farmers affected by the Dust Bowl.

Reforestation Projects

Trees were planted to help stop wind erosion and hold soil in place after the Dust Bowl.

HDI Influencing Agricultural Production

Higher HDI in more developed countries leads to better education and healthcare, resulting in more productive farming.

Infrastructure Investment

More investment in infrastructure (like irrigation, roads, storage), which boosts efficiency.

Lower HDI

Less developed countries where agriculture often makes up a large portion of the economy and employment.

Agricultural Productivity

Strong agricultural productivity increases food security, which improves health (a key HDI component).

Low Agricultural Productivity

Leads to malnutrition and poor health, lowering life expectancy.

Cycle of Development

Agriculture and HDI can reinforce each other: Improved agriculture → better income/health → higher HDI → better education/infrastructure → improved agriculture again.

Sustainability

Using resources in such a way that they will continue to be available in the future.

Ethical Sourcing

The practice of making sure that the products a company buys or sells are obtained in a responsible and sustainable way.

Primary Sector

Directly extracts natural resources from the earth (Agriculture, Fishing, Forestry, Mining/drilling).

Secondary Sector

Transforms raw materials into finished goods and products (Manufacturing/factories, Construction).

Tertiary Sector

Provides services to consumers and businesses (Service industry, Health Care, Education, Technology).

Exports

Goods and services that are produced in one country and sold to buyers in another.

Imports

A good or service brought into a country from an outside country.

Tariffs

A tax on goods coming into a country or going out of a country.

Purpose of Tariffs

Governments use tariffs mainly to protect domestic industries by making imported goods more expensive.

How Tariffs Work

When a product crosses a border into a country, the government charges a tariff—usually a percentage of the product's value.

Effects of Tariffs

Higher prices for consumers because importers usually pass the cost on.

Protective Tariffs

Some tariffs charge a higher tax on imported goods so the domestically produced versions can be sold at a more competitive price.

Revenue Generation from Tariffs

Tariffs serve to generate revenue for the importing country.

Trade Wars

Risk of trade wars if countries retaliate with their own tariffs.

Income from Agriculture

Agriculture provides jobs and income, especially in rural areas, helping reduce poverty.

Malnutrition Effects

Low agricultural productivity limits income, keeping people from accessing quality education.

Climate Vulnerability

Farmers may lack access to modern tools, training, or capital, reducing yields and making them vulnerable to climate change.

Inequality and Rural Poverty

Low agricultural productivity can worsen inequality and rural poverty.

How does culture influence Dietary Guidelines?

Culture has a big influence on dietary guidelines because what people eat, how they eat, and what foods are considered healthy or acceptable often depend on cultural traditions, beliefs, and lifestyles.