Geography 417
Californias Agriculture and Soils
Objectives
Students will identify and
describe the major agricultural zones in
Students will explain how the
physical geography affects the agricultural potential of locations in
Students will identify and explain the cultural, political and economic factors that affect the pattern of agricultural production in the state.
Agriculture
The ability to grow specific plants is heavily dependent upon the climatological conditions of a region.
In
Economics also play a role in determining what is grown where.
Background
Effective agricultural practice is the taproot of civilization.
Without agricultural surplus, urbanization and industrialization is not possible.
Political and military power is often rooted in the ability to produce agricultural surpluses.
Primary industries form the basis of industrial production in the state.
Primary industries are an important source of employment for the state.
Primary industries are also an
important source of basic income for the state, important to the
economic health of
Top 5 Agricultural States
Top farming state for over 50 years.
USDA (US Department of Agriculture) has lesson plans, etc.
One of the top industries in the state
1 in 10 jobs is agriculturally related
$20+ billion annually
$4 billion worth of exports per year.
Accounts for 10% of US farm revenue
1/3 of CAs 100 million acres agricultural
Read the legend!
Our stuff is valuable!
Why
Prime valley flatlands
Fertile soils
Moderating effects of oceans
Lengthy growing season
Unique microclimates - sole producer
Abundant Irrigation
Soils
Only a note about soils, though they deserve more.
Are a product of the local rocks, weather and climate and erosion.
Quality soil is necessary for productive agriculture and since agriculture is the states biggest industry, soils are very important.
The Great Central Valley has rich alluvial soils.
The Klamath region has poor soils.
Desert areas may have good soils.
Generalized US Soil Map
US Soil Map 2
US Soil Map 2
CA Close Up
MORE COMPLEX, but
Ultisols-too much rain, not great for agriculture but OK for forestry
Alfisols- better for
agriculture, much of the Great Central Valley,
Entisols-can be great for agriculture and are common on the edges of the Great Central Valley, Mountains, etc.
Aridsols-desert soils, sometimes saline and useless, but
I. Agricultural Regions
Defined by the type of crops grown, the style of labor and the use of land.
Market Gardening
Commercial Grain/ Livestock Fattening
Dairy
Why is it there?
If you were a farmer and you had to make a decision on what crop to grow, what factors would weigh most heavily on your decision?
Will it _________ here?
Can I make _______ growing this crop?
USDA Agricultural Maps:
http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/Ag_Atlas_Maps/index.asp
Physical Geography
Clearly there are factors of physical geography that influence the possibilities:
Soil conditions
Rain amount
Length of growing season
Most of these factors have been covered already.
Economic and Cultural Geography
Whether you can make money planting one crop or another is end the end the driving force farmers decisions.
Is there a market for my crop?
Is it profitable?
Does the government subsidize this crop?
Does my location offer me a competitive advantage?
Terrain and Profit (fig)
What does one
need to know to apply this in
Von Thunens Model
Von Thunen offered a crude, but viable model that explains in part the pattern of agricultural production.
Certain crops may be grown more profitably close to the market (cities) than others.
What sorts of crops must be grown close to market?
What crops can be stored or transported cheaply?
Von Thunens Model (fig)
Von Thunen in Practice-Uruguay (map)
Market (Truck) Gardening
Fruit and vegetables
Dependent upon seasonal (immigrant) labor
>50% fruits, nuts and vegetables
Where in
What climatic and political factors should be considered?
Vegetable Harvest (fig)
Vegetable Harvest
Broccoli Harvest
Mediterranean Agriculture
Comes under the heading of specialty agriculture in Calfornia.
Is somewhat outside of the considerations of the Von Thunen model because it requires a special climate.
What are some of the typical Mediterranean crops?
What are the climatic conditions and restraints?
Mediterranean
Commercial Grain Farming
Where is the corn belt; wheat
belt; rice belt in the
Are there international competitors?
Where in
Wheat Production
Wheat Harvesting-(fig)
Rice Production
Corn Production
Cotton Production
Pima Cotton!
