Agricultural Geography Overview

Introduction

Farming in the Southeast is a cherished and honored profession. But how do we get food that is not grown locally and how do some areas survive with very little agricultural land? Rural land use varies from county to county, state to state and country to country. The most important factor is the climate and soil types. But what about the religion, educational level or technological skill of the people in that region? Each of these cultural and social dynamics greatly impacts the agricultural production in the area. For example, the Middle East does not have pig or hog farms, why not? First, there is climate to consider and secondly, the Islamic faith doesn't allow the consumption of pork. Why is there enough food produced in America to feed over 300 million people easily, but people in other regions are starving? The technological advancements of the region, farm equipment or genetically modified seeds for example, might not be available. Food is necessary to keep us alive, but we don't spend a great amount of time considering where it will come from.

Essential Questions

How did permanent farming settlements begin to form?
How does farming and rural land use differ within regions?
How does von Thunen's Agricultural Land Use Model explain rural land use?
What are the effects of the Green Revolution on global agriculture?
How has industrial farming grown and diffused?
What is the difference between the Green Revolution and the Green Movement?

Key Terms

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