Von Thunen’s model

Unit 6: QUIZ 1 Directions: Number your paper 1-5. Leave space in-between to allow room for your answers. You do not need to copy the question. What geographer is known for his studies focusing on the location of agricultural hearths of the First Agricultural Revolution? Recalling the presentation from yesterday, what is the most popular type of cow used for dairy farming in the U.S.? How many gallons of milk does she produce a day? Recalling the presentation from yesterday, what type of cow was Weezer? How many gallons of milk does her breed produce a day? Briefly outline the revolutions and it’s significance to agriculture and/or society. Identify one positive and one negative of the Green Revolution.

Johann Heinrich von thunen The Von Thünen model of agricultural land use was created by farmer and amateur economist J.H. Von Thünen of Germany. He believed farmers were ‘economic men.” His model was created before industrialization and is based on 6 limiting assumptions.

6 assumptions of model: There is only one market available, self-sufficient with no outside influence. All farmers are market oriented, producing goods for sale. The physical environment is uniform, there are no rivers or mountains. All points are at equal distances from market and have equal access to the market. All farmers act to maximize profits. The dietary preferences of the population are those of Germanic Europeans.

Main concepts of model Amount of Space Preservation of Food LAND USE: The main concept is land rent or land value, which will decrease as one gets farther away from central markets. Rent is highest in the closest proximity to urban market (bid rent theory) What does this mean for agriculture? Amount of Space Preservation of Food What does this mean? Agricultural products that have intensive land use, have high transportation costs and were in great demand would be located closest to the urban markets. Main concepts – land use, preservation of food, and amount of space

Think you got it? Apply it! Directions: Your group will locate each of the following in the ring that you think will maximize its efficiency. Explain your reasoning for each of your choices. Place each “product” where you think it would go and explain why. In no particular order, your products and locations are : Intensive agriculture Livestock Ranching City/CBD Forest Resources Grain Farming Dairy

There are four rings of agricultural activity surrounding the city. Ranching (livestock farming) is located in the final ring surrounding the central city. Animals can be raised far from the city because they are self-transporting. Animals can walk to the central city for sale or for butchering. The third zone consists of extensive fields crops such as grains for bread. Since grains last longer than dairy products and are much lighter than fuel, reducing transport costs, they can be located further from the city. Before industrialization (and coal power), wood (forest) was a very important fuel for heating and cooking. Wood is very heavy and difficult to transport so it is located as close to the city as possible. Dairying & intensive farming: Since vegetables, fruit, milk and other dairy products must get to market quickly, they would be produced close to the city. (remember, we don't have refrigerated oxcarts!) Last: Beyond the fourth ring lies the unoccupied wilderness, which is too great a distance from the central city for any type of agricultural product.

So… Dairying and gardening of fruits and vegetables would be closer to the urban market while.. Timber and firewood for fuel and building materials would be in the second zone. Mixed farming, commercial grain, and orchards and Extensive cattle ranching would be located further away. Transportation is cheap: the animals can walk to the city for butchering.

The Von Thünen Model

…applying von Thunen’s basic assumptions …von Thunen’s model with Variations in climate factored in--the north is colder than the South. …applying von Thunen’s basic assumptions

It’s all about cost & proximity R=Y(p-c)-YFm Von Thünen developed the basics of the theory of marginal productivity in a mathematically rigorous way, summarizing it in the formula in which: R=Y(p-c)-YFm where R=land rent; Y=yield per unit of land; c=production expenses per unit of commodity; p=market price per unit of commodity; F=freight rate (per agricultural unit, per mile); m=distance to market.

PRO’S AND CONS PROS CONS Assumes all land is uniform (quality) Doesn’t account for topographical features (hills, rivers, etc.) Cost changes with land or water transportation Doesn’t consider social customs or government policies and influences Organized typical land organization (what was being practiced) Perfect world only Developed for small regional focus w/single market center but is easily applicable at the national or global scale

AGRICULTURAL HEARTHS MAP ACTIVITY Identify the 6 primary hearths & the crops cultivated. AGRICULTURAL HEARTHS MAP ACTIVITY