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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

6. Von Thünen and the United States

7. Von Thünen’s Model’s a little outdated: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