Grapes
Grapes are grown in
They include?
Where are each grown?
A few counties are internationally famous for they use specific types of grapes which counties?
Grapes
Developed in
Ripen in the Summer, but you can leave them on longer.
Navels (eaters)
Fruitless, from
All are clones of the original, which was a mutant.
Livestock Ranching
Per acre profit?
Frequent conducted on what type of land?
Where in
Commercial Livestock Fattening
Hogs and Cattle brought in for fattening
In areas of the Great Plains
of the
Much of the corn and soybeans
grown in the
Is this efficient?
Where in
Feedlot-Colorado (fig)
Beef Cows
Pigs and Hogs
Commercial Dairying
Upstate
#1 agricultural industry in state.
Why so big in
Butter, Cheese or Milk?
Also employs the feedlot system
Where in
Milk Cows
Why this pattern?
Hay Farming (fig)
More Statistics
25% of agricultural production exported.
Pacific Rim (55%), Canada (18%), Europe (9%), Mexico (5%).
25% of agricultural production goes to other states.
66% of fruits exported
80% of canned fruits/vegetables for export.
California produces more than 90% of worlds almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, kiwi, olives, raisins, and walnuts.
Top 15 Farm Products by Value
Milk
and Cream
Grapes
Nursery Products
Cattle and Calves (+)
Cotton (-)
Lettuce (+)
Almonds (-)
Hay (+)
Tomatoes, processing (+)
Flowers & Foliage (+)
Strawberries (+)
Oranges (8)
Chickens
Rice
Whats missing? Why?
Leading Counties by $ Value
Fresno 5,345,352 Grapes, Almonds, Milk, Poultry, Tomatoes
Tulare 4,873,743 Milk, Oranges, Cattle and Calves, Grapes,
Kern 4,092,107 Milk, Grapes, Citrus, Almonds, Carrots
Monterey 3,823,287 Lettuce, Strawberries, Nursery, Broccoli,
Merced 3,001,667 Milk, Chickens, Almonds, Cattle and Calves,
Stanislaus 2,412,339 Milk, Almonds, Chickens, Cattle and Calves, Walnuts
San Joaquin 2,005,185 Milk, Grapes, Cherries, Almonds, Walnuts
Kings 1,761,852 Milk, Cotton, Cattle and Calves, Alfalfa, Pistachios
Ventura 1,547,263 Strawberries, Nursery Stock, Lemons, Celery, Tomatoes
San Diego 1,536,260 Foliage Plants, Trees and Shrubs, Bedding Plants, Avocados, Tomatoes
Local:
Ventura - Lemons, Celery, Avocados, Strawberries
San Bernardino - Dairy, Beef, Alfalfa, Eggs
Santa Barbara- Strawberries, Nursery, Broccoli
LA Nursery Products
Orange - Nursery, Strawberries
So Cal Ag (fig)
Migrant Workers
Reason for CA high productivity
2/3 of agricultural workforce
Labor force migrates w/seasons
65-70% born in Mexico, other Latin Amer. countries
Political/economic crises
Top countries - Mexico, Dominican Republic, El Salvador
Many undocumented
Anti-immigrant sentiment
A different type of Agriculture
Forestry
Where are the forests?
How important is forestry to the California economy?
Which trees are most valuable?
Environmental issues?
How much old growth is left?
What are sustainable harvests?
How important is forestry to the
Since 1987, 60 sawmills,
plywood plants, veneer plants, pulp mills and board plants have closed in
They are the leading employer
in many
Sawmill (fig)
Which trees are most valuable?
Douglas Fir provides the largest number of logs, but Ponderosa Pine and Coast Redwood provide the highest dollar values because of their exceptional quality.
Environmental Issues
How much old growth is left?
Less than 10% of the original old-growth forest is left and much less than that of old growth redwood.
What are sustainable harvests?
Most of
Today environmentalists and forests scientists still cant decide whether trees should be harvested every 30, 40, or 50 years. Also, most argue that clear cutting must stop.
VERY complex.
Clear Cutting (fig)