AP Human Geography Agriculture and Rural Land Use Unit Von Thünen’s Model AP Human Geography Agriculture and Rural Land Use Unit

For today, 04/07 Pick up a “Von Thünen’s Model of Agricultural Land Use” handout Vocab and Map Exam is tomorrow Unit Exam is Friday Mr. Clark’s home-slice, Johann Heiney

Major Underlying Assumptions: Von Thünen’s Model For maximum profitability, must consider: 1. Value of the yield 2. Transportation cost of the yield R = Y ( p – c ) – Y Fm For you math nerds: 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 Major Underlying Assumptions: 1.) uniform surface in each direction 2.) farmers sought to maximize profit and sell in one market

Von Thünen’s Model X = intensive, higher-value land, perishable goods, easy accessibility to market Y = extensive, lower-value land, fewer perishable goods, less accessibility to market Y X

Von Thünen and the United States

Von Thünen’s Model’s a little outdated: Refrigeration and food preservation Not all agricultural products are used for food Regional and global markets Increased transportation Decreased need for forests Government policies