2025 Unit 5 KBAR Flashcards
What is agribusiness?
The business of agricultural production and associated industries.
Agribusiness includes the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products.
What was the Enclosure movement?
The process of consolidating small landholdings into larger farms.
This movement took place in England and significantly changed land use and farming practices.
Define nomadic herding (pastoralism).
A form of subsistence agriculture involving the herding of animals.
It is characterized by the movement of livestock to find fresh pastures.
What is aquaculture?
The cultivation of aquatic organisms in controlled environments.
This includes fish farming and the cultivation of shellfish and seaweed.
What is extensive farming?
A farming practice that uses large areas of land with low input of labor and capital.
It is often associated with livestock grazing and is less intensive than intensive farming.
Define organic farming.
A method of farming that avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Organic farming focuses on natural processes and sustainability.
What does bid rent theory explain?
The relationship between land value and distance from a central market.
It suggests that land users compete for the most accessible locations.
What is fair trade?
A trading partnership that aims for equitable trading conditions.
It focuses on promoting sustainability and fair wages for producers.
What is paddy rice farming?
A method of growing rice in flooded fields.
It is commonly practiced in Asian countries with suitable climates.
Define biodiversity.
The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem resilience and sustainability.
What is the Fertile Crescent?
A region in the Middle East known for its rich soils and early agriculture.
It is often considered one of the cradles of civilization.
What is a pesticide?
A chemical used to kill pests that threaten crops.
Pesticides can have environmental and health impacts.
Define biotechnology.
The use of living organisms or biological systems to develop products.
It is often applied in agriculture to enhance crop yields and resistance.
What is a food desert?
An area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food.
Food deserts often affect low-income populations and contribute to health disparities.
What is plantation agriculture?
A type of commercial farming that specializes in the production of cash crops.
It typically involves large estates and labor-intensive practices.
Define cash crop.
A crop produced for commercial value rather than for use by the grower.
Examples include cotton, tobacco, and coffee.
What is food insecurity?
The state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
Food insecurity can lead to malnutrition and health issues.
What are proprietary seeds?
Seeds that are owned by a company and protected by intellectual property laws.
Farmers must pay to use these seeds, which can impact agricultural practices.
Define cereal grains.
Grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain.
Common examples include wheat, rice, and corn.
What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?
An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering.
GMOs are often used in agriculture to enhance traits like pest resistance.
What is runoff?
Water that flows over land and carries away soil and pollutants.
Runoff can lead to water pollution and soil erosion.
Define clustered settlement pattern.
A type of settlement where buildings are grouped closely together.
This pattern is often found in rural areas for agricultural purposes.
What is a global supply chain?
The network of organizations, people, activities, information, and resources involved in delivering a product to the consumer.
It highlights the interconnectedness of global trade.
What is a seed drill?
A device that sows seeds at the correct depth and spacing.
It was a key innovation in agriculture during the Second Agricultural Revolution.
What was the Columbian Exchange?
The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World.
This exchange had significant impacts on agriculture and diets worldwide.
Define grain farming.
The cultivation of cereal grains for food and other uses.
It is a major agricultural practice in many regions.
What is shifting cultivation?
A form of subsistence agriculture where land is cleared, cultivated for a few years, and then abandoned.
It is often practiced in tropical regions.
What is commercial agriculture?
Agriculture that is undertaken primarily for sale rather than for personal consumption.
It is characterized by large-scale production and often involves mechanization.
What was the Green Revolution?
A period of agricultural transformation that increased food production worldwide through new technologies.
It included the development of high-yield crop varieties and chemical fertilizers.
What is slash and burn agriculture?
An agricultural practice that involves cutting and burning plants to create fields.
This method is often used in shifting cultivation systems.
Define commodity.
A basic good used in commerce that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type.
Examples include agricultural products like coffee and sugar.
What is an herbicide?
A chemical used to kill unwanted plants, especially weeds.
Herbicides are commonly used in modern agriculture to enhance crop yields.
What is soil salinization?
The accumulation of soluble salts in soil, often resulting from irrigation practices.
It can lead to reduced agricultural productivity.
Define commodity chain.
The series of steps involved in the production and distribution of a commodity.
Understanding the commodity chain helps analyze economic activities in agriculture.
What are high-yield seeds?
Seeds developed to produce more yield per plant than traditional seeds.
They were a key component of the Green Revolution.
What is sorghum?
A drought-resistant cereal grain often used as animal feed and in food products.
Sorghum is a staple in many arid regions.
What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
A farming model where consumers buy shares of a farm’s harvest in advance.
This model supports local farms and promotes community engagement.
Define intensive farming.
A farming practice that uses a high input of labor and capital to maximize productivity.
It is often associated with small land areas and high yields.
What are subsidies?
Financial assistance provided by the government to support agricultural production.
Subsidies can help stabilize farm income and encourage production.
What is a cool chain?
A temperature-controlled supply chain for perishable goods.
It is crucial for maintaining the quality of food products during transportation.
Define linear settlement pattern.
A settlement pattern where buildings are arranged in a line, often along a road or river.
This pattern is common in areas with specific geographical features.
What is the township and range survey system?
A land surveying system used in the United States to divide land into townships and ranges.
It facilitates the organization of land for agriculture and settlement.
What is the division of labor?
The assignment of different tasks to different people or groups in agriculture.
It enhances efficiency and productivity in farming operations.
What is a mechanical reaper?
A machine that cuts and gathers crops at harvest time.
The mechanical reaper revolutionized agricultural productivity in the 19th century.
What is a truck farm?
A farm that grows vegetables and fruits for sale in nearby markets.
Truck farms often focus on fresh produce for local consumption.
What is urban farming?
The practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in urban areas.
Urban farming can enhance food security and community engagement.
What is the domestication of animals?
The process of adapting wild animals for human use.
This includes breeding for traits beneficial to humans, such as milk production.
What is the domestication of plants?
The process of cultivating wild plants for human use.
This involves selective breeding to enhance desirable traits.
Define mixed crop-livestock agriculture.
An agricultural system that combines the cultivation of crops with the raising of livestock.
This practice can enhance soil fertility and farm sustainability.
What is value-added specialty crop?
Crops that have been processed or enhanced to increase their market value.
Examples include organic produce or products like jams and sauces.
What is double cropping?
The practice of growing two crops in the same field during a single growing season.
It maximizes land use and can increase overall yield.
Define monocropping.
The agricultural practice of growing a single crop over a wide area.
Monocropping can lead to soil depletion and increased pest problems.
Who is Von Thünen?
A German economist known for his model explaining agricultural land use patterns.
The Von Thünen model emphasizes the importance of transportation costs.
