U.S. and Minnesota Agricultural Patterns
AP Human Geography - March 2017
Take a moment to studythis graphic. What is the
main idea?
What is happening to the number of farmsin the U.S.? Regions most impacted?
U.S. Crop GeographyLocation Factors To Consider
• Physical geography: climate, soils, etc.• Population clusters: Megalopolis, Southern
California, Chicago• Agribusiness: locations of key food
processors that are vertically integrated
As you are “Xing” or circling regions on your maps, jot alongthe side of the map whether you think the pattern is most
related to Phys, Pop or Agri.
The “Corn Belt”
Corn For Ethanol Means Less Corn For Food
Food for people, food for animals or food for cars?
This is what an ethanol plant looks like.
For this one, it might be easier to think about where the beef cows are NOT. Think back to what the Transformation of American Ag article said about the U.S. beef
industry.
America’s New
Dairyland!
Minnesota Agricultural Regions
Where is Minnesota’s ”Ag Region”?
Another New Use for MN Ag Land:Wind Power! Where? Why?
Think von Thunen!
EthanolHow Would You Explain the Location of Ethanol
Facilities?
Corn
Sugar Beets
Think von Thunen!
Think von Thunen!
Many Immigrants Employed in Minnesota Food Processing
Corn(and Ethanol)
Soybeans
Wheat
Beef
Dairy
Hogs
Turkeys
Chickens
Corn
and Ethanol
Soybeans
Sugar
Beets
Wheat
Hogs
Beef Turkeys
Dairy