Von Thunen’s Model of Agricultural Land Use

• Be able to draw and explain his model by the end of the PPT :-)

• Discuss the flaws in the model

Intensive Commercial Ag• Large amounts of capital and/or

labor per unit of land

• High yields and market value per unit of land

• Relatively small fields

• High transport costs/perishability

• Fruits, vegetables & dairy products

Extensive Commercial Ag• Cheaper land = larger land

units

• Inputs (capital and labor) per unit of land are low

• Low perishability

• Wheat farms, cattle ranching

Questions to considerfor Von Thunen’s Model

• Value of land• Distance from market• Cost of transportation• Intensive or Extensive

• Remember, the bottom line is what crop will make the farmer a profit at a given location

Problems with the model?

Directions for Image Analysis

• Determine if the agricultural activity is intensive or extensive

• Draw a simple version of von Thunen’s model and located the activity on it.

• Be prepared to defend your responses!

Extensive or Intensive?Where would Von Thunen locate this ag. activity?

1

Extensive or Intensive?Where would Von Thunen locate this ag activity?

2

Extensive or Intensive?Where would Von Thunen locate this ag.

Activity?

3

Extensive or Intensive?Where would Von Thunen locate this ag.

Activity?

4

Extensive or Intensive?Where would Von Thunen locate this ag.

Activity?

5

Extensive or Intensive?Where would Von Thunen locate this ag.

Activity?

6

Summary

• Basic premises of the model • Flaws of the model