1. Explain how agricultural practices are influenced by the physical environment and

climatic conditions, such as the Mediterranean climate and tropical climate.

Climate is a major factor for what can be grown in a place. For example, a

Mediterranean climate, which has mild winters and dry summers, is conducive for growing

lots of crops, such as grapes, olives, nuts, and citrus fruits. Tropical climates are very

warm/hot-conducive for cash crops like coffee, bananas, and cocoa.

2. Which types of agriculture are found in arid/semiarid climates?

Pastoral nomadism, ranching, grain farming

3. Which types of agriculture are found in tropical climates?

Plantation, shifting cultivation, intensive subsistence wet rice dominant

4. Discuss what makes the Mediterranean climate conducive for farming.

Has mild winters and dry summers, is conducive for growing lots of crops, such as grapes,

olives, nuts, and citrus fruits

5. What is the difference between extensive and intensive farming?

Extensive farming requires a lot of land and is not very labor intensive, while intensive

farming requires more labor/machinery and usually requires less land

6. Explain why extensive farming practices include shifting cultivation, nomadic herding, and

ranching.

They all take up a lot of land and not that labor-intensive.

7. Explain why each of the following practices is considered intensive farming:

1. Market gardening: a lot of work is needed
2. Plantation agriculture: lot of laborers needed to grow the cash crops
3. Mixed crop and livestock systems: lot of work to grow cops and tend to animals

Topic 5.2 Settlement Patterns and Survey Methods

8. Explain how specific agricultural practices shape different rural land-use patterns.

Plantation agriculture-land is cleared to grow crops, many laborers are needed

Grain farming-lot of open land to grow grain; more machinery, less workers

Livestock ranching-lot of open land to raise cattle or other livestock, less workers needed.

Dispersed rural patterns, like the ones in the US, allow for agricultural practices, such as

mixed crop and livestock, grain, and ranching to have plenty of space. Farms have become

larger over time due to economies of scale/technology.

Shifting Cultivation is found in clustered settlements, where the farmers may share the

Farmlands or where there are no private properties.

Links

9. Identify which rural settlement pattern (clustered, dispersed, or linear) is illustrated in

the each picture below, and explain how the picture shows the rural settlement pattern

identified.

9A. Dispersed-the farms are separated
9B. Linear-the farm plots are rectangular in shape and are along a river
9C. Clustered-the houses and farm lands are very close together

10. Identify which rural survey/boundary system (metes and bounds, long lot, or township and

range) is illustrated in each picture and explain how the picture

illustrates the land survey system.

10A. Township and Range-rectangular/grid-like farm plots

10B. Metes and Bounds-natural features and man-made markers are used

10C. Long Lot-linear farm lands along a river and road

Topic 5.3 Agricultural Origins and Diffusions

11. Identify two different species of plants/animals that originated in the following agricultural

hearths for the plant/animal listed below:

12. Explain how each of the following resulted in the global spread of various plants and

animals.

12a. 1st Agricultural Revolution (8000 BCE)

Cultivation of crops and domestication of animals for the first time in history. Crops

Will diffuse from their hearths and spread to other places.

12b. Colombian Exchange (Late 1400s to 1500s)

Exchange of crops between the New World and Old World; diets improved which led

to a global population increase.

12c. 2nd Agricultural Revolution (Mid 1600s to late 1800s)

New technologies, which are discussed in #13 improved food production, so as more

Europeans moved to the US during the mid 1600s-late 1800s, the technologies

spread.

12d. Green Revolution/3rd Agricultural Revolution (1950 to late 1960s)

Green Revolution technologies introduced higher yielding crops to developing

countries, such as in Latin America and in Asia, which led to an increase in food

production.

Topic 5.4 The Second Agricultural Revolution

13. Explain the technological advances of the 2nd Agricultural Revolution, which increased

food production and led to better diets, longer life expectancies, and more people for

work in factories.

Better horse collars for oxen, the use of horse instead of oxen on farms, grain elevator,

McCormick reaper, iron/steel plough, new fertilizers, field drainage and irrigation systems,

storage systems

Topic 5.5 The Green Revolution

14. Define the Green Revolution.

The Green Revolution, which began in the 1950s, was a series of technological changes in

agriculture that increased food production.

15. Describe the technologies and practices that were associated with the Green

Revolution.

Hybrid seeds (seeds that were crossbred to be higher-yielding); artificial fertilizers,

pesticides, herbicides, irrigation systems, more machinery, such as tractors

16. Explain the positive effects of the Green Revolution.

Food production increased; commercial farming increased in developing regions; more

money for many farmers

17. Explain the following negative effects of the Green Revolution:

16a.Economic: Because the technologies were expensive, many farmers went into debt;

Sub Saharan African countries could not afford the technologies when the Green

Revolution began; Some countries in Sub Sahara Africa are now investing in Green

Revolution technologies.

