Ch10_Agriculture (1)

Agriculture Notes

USA Rural Land Use

• 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.

Key Survey Methods

• 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.

Agricultural Origins and Regions

• 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.

Agricultural Hearths

• 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.

Classifying Agricultural Regions

• 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 in Agriculture

• Labor Force Distribution (2005):

  • Majority of workers in Less Developed Countries (LDCs) are engaged in agriculture.

  • Much lower engagement in More Developed Countries (MDCs).

Agricultural Mechanization

• Use of Tractors:

  • Extensive mechanization in MDCs; less prevalent in LDCs which rely more on manual labor.

Agricultural Practices in LDCs

• 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.

World Climate Regions and Agriculture

• Classification of Climates:

  • Various climates affect which agricultural practices are viable.

  • Differentiation between arid regions, humid low-latitude regions, etc.

Agriculture in Developed Countries

• Types of Farming:

  • Mixed crops and livestock, dairy farming, grain farming, livestock ranching, Mediterranean agriculture, commercial gardening.

Economic Issues in Agriculture

• Challenges for Farmers:

  • Commercial farmers face issues like overproduction and sustainable agriculture.

  • Subsistence farmers deal with population growth and international trade impacts.

Green Revolution

• Achievements:

  • Development of high-yield crop varieties has helped increase food production.

  • However, this also creates challenges in sustainability and adaptation to climate change.

Food Security**

• Global Food Production Trends:

  • The U.S. as a major grain exporter; various regions struggling with food insecurity and undernourishment.

Conclusion**

• 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.