Ch10_Agriculture (1)

Agriculture Notes

Metes and Bounds:
- Used primarily on the East Coast.
- Involves defining land parcels by a series of boundary lines marked by physical features or directions.
Township and Range:
- Used in the Midwest and parts of the West.
- Based on a grid system where every township is 6 miles square, divided into sections of 1 square mile.
Long Lots:
- Found in areas like Louisiana and along the Mississippi River.
- Characterized by narrow parcels of land that extend back from rivers, typically to allow access to water.

Metes-and-Bounds Survey Method:
- Uses natural landmarks (e.g., trees, streams) and compass directions to delineate properties.
Township and Range System:
- Designation includes T (township) followed by a number denoting its position north or south of a base line, and R (range) denoting its position east or west of a meridian.

Origins of Agriculture:
- Transition from hunting and gathering to systematic farming.
- Emergence represented a key development in human society.
Location of Agricultural Hearths:
- Two major types of crop origins: vegetative planting and seed agriculture.

Vegetative Planting Hearths:
- Locations include Southeast Asia as identified by Carl Sauer.
- Primarily involved root crops (e.g., yams, taro).
Seed Agriculture Hearths:
- Seed agriculture emerged in regions conducive to large scale farming.

Subsistence vs. Commercial Agriculture:
- Subsistence Agriculture: Focused on growing food for local consumption with minimal surplus.
- Commercial Agriculture: Aimed at selling produce for profit, often employing advanced machinery.

Labor Force Distribution (2005):
- Majority of workers in Less Developed Countries (LDCs) are engaged in agriculture.
- Much lower engagement in More Developed Countries (MDCs).

Use of Tractors:
- Extensive mechanization in MDCs; less prevalent in LDCs which rely more on manual labor.

Shifting Cultivation:
- Practiced in tropical regions; land is cleared and used for a short period before being abandoned.
Pastoral Nomadism:
- Involves herding animals and following them to available pastures.
Intensive Subsistence Agriculture:
- Wet rice dominant and other crops depending on regional climate.
Plantation Farming:
- Focuses on cash crops like coffee, tea, and chocolate.

Classification of Climates:
- Various climates affect which agricultural practices are viable.
- Differentiation between arid regions, humid low-latitude regions, etc.

Types of Farming:
- Mixed crops and livestock, dairy farming, grain farming, livestock ranching, Mediterranean agriculture, commercial gardening.

Challenges for Farmers:
- Commercial farmers face issues like overproduction and sustainable agriculture.
- Subsistence farmers deal with population growth and international trade impacts.

Achievements:
- Development of high-yield crop varieties has helped increase food production.
- However, this also creates challenges in sustainability and adaptation to climate change.

Global Food Production Trends:
- The U.S. as a major grain exporter; various regions struggling with food insecurity and undernourishment.

Agriculture remains a vital part of global economies and is influenced by a complex interplay of environmental, social, and economic factors. Farmers must adapt to changes in technology, climate, and consumer demand to sustain agricultural productivity for a growing population.

Agricultural Hearths Locations

Vegetative Planting Hearths:
- Southeast Asia: Characterized by root crops such as yams and taro.
Seed Agriculture Hearths:
- Fertile Crescent: Located in the Middle East, this area is known for wheat and barley cultivation.
- East Asia: Notable for rice cultivation, particularly in China and India.
- Mesoamerica: Known for crops like maize, beans, and squash.
- Andean Region: Renowned for potatoes and quinoa cultivation.