16b.Environmental: Soil erosion, reduced genetic diversity, soil erosion, reduced soil

fertility, soil contamination (due to artificial fertilizers and pesticides)

Topic 5.6 Agricultural Regions

18. What is the difference between subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture?

Subsistence farmers grow food to feed their families, while commercial farmers grow

food to make a profit and for other people to consume.

19. For each type of agriculture, identify if it is subsistence or commercial agriculture:

19a. Shifting Cultivation-Subsistence

19b. Pastoral Nomadism-Subsistence

19c. Paddy Rice Farming-Subsistence and Commercial

19d. Plantation-Plantation

19e. Mixed Crop and Livestock-Commercial

19f. Dairy Farming-Commercial

19g. Grain Farming-Commercial

19h. Livestock Ranching-Commercial

19i. Mediterranean Agriculture-Commercial

19j. Commercial Gardening and Fruit Farming-Commercial

20. Why are more farmers switching to monocropping over monoculture?

21. Explain how intensive and extensive farming practices are determined in part by land

costs as explained in the bid-rent theory.

The Bid-Rent Theory says that land is more expensive in the city/closer to the city,

while land becomes less expensive the further it is from the city. Since extensive

farming

practices, such as grain farming and ranching take up more land compared to intensive

farming practices

(such as commercial gardening and fruit farming), they are located further away from

the city/market.

Topic 5.7 Spatial Organization of Agriculture

22. Explain why large-scale agricultural operations are replacing small family farms.

Large-scale operations have more technologies/economies of scale that allow them to

produce more food, many of the large-scale operations also have contracts with

agribusinesses, such as Purdue and Smithfield, where they provide the companies with

what they grow/produce, which is then processed by the agribusinesses.

23. Explain how complex commodity chains link production and consumption of agricultural

products.

Farmer produces crops/raises animals—agricultural product is then

processed—---processed

product is then transported to a retail store–then sold to consumer

24. Explain how technology has increased economies of scale in the agricultural sector and

the carrying capacity of the land.

Technologies, such as higher-yielding seeds, GMO seeds, tractors, combines, feedlots

have increased agricultural production.

Topic 5.8 The Von Thunen Model

26. Explain how the Von Thunen model helps to explain rural land use by emphasizing the

importance of transportation costs associated with distance from the market.

The Von Thunen Model explains how transportation costs are a major factor in where

various farming practices are located. Transportation costs increase the heavier a

product is. For example, grains (extensive agriculture) are lighter to transport than

fresh fruits/vegetables (intensive agriculture), so grain fields will be located further

away than fresh fruits/vegetables.

27. Explain why regions of specialty farming do not always conform to Von Thunen’s

concentric rings.

Specialty farming cannot be found anywhere; specialty farming is located in certain places

due to the climate. For example, Florida specializes in the production of oranges, and

California specializes in the production of avocados.

28. Explain why some people believe the Von Thunen Model no longer is relevant.

He did not include global markets nor specialty farming in his model, and transportation

improvements have allowed market gardening and dairy farming to be further away

29. Explain why some people believe the Von Thunen Model still works.

Intensive farming is closer to the city compared to extensive farming

Topic 5.9 The Global System of Agriculture

30. Explain how food and other agricultural products are part of a global supply food chain.

A food may be grown in a country, processed in another country, exported to another

country, where it is sold to a retailer and then sold to the consumer.

31. Explain how some countries have become highly dependent on or more export

commodities.

Some countries (such as in tropical climates ) may focus on a cash crop, such as coffee or

cocoa, while many developed countries with temperate climates (such as the US and

European countries) export many crops, such as grains and fruits/vegetables.

32. Explain how global food distribution networks are affected by:

32a. Political relationships:

Countries that are on good political terms and are also part of the same

supranationalist organization, such as NAFTA and the European Union, will trade

with each other.

32b. Infrastructure:

Global food distribution networks are facilitated by strong transportation

transportation systems, such as ports, railways, roads/interstates, airports

32c. Patterns of world trade:

Trade of agricultural products is done on a global scale. Supranational

organizations, such as NAFTA and the European Union, help promote world trade.

Countries import a lot of food from other countries during the winter. For example,

the US imports many fruits and vegetables from Latin America during the winter

months.

Topic 5.10 Consequences of Agricultural Practices

33. Explain the factors that have contributed to the following environmental effects of

agricultural land use:

a. Pollution: Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have contributed to air and water

pollution

b. Land cover change: Urbanization has led farmlands being destroyed. Shifting cultivation

has also damaged farmlands (constant clearing and burning of

vegetation)

c. Desertification: Overfarming and overgrazing have led to desertification

d. Soil salinization: Salinity from irrigation can occur over time wherever irrigation occurs,

since almost all water (even natural rainfall) contains some dissolved salts. When the

plants use the water, the salts are left behind in the soil and eventually begin to

accumulate.

e. Conservation efforts: Conservation efforts preserves farmland and helps to limit adverse

environmental harm to the lands; farming techniques such as no tillage help promote soil

fertility

34. Explain how the following agricultural practices alter the landscape:

a. Slash and burn farming-vegetation/trees are cut down and the land is cleared

b. Terrace farming-steps known as terraces are built onto the slopes of hills and mountains

c. Irrigation-land may be cleared to built irrigation systems

d. Deforestation-trees are cut down and land is cleared

e. Draining wetlands-wetlands are being drained for agricultural purposes, so there is less

water sources in the area

f. Shifting cultivation-same as slash and burn farming; with farmers shifting to another

location after a couple of years, more land is being cleared

g. Pastoral nomadism-overgrazing and over-herding of animals can lead to the land becoming

dryer and could lead to desertification in same areas

35. Explain how agricultural practices have led to the following societal effects:

a. Changing diets-People have more access to foods/crops that may not be grown in their

areas or now can due to the increase use of hybrid seeds and GMO seeds

b. Role of women in agricultural production-More women in developing countries are working

as subsistence farmers. More women are employed in agriculture processing facilities

(factories) and employed in agribusinesses

c. Economic purpose-More farmers are switching to commercial farming due to increased

technologies

Topic 5.11 Challenges of Contemporary Agriculture

36. Explain how agricultural innovations such as biotechnology, genetically modified

organisms, and aquaculture have been accompanied by debates over

a. Sustainability: There is a debate if GMOS are sustainable since they are genetically

modified crops that have been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides

b. Soil and water usage: Mechanical weeding of GMO crops can lead to soil erosion; some

people fear too much water is being used for aquaculture

c. Reductions in biodiversity: use of GMOs reduce biodiversity if the same GMO

seeds/crops are being used

d. Extensive fertilizer and pesticide use: chemicals pollute the soil

37. Explain how patterns of food production and consumption are influenced by movements

relating to individual food choice, such as the following:

a. Urban farming:-growing or producing food in a city or heavily populated town or

municipality. It is a way to combat food deserts

b. Community-supported agriculture (CSA): consists of a community of individuals who

pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or

spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual

support and sharing the risks and benefits of food

c. Organic farming: organic farming has become more popular due to more people wanting

to eat organic foods (no GMOs, no pesticides or herbicides)

d. Value-added specialty crops: high demand for these crops (such as strawberries to make

jam); they are also profitable for farmers since processing the crops is adding

value to them.

e. Fair trade: Many consumers want to buy fair trade products since they give the farmers

a fair price for their crops; fair trade products have also been grown in a more

sustainable way and they do not use child labor.

f. Local-food movements: Many consumers want to buy agricultural products from local

farmers to help support the local economy. Supporting local farmers is also more

sustainable for the environment because less transportation/less fossil fuels used when

buying local than buying produce from across the country or from another country.

g. Dietary shifts: Consumers are now eating less meats, less processed-foods, more

plant-based diets, more organic foods

38. Explain the following challenges of feeding a global population:

1. Lack of food access, as in cases of food insecurity and food deserts:

Many people in developing countries are facing food security issues due to poverty,

growing or large populations, droughts, civil wars.

Food deserts occur in places that do not have grocery stores with fresh produce/meats in close proximity to its residents. It is a major problem in urban areas in the US.

1. Problems with distribution systems:

Distribution systems

Distributors transport the goods to wholesalers/retailers who then sell to the consumer, so if distribution systems are not strong, then access to foods will decrease

1. Adverse weather:

Droughts/floods/ice can cause serious damage to crops, which could reduce the food supply in an area.

1. Land use lost to suburbanization:

As suburban areas grow, agricultural lands are destroyed.

39. Explain how the following have had economic effects on food-production practices:

a. The location of food-processing facilities and markets:

Food processing plants are going to be located closer to the markets to minimize

transportation costs.

b. Economies of scale:

Economies of scale allows farmers to increase their agricultural production and save

money

c. Distribution systems:

d. Government policies all have economic effects on food-production practices:

Governments regulate the food production industry/health inspections--Ex: USDA (US

Department of Agriculture Approved); governments can support farmers through

Subsidies (which are monetary payments)

Topic 5.12 Women in Agriculture

40. What type of countries (developed or developing) have a higher percentage of women working

in agriculture.

Developing